ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Woodson African American Museum is having its grand reopening Saturday, and large crowds are expected to see the new and improved space.
The Woodson closed its doors in January to undergo a $1 million renovation — funding it got from the state after the last Gas Plant Redevelopment plan that included the museum was canceled.
“Through all the delays that occurred within the city, we still had the funding. So, we pivoted and went back to the state and got approval to use the funding for renovation of this existing space,” said Woodson lead curator Manitia Moultrie.
The project included new floors, an expanded exhibit space, bathroom upgrades and more.
“The renovation included expanding the entrance to the museum, removing some of the storage areas and making that more available for orientation space, modifying the office space, adding additional restrooms. Taking our very small and compact kitchen and turning it into a catering kitchen,” Moultrie said. “This came out to be much more broader and expansive and beautiful than we imagined.”
The renovation project is wrapping up on the heels of the announcement of the recently announced Gas Plant Redevelopment plan that has the Woodson as one of the anchors of the project.
“We recognize it’s years in the making. We know the Woodson is on the forefront,” Moultrie said. “And we hope as this moves forward, by the end of the year, we will know more so we can start the timeline and go forward.”
Museum officials say they’re excited about what is possibly to come with this newly approved Gas Plant project and they plan to use the renovation to show how impactful the Black history museum is.
The current exhibit on display is titled, “Many Voices, One Nation — Our Community.” It also includes two large murals by artist Najee Dorsey.
“That came through a grant and funding through Florida Humanities in partnership with the Smithsonian,” Moultrie said. “So, we have content that was provided by the Smithsonian. And that content is in panels that tell the story in America’s founding and becoming the U.S.”
The Woodson museum’s grand reopening is at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The event will start with a short ceremony out front, followed by a viewing of the exhibit. The Woodson is located at 2240 9th Ave. S., in St. Petersburg.
Saundra Weathers
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