Home-Launch

SAAM IS NOW OPEN!

We are booking tours Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM by appointment only.

UPSTAIRS

DOWNSTAIRS

Juneteenth (June 19th, 2021)

SAAM's Grand Opening!

Our historic Juneteenth Grand Opening was a huge success. Special thanks to the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning, our staff, and a host of volunteers and friends for making it happen.

OUR MISSION

To promote an understanding and appreciation of African American culture by creating programs that will preserve the past, encourage learning and enhance the life of the community. SAAM will research and collect local history, produce media events, create exhibits and community celebrations.

A Bit of SAAM History

The Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) began in 2005 under the name The East End African American Museum and Center for Excellence. Until now, it has functioned as a virtual museum—hosting events and exhibits in public spaces throughout Southampton Village—most notably the Annual Southampton African American Film Festival. Our NEW home for SAAM is located at 245 North Sea Road in Southampton, NY. Affectionally called “The Barbershop," the building was a local gathering place for area African Americans from the 1940s until its closing. In 2010, the Village Historic Preservation Board designated it as the first African American historic landmark in the Village of Southampton, and the process was started to transform it into our permanent space.

LEARN MORE

Transforming a Landmark

We are so excited to finally have a home for our community and a place to showcase our exhibits and host events. See how 245 North Sea Road has evolved from a gathering place of the past to a destination for the future—step by step!

VIEW OUR PROGRESS

Black Angels Over Tuskegee

Written & Directed by Layon Gray

The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen

Hamptons Arts Network Thaw Fest

Performance by Taylor Burgess

Southampton Historical Museum

SAAM 9th Annual Film Festival

Performance by artist J. Ivy with Certain Moves

Hosted at the Southampton Cultural Center September 2014

watch

"The opening of the Southampton African American Museum will educate our residents and visitors alike about all of our history and heritage and will enrich our community for years to come.”

"From Colonial Times to recent history, the presence and experience of African Americans in the Hampton's has been for the most part obscured. The Southampton African American Museum provides a space to showcase that experience and the valuable contributions that make the Hampton's the wonderful place that it is."

"As a retired museum director, I support all efforts made to preserve the heritage of a people. Their contributions to their environment and their way of life should never be forgotten and must be made visible for generations to come."

SAAM is located at
245 North Sea Road
in Southampton, NY

PHONE
631.353.3298

EMAIL
info@saamuseum.org

HOURS
FRI-SUN 11AM to 3PM
By Appointment Only