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Current exhibitions in Southampton African American Museum
UPSTAIRS
DOWNSTAIRS
BOTH/AND: AN EXPLORATION OF THE IDENTITIES OF BEING BLACK AND A WOMAN IN THE UNITED STATES
DIGITAL TAPESTRY
AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE
in Southampton African American Museum
Thank you for an amazing season
We are deeply grateful to all who visited, volunteered, and gave their support. Because of you, SAAM continues to share the stories that shaped our community and our nation.
Please consider including SAAM in your year-end giving.
Your contribution helps us sustain our mission, expand our programs, and keep our doors open to all.
With heartfelt thanks,
Brenda Simmons
Founder, President & CEO
Southampton African American Museum
What an amazing season at the Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) — the first designated African American landmark in the Village of Southampton, located on the historic site of Randy’s Barbershop.
In 2025, we celebrated art, music, and history with powerful programs and exhibitions, including:
Both/And: The Identities of Being Black and a Woman — created in collaboration with our local schools.
Doors Into My Life by Courtney Minor — a stunning exploration of self-discovery through art.
Our Juneteenth Celebration – “Music Matters” highlighted the East End’s rich musical legacy.
Art & Soul Hamptons weekend — featuring Shaunt’e Lewis’s bold new works and live African rhythms by Yacouba Sissoko.
The season closed with our Amistad Dance Ceremony at Culloden Beach and a historic collaboration connecting Montauk, Connecticut, and New Orleans in preserving the Amistad story.
UPCOMING EVENTS in Southampton African American Museum
Amistad Week 2025
A Week of Commemoration, Culture & Community
Join us for a week-long series of thought-provoking and celebratory events honoring the legacy of the Amistad and celebrating history, art, and community. From commemorative ceremonies to creative workshops, insightful film screenings, and engaging discussions, there is something for everyone.
RSVP for select events: eastvillechs@gmail.com
Learn more: Visit our website for updates and details.
Let’s come together to honor the Amistad legacy, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate the resilience of our community.
Schedule of Events
Tuesday, August 26 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Beach Commemorative Ceremony (Invitation-only)
• A private gathering honoring the Amistad with a special commemorative ceremony.
• Live music featuring the soulful sounds of traditional African instruments with the masterful Yacouba Sissoko on the kora and Mamoudou Konate on drums.
Wednesday, August 27 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Scoop N’ Paint at Second House Museum
• A fun, creative workshop for all ages with artist Michal A. Butler.
• Cost: $10
• RSVP required: eastvillechs@gmail.com
Thursday, August 28 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Evening of Celebration (Invitation-only)
• A private gathering celebrating community and culture.
Friday, August 29 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Putting Northern Slavery in Perspective
• Location: Ocean Institute, Montauk Lighthouse
• Film screening of The Film Itself: The Trade, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Eastville’s own Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, featuring distinguished guests from the Southampton African American Museum and other historical experts.
• RSVP required: eastvillechs@gmail.com
Saturday, August 30 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Making the Connection: Amistad Film Screening
• Location: Montauk Library
• Screening of the film Amistad, followed by a Connecting Panel discussion on lessons from the past and their relevance today, moderated by Karma Lemongrass.
• RSVP required: eastvillechs@gmail.com
SHAUNT'E LEWIS exhibition
Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, Shaunt’e relocated to Indiana in 2011 and has since built strong connections within the community, including collaborations with Visit Indy and the Indy Chamber. As a multidisciplinary artist with background in entrepreneurship and a deep passion for both illustration and fiber art, Shaunt’e continues to expand her creative horizons while inspiring and engaging audiences through her diverse and empowering works.
Southampton African American Museum 2024 SCHeDULe
January
January 13, 2023
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Opening Reception: SAAM collabs with Bold Art Society to connect high school and proffesional artists for Black History Month
Reception Featuring artist Mayowa Nwadike and Students from The Bold Society organization
Executive Director: Frank Bold www.boldartsociety.org
January 20, 2023
Hamptons Civil Rights Back Story Cell Phone Tour Launch
February
February 7, 2024
Black Joy with Brenda Simmons & Dr. Georgette Grier-Key on Zoom
May
May 25, 2024
5pm to 7pm
Opening Reception
Mayowa Nwadike
“What Is, What Was and What Could Be”
Curated by Jomani Danielle
June
June 15, 2024
Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Music by Mali Africa Master Kora player Yacouba Sissoko and his band SIYA Traditional Juneteenth Style BBQ
July
July 20, 2024
Opening Reception
Featuring Artist Alvin Clayton
July 25, 2024
Annual Founders Circle Fundraising
Southampton Inn
$150 general admission
$75 children (under 12)
$300 VIP
5:30 – 6pm VIP Reception
6 – 8pm Event
THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE CORNER
The Everyday People Corner is a monthly series highlighting individual residents of Southampton and the East End, including historical events, personal anecdotes and those kitchen table, barbershop and beauty shop stories. If you know of someone with wonderful memories; if you have a memory, a story about the ’Hood (from Da Hill to Azurest,) or the adventures of growing up on the East End; whether you are 30 generations of the land, migrated here for a new life, or came in the summers…. Let’s praise our everyday lives and everyday people!
Southampton African American Museum 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.
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!
TREASURE THE PAST: PYRRHUS CONCER
Pyrrhus Concer was born on March 17, 1814 to an enslaved mother, Violet; following her status, he too became the property (whether technically a slave or an indentured servant) of his mother’s owner Captain Nathan Cooper in Southampton. Subsequently, Concer was sold to Mr. Elias Pelletreau II for the sum of $25.00. Five years old at the time of his sale, Concer had no choice regarding his transfer, leaving his mother behind when he was still a young child. Even after slavery ended in 1826, Pyrrhus Concer apparently remained in the Pelletreau household until he was about 26 years old.
SAAM is located at
245 North Sea Road
in Southampton, NY
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