The African American Heritage Museum focuses on teaching viewers about the history of African Americans in Minnesota, according to civil rights attorney and co-founder of the museum Tina Burnside.

Burnside said the museum covers topics such as African Americans’ long-standing history in Minnesota.

“What people will experience is the history of African Americans in the state of Minnesota. African Americans have been in the States since the 1800s and a lot of people probably aren’t aware of that,” Burnside said. “You will learn all about history of African Americans in Minnesota, about the culture, about the arts, about how African Americans have contributed to the growth and the vibrancy of the state of Minnesota.”

Burnside said African American history is a major part of neglected US history and it needs to be told by people of color.

“African Americans’ history is American history and I think it’s really important for people to learn about the history of Minnesota in a full picture,” Burnside said. “Other people of color have contributed to the state of Minnesota, and it really needs to be the whole picture of history of the state. A lot of times what is taught in school is history taught in the perspective of white people, and there is very little inclusiveness of contributions of other people have made to the state.”

Sophomore Olivia Etz said it is great to teach about history that includes everyone.

“I think it’s important we share everyone’s history and educate people about everything,” Etz said.

Burnside said the museum focuses on teaching about the life of African American women living in hard times and settling in Minnesota.

“(There are) some amazing trailblazing women that were suffragist, evolutionist and civil rights leaders during that time. We also focus on the Great Migration when African Americans moved North because they were facing some racial segregation, racial oppression and leeching — lack of jobs — so they moved North in masses for better opportunities and better life,” Burnside said.

Sophomore Roselyne Iwundo said the museum is a great learning opportunity and she would be interested in going herself.

“I think the African American Heritage Museum is a really good thing because we need to learn more about African Americans and how they fought for rights because at school they teach about slavery, but there is more than that to us. I would most definitely go if I have the chance,” Iwundo said.

Burnside said the museum honors all of the African American soldiers who served in both world wars with a memorable board devoted to them.

“We also have a special panel that honors African American who served in World War I and World War II at the time when the military was still segregated,” Burnside said.

Sophomore Chloe Flynn said she thinks it is great to teach more to the history of African Americans than just slavery and would like to go to the museum.

“I think that it is a great thing that there is now an African American museum to teach not just slavery. We need something like that about other things.”

Burnside said the museum welcomes everyone to learn about African American history in Minnesota.

“We just want everybody to come out and go to the museum and everyone is welcomed. And the museum is free, so admission is free and we would want for everybody to come out and learn about African American history in the state of Minnesota,” Burnside said.

The African American Heritage Museum is free of admission and is open from 1- 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is located at 1256 Penn Ave North in Minneapolis.