Andrea Burns explores the phenomenon of growning African American neighbourhood museums. She says leaders of the Black museum movement were contesting and reinterpreting traditional depictions of African and African American history and culture before mainstream museums acknowledged African American history.

Starting in the 1960s and 1970s, Burns shows that the African American museums that emerged challenged and re-created new national memories and identities that incorporated the ideas, events, objects, and places tied to black history. The museums represented alternative or free spaces carved out of cultural landscapes that have consistently marginalised minorities.

All the museums in this study have the same thematic characteristics that impact the development of their institutions and work. They were all (1) all were based in major metropolises, and (2) the black populations in those cities were increasing.

At the conclusion, Burns argues the national African American museum ignited a competitive spark, and local African American museums that have become detached from their community might be invigorated.

I enjoyed the book, but I was not totally convinced with Burns argument.