Preserving History. Centering Black Voices. Serving Community.
About the River Road African American Museum
Founded in 1994 and celebrating more than 32 years of impact, the River Road African American Museum (RRAAM) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in rural South Louisiana.
Located in Donaldsonville, in the heart of Louisiana’s River Parishes, RRAAM exists to tell Black history from a Black perspective—beyond enslavement and rooted in leadership, innovation, resilience, and community life.
Our Mission
The mission of the River Road African American Museum (RRAAM) is to educate visitors about the history and culture of African Americans in the rural communities of south Louisiana through the collection, preservation, and interpretation of art, artifacts, and historic buildings.
Purpose
RRAAM was established to address the absence and misrepresentation of African American history in traditional historical narratives, particularly in a region often defined by plantation tourism. While many sites focus on architecture and landowners, RRAAM centers the lives, labor, leadership, and cultural contributions of the African Americans who built and sustained this region.
Through exhibitions, historic preservation, education, and community engagement, the museum ensures these stories are told accurately, completely, and with dignity.