Learn more about this business on Yelp.
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is an interdisciplinary cultural center that promotes cultural, educational, and artistic excellence and fosters research and education of African and African American heritage. The Chattanooga African American Museum was founded in 1983 to provide sources of curricula, historical references, creative works, and the media about the identity of Africans and African Americans, particularly those of Chattanooga. Civil War era exhibits include discussion of the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. What is now one organization began as two that were distinctly seperate. Over the past 29 years, the Bessie Smith Performance Hall developed a strong brand within the Chattanooga community. As a result of an extensive strategic planning process and to generate an overall awareness of what the one entity offers to Chattanooga, surrounding areas, and the southeastern region, the Chattanooga African American Museum/Bessie Smith Performance Hall was renamed the Bessie Smith Cultural Center (African American Museum & Performance Hall) in 2009. The center is affectionally referred to as “The Bessie.”
Visiting the Bessie Smith Cultural Center was a spectacular experience! As a native Chattanoogan, I had never had the pleasure of attending before, but my visit today blowed me away! This museum... Read more
Had a chance to visit here twice in 2 days. The first day was learning more about Bessie Smith by viewing the posters and artwork within the center and reading about the different people she came... Read more
I love Bessie Smith and I loved this museum. It was absolutely amazing all the accomplishments of African Americans over the years. As an African American you feel so proud of all the accomplishments. Read more
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
Hours
- Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sat: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Problem with this listing? Let us know.
Has RV parking changed? Let us know.
-
Parking
-
Pets Allowed
-
Restrooms
-
Wifi
-
Wheelchair Accessible
-
Credit Cards Accepted
Parking
Nearby Hotels
Related Trip Guides
The top things to do on a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip
- 85 Places
- 36:11
- 1,293 mi
The top things to do on an I-40 road trip
- 35 Places
- 49:44
- 2,851 mi
Things to do in Nashville
- 9 Places