Southampton African American Museum — a Black Hamptons highlight

As Covid finally seemed to wind down a couple of years ago, I got an invitation to attend the inaugural benefit party for Southampton’s new African American Museum (SAAM). “This,” I thought, “is just the thing to appeal to my history buff-pals Jean Garret and Roy Paul.” We secured our tickets without hesitation. And we’ve returned together, ever since.

With our museum tour completed that first year, we retreated a short distance to the terrace adjoining Blu Mar. What refreshing drinks, endless yummy canapés and sparkling conversations awaited us there!

A village landmark, in the 1940’s the museum’s charming shingled building served as a barbershop and beauty parlor. It was a gathering place with importance, providing community for transplanted Black townspeople and a second only church.