Explore Nassau County, Long Island’s Black History at the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County.
Discover the rich Black history of Long Island at the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County. Since 1970, the Hempstead institution has served as the hub of Black art, history, and culture on Long Island.
The 6,000-square-foot facility features the work of both local and national Black artists and preserves Black history through a series of rotating exhibits. Exhibitions have featured portraits of prominent Black leaders and famed jazz performers, looked at as Black royals, and the hidden contributions of Black Americans through exhibits like “The Women of NASA.”
Today, music, educational programs, and community events are cornerstones of the museum experience. There are film screenings, lectures, and arts and crafts workshops.
Melomaniacs will also appreciate the museum’s music preservation project, a collection of more than 500 LPs, 300 45s, and 100 78s.
The history of the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County
The museum’s roots date back to 1968 when Nassau Community College Professor Leroy Leonardo Ramsey set up an exhibit at the school for Black History Month. It received so much attention that it became permanent. Ramsey periodically added artifacts from his personal collection to the exhibit.
As the exhibit outgrew its initial space, Professor Leroy Leonardo Ramsey established the Black History Exhibit Center at 106-A Main Street in Hempstead.
In 1984, Deputy County Executive Russell Service successfully urged Professor Leroy Leonardo Ramsey to transform the Black History Exhibit Center into the African American Museum of Nassau County. Following this, Nassau County purchased a building at 110 North Franklin Street in Hempstead, which was renovated to house the new museum. The museum officially opened at this location in September 1985.
In 2005, American Legacy Magazine awarded it the Museum Preservation Award for its work to preserve African American history and culture.
In 2021, the museum was renamed after Joysetta Pearse, the museum’s longtime director, and her husband Julius Pearse, a descendant of slaves who became the first Black police officer in Freeport Village. Joysetta passed away that same year and Julius died in 2024. They were 82 and 91 respectively.
“I wanted to bring information to people about people no one knew anything about who did wonderful things,” Joysetta Pearse told Newsday in 2021, just before her death. “So many Black people had been told they had no history except that they were slaves—that makes you feel either ashamed or angry, and I wanted to show a more balanced view.”
The African Atlantic Genealogical Society is based in the museum
The Pearses brought their passion to the African Atlantic Genealogical Society, which they founded in 1994. Housed in the museum, the society has helped more than 300 people whose ancestors were from Africa or crossed the Atlantic Ocean to learn about their family history.
It offers workshops and lectures and teaches visitors how to research their family trees. As an affiliate of the FamilySearch Library, the group has access to millions of genealogical records.
Those interested in learning more about their family history can book a free, first genealogical consultation with the society. Membership in the society is $25 a year.
Plan your visit to the Joysetta & Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County
Hours: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and by appointment only on Mondays
Location: 110 N. Franklin St. in Hempstead, NY 11549
Admission: $5
Phone: 516-572-0730
Website
Did you visit the African American Museum of Nassau County? Share your pics with @VisitNassauCountyLI.
