A Special Museum

An excerpt from the Associated Press -

'Black girl magic' on display at The Colored Girls Museum

By ERRIN HAINES WHACK

Nestled in Philadelphia's historic Germantown neighborhood, the Victorian facade of The Colored Girls Museum beckons visitors past its gate, up the flower-lined path and onto the inviting wraparound porch.

Inside, objects ranging from quilts to a bag of black-eyed peas honor the culture and experiences of what museum founder and artist Vashti Dubois calls "everyday black girls."

"This museum is a celebration of the ordinary, extraordinary colored girl," said Dubois. Referring to the house as a living thing, she adds: "She's speaking to the girl in us."

The 127-year-old home with high, earth-toned walls is filled with art, artifacts and treasures that take visitors on a communal journey of loss, joy, healing and memory.

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If You Go...

THE COLORED GIRLS MUSEUM: 4613 Newhall St., Philadelphia, http://www.thecoloredgirlsmuseum.com . Open Sundays noon-4 p.m. and by appointment. Suggested $10 donation. On July 9, the museum hosts its first pop-up festival at the Philadelphia Fringe Arts Center, a community dance party with music, artists and vendors in celebration of "black girl magic," a cultural catchphrase that has become a popular social media hashtag. This fall, the museum presents its first exhibit, "A Good Night's Sleep" at the center's Fringe Festival.

http://bigstory.ap.org/b1f17df03dfb40d0a3a5526398c4ea38