Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum

06/13/2026

The stories people leave behind are becoming part of the exhibit itself. 👒👑

One visitor shared:

“Being joyful is what I like every day. A happy day, do not be sad. Be happy. There is a lot of stuff to do in your life.”

Another reflected on the tradition of covering her head while praying as a Sikh woman and thanked us for sharing the beauty of headwear across cultures.

These thoughtful notes remind us that The Head That Wears The Crown is about more than hats. It’s about identity, memory, culture, faith, joy, and the stories we carry with us.

We invite you to experience the exhibit, add your own reflection, and see how headwear has shaped lives across generations and communities.

📍 Open at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (📍 189 Hollow Rd., (SSAAM) Skillman, NJ)
🗓 June 13, June 20 & June 24
⏰ 10 AM–1 PM

📍 Also on display at Montgomery Public Library throughout June (📍 71 Main St bldg.3, Flemington, NJ 08822)

Have you visited yet? We’d love to hear what your crown represents. ✨

06/04/2026

Somerset County BizFest Expo today from 2–5 PM at TD Bank Ballpark!

As first timers, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum is greatly looking forward to meeting community members from across the region and sharing the exciting exhibits, programs, and events we have planned for 2026.

Stop by our table, say hello, take a selfie, and learn how we’re preserving and celebrating the rich African American history of the Sourland Mountain region.

📍 TD Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater
🕑 Today, 2–5 PM

We hope to see you there! 👋🏾🫶🏾

06/03/2026

Many of you will remember when we celebrated Mother Evelyn Brooks in SSAAM’s “Daughter’s of the Sourland’s” Exhibit (on her 100th birthday). Our beloved Nana (and SSAAM’s oldest supporter) turned 105 this year!

As we celebrated our New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker unveiling and SSAAM’s 10th Anniversary, Nana joined us once again. While speakers encouraged attendees to ask their elders about their stories, we watched young students sit beside Nana, ask questions, and listen.

Those moments are what made the day so meaningful.

Nana’s life is woven into the history of the Sourlands, and seeing a new generation eager to learn from her was a powerful reminder that history isn’t only found in books.. it lives in people.

This is how our shared story is carried forward. 🤎

06/02/2026

We are still overwhelmed by the support following our New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker unveiling and the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

As a small museum, we know organizations like ours can sometimes be overlooked online. That’s why seeing more than 700 likes, over 200 shares, so many posts from all of you, and so many thoughtful comments and messages has meant so much to us.

Please continue to tag us in your posts; we enjoy seeing these moments through your eyes. 🫶🏽

At SSAAM, we often talk about “points of light”—moments, places, and people that help us better understand one another. We hope that when you visit SSAAM, attend a program, or engage with our work, you experience one of those points of light through our commitment to preserving and sharing African American history.

This past weekend, you were a part of that light.

We are especially grateful to the volunteers, partners, performers, faith leaders, descendants, elected officials, businesses, and community members who helped make the day so memorable. From the Lawrence High School Gospel Choir to the desserts provided by Pink Little Cake and Libby’s Sweet Escape, every contribution helped make this celebration special.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who has supported SSAAM over the last decade. Your support helps preserve and share the stories of African Americans in New Jersey for generations to come.

06/01/2026

What a day for history, heritage, and community.

On May 30, 2026, we proudly unveiled our New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker honoring the enduring legacy of Mt. Zion AME Church in Skillman, New Jersey. The occasion also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

We were honored to welcome distinguished guests, including Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Dr. Dale Caldwell, Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis, Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson, representatives from the New Jersey Historical Commission, faith leaders, scholars, descendants, and community advocates.

The uplifting voices of the Lawrence High School Gospel Choir filled the grounds with joy, reminding us that history is not simply remembered—it is carried forward through education, preservation, and community.

Thank you to the New Jersey Historical Commission and the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail for helping bring this recognition to life, and to Pink Little Cake and Libby’s Sweet Escape for the beautiful desserts that made our celebration even sweeter.

To everyone who attended, supported, volunteered, and believed in this work over the past decade: thank you. Together, we ensure that the stories of African Americans in New Jersey are seen, heard, and celebrated.

Here’s to the next chapter.

Follow SSAAM to join us in uncovering, preserving, and celebrating African American history in Central New Jersey.

05/28/2026

Please join us this Saturday, May 30, for a special unveiling ceremony honoring the historic Mt. Zion AME Church and celebrating SSAAM’s 10th anniversary. We’d love to celebrate with you!

Share this with a friend.

Join the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) and New Jersey Historical Commission on Saturday, May 30, 2026 for the dedication and unveiling of a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker honoring the enduring legacy of the historically Black Mt. Zion AME Church in Skillman, New Jersey at 11:30am. We will also be celebrating SSAAM's 10th anniversary!

05/27/2026

Before there was independence, there was sacrifice and stories like Pvt. William Stives deserve to be remembered. 🇺🇸

Last weekend, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and Stoutsburg Cemetery hosted “Freedom’s Fife,” presented by the Coalition for African American Performers in honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

The program honored African American Pvt. William Stives of Hopewell Township, who served as a fifer for George Washington and the Continental Army for five years.

A heartfelt thank you to all descendants who attended! Your presence made the day even more meaningful and helped bring this history full circle.

Thank you to the Mercer County Culture & Heritage Commission, private donors, the Hopewell Old School Baptist Meeting House, and Hopewell Presbyterian Church for helping preserve and share this important local history.

And a special thank you to Hopewell Presbyterian Church for hosting the event in their beautiful sanctuary and reception hall and helping bring this important story to life.

05/23/2026

General applications and scholarship applications remain open until May 29th at 11:59pm! Don’t miss your chance to have your teen involved in our inaugural Community Empowerment Academy! Finished general applications should be emailed to [email protected] and scholarship applications can be found using the QR code below!