Welcome to the Museum

We look forward to welcoming you to the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center (HCSMCC), where history comes alive through the stories of the students, educators, families, and community members who shaped African American education and life in Havre de Grace and Harford County.

​

Whether you are visiting for an hour, bringing a school or community group, or planning a full day or weekend in Havre de Grace, we invite you to explore the stories, history, and legacy preserved here.

​

Museum Hours

Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

​

Admission

Admission to the Museum is free. Donations are encouraged and help support our exhibitions, educational programs, historic preservation efforts, and community programming.

​

Accessibility

The Museum’s main level is wheelchair accessible.

The lower level includes the historic Langston Hughes Room, where renowned poet and author Langston Hughes met with students and delivered lectures during visits to the school. Due to the historic configuration of the building, the lower level is not currently open for general visitor access and is not wheelchair accessible.

As part of the Museum’s ongoing restoration, plans are being developed to improve accessibility and meet applicable safety and building requirements so that this historically significant space can be made available to visitors in the future.

​

Guided Tours & Group Visits

Guided tours of the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center are available to individuals and groups and provide an opportunity to learn more about the historic school, its students and educators, and the Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.

​

Tour Information

• Guided tours are available to individuals and groups.

• Tours generally last 30 minutes to one hour.

• Tours are free of charge.

• Groups of 10 or more should make arrangements in advance.

• Larger groups may require special arrangements.​

​​

Groups of 10 or More

The HCSMCC welcomes groups of 10 or more to experience the Museum and learn about the history and legacy of the Havre de Grace Colored School and the African American experience in Harford County.

​

Groups of 10 or more are asked to submit a visit request at least two weeks in advance. Advance notice allows us to make the necessary arrangements to provide your group with the best possible Museum experience.

​

To request a group visit, please complete the attached application and contact the Museum to confirm receipt of your request.  Click here to complete the application.

​​

Contact the museum at 410-939-1839, Wed through Saturday, between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m.Email: contact@hdgcoloredschool.com

​

Schools & Student Groups

Bring History to Life for Your Students!

The HCSMCC welcomes middle and high school students, colleges, homeschool groups, youth organizations, and other educational groups.

​

Student visits provide an opportunity to explore African American education, segregation and integration, civil rights, local history, historic preservation, and the experiences of the students and educators who attended the Havre de Grace Colored School.

​

To request an educational group visit, please complete the application using the link below and contact the Museum to confirm that your request was received.  Click here for the application.

​​

Contact the museum at 410-939-1839, Wed through Saturday, between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Email: contact@hdgcoloredschool.com

​

Parking

Free on-site parking is available for Museum visitors.

​

Holiday Closures

The Museum is closed in observance of the following holidays:

New Year’s Day
Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
American Indian Heritage Day
Christmas Day

When an observed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Museum may observe the holiday on the preceding Friday or following Monday.

​

Make a Day of It — Explore Havre de Grace!

Make your Museum visit part of a full day—or weekend—exploring Havre de Grace and Harford County!

Located at the top of the Chesapeake Bay, historic Havre de Grace offers museums and historic landmarks, beautiful waterfront views, parks and trails, unique shops and restaurants, arts and entertainment, and year-round events.

There is plenty to experience before and after your visit to the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center.

​

​Visiting on a First Friday? Stay for the Evening!

If your Museum visit falls on a First Friday, make a full day of it and stay to enjoy one of Havre de Grace’s signature downtown events.

First Friday is traditionally celebrated on the first Friday of the month from May through October. Downtown Havre de Grace comes alive with live music, artists and artisans, food, local restaurants, shopping, vendors, family activities, and entertainment.

​

Visit the Museum during the day, explore Havre de Grace and its waterfront in the afternoon, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, and experience First Friday in the evening. See the link below for more information.​

​

Visiting on a Saturday? Start at the Farmers Market!

If you are visiting the Museum on a Saturday, consider beginning your day at the Havre de Grace Farmers Market.

The Farmers Market's regular season is traditionally held on Saturdays from May through December. Visitors can shop for locally grown produce and other locally produced foods, baked goods, plants, handmade products, arts and crafts, and offerings from area farmers, artisans, and small businesses.

​

After the Farmers Market, continue your morning with a visit to the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

Click here to learn more:  Havre de Grace Farmers Market

​

Explore the Waterfront & Historic Havre de Grace

While you are here, discover more of what makes Havre de Grace a special destination.

​

Explore the waterfront and Promenade, visit the historic Concord Point Lighthouse, discover additional museums and historic sites, enjoy the city’s shops and restaurants, or simply spend some time taking in the views where the Susquehanna River meets the Chesapeake Bay.

​

Discover More of Harford County

Extend your visit beyond Havre de Grace and discover the history, culture, recreation, dining, parks, and attractions found throughout Harford County.

​

From historic sites and museums to parks, trails, arts, shopping, dining, and special events, there is plenty to explore throughout the county.​

​

Come for the History. Stay for the Experience.

We invite you to discover the Havre de Grace Colored School Museum and Cultural Center, explore historic Havre de Grace, and experience all that Harford County has to offer.

​

Click here to plan your Harford County experience.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​