Johns Hopkins employees, students offered free admission to Reginald F. Lewis Museum

For the second year in a row, Johns Hopkins students, faculty, staff, and their families will be offered free admission to Baltimore's Reginald F. Lewis Museum in celebration of Black History Month. The second annual Johns Hopkins Day at the museum takes place Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Last year, more than 600 university affiliates and their guests visited the museum, which examines the history of African-Americans in the U.S. and in Maryland. The event is made possible through a grant from Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine.

"There are many Black History Month activities and events that take place across the institution and health system. With Johns Hopkins Day at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, we have organized an event that includes the whole family," says Nondie Hemphill, a research and policy analyst with the Johns Hopkins Office of Government and Community Affairs, which organizes the event. "It's exciting to bring people to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, which is a real gem located right here in our own back yard."

In addition to free admission, attendees can enjoy 15 percent off museum merchandise. There will also be dinner specials and kids meals available for purchase.

Two special exhibitions are currently on display at the museum, which was endowed in 2002 by Baltimore-born lawyer and businessman Reginald Lewis. The first exhibit, Freedom: Emancipation Quilted and Stitched, is a series of quilts created by MICA fabric artist Joan M.E. Gaither that tell, documentary-style, the stories of people of color in Maryland. Also on special exhibition is Reflections: Intimate Portraits of Iconic African Americans, which presents photographs of renowned black Americans in their homes. Johns Hopkins Day will also include admission to view the 10th annual High School Juried Art Show, which includes art by Maryland teens.

There are also three permanent collections on display at the museum that explore the stories of families and communities torn apart by the slave trade, the legacy of exploitation and slave labor used to build America, and the lasting contributions of African-Americans to art, culture, and education.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is located at 830 E. Pratt St. in Baltimore. Validated parking will be available for $7 at the garage located across the street at 815 E. Pratt St.