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Current Exhibits

Black History Exhibit 2024

First African Baptist Church

Historically, the Black church has been one of the most important institutions in the Black community. The Black church offered a reprieve from the segregated world of the past, creating a place for African Americans to come together in community to advance their dreams and celebrate their faith and culture.

First African Baptist Church was founded in 1864. The congregation had formerly belonged to the segregated First Baptist Church. The Black congregation began raising funds in order to build their own separate church, in which they could worship, sing, and gather in a manner that they chose for themselves. The original FAB church was a very modest wood-frame building, located on Pine Street It was the very first Black church in Goldsboro at that time.

The humble original church building on Pine Street was eventually replaced to make more room for the growing congregation by a newer, larger brick version in 1924. The Pine St. church burned down in 1973, and once again the determined congregation started saving money for a new church. The large, modern, new church building on Harris St was dedicated in 1978.

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the founding of First African Baptist Church.

It’s Church family is a vibrant, committed and long-standing congregation, and First African remains a vital, spiritual pillar in the local Black community. The church takes pride in still upholding their mission statement of “Encouraging Hearts, Changing Lives, and Saving Souls.” The 2024 Black History exhibit is entitled “Rooted in Faith” and will celebrate aspects of this remarkable, historic church. The exhibit is free and runs until May 25th.


Wayne County History Gallery

Our Wayne County History Gallery is filled with unique artifacts and photographs from Wayne County’s long and diverse history. Come see the Korschun Galleries which highlight our county’s Jewish history. Check out the Wall of Fame filled with some of Wayne County’s prominent and influential citizens. Learn about the many local businesses and entrepreneurs that called Wayne County home.


Medical Gallery

Our Medical Gallery displays many of the vast and unique medical implements used in early twentieth medicine. We also have a collection of hand drawn sketches of the several hospitals Wayne County has had throughout the decades.  Learn about many of the local doctors from the past. See the instruments used and old medicine bottles, many with their original labels, as well as several medical books that were used for reference and education!


Military Gallery

Our Military Gallery is housed upstairs in our Ballroom. The gallery highlights much of our local history during major conflicts such as the Civil War, WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam war. Come check out the uniforms from these different eras of our military past as well as weaponry, flags, swords, and many more exciting artifacts and displays!


Education

The museum is also available for field trips. Teachers can bring their students into the museum to learn about all the different historical aspects of Wayne County. If you are a educator interested in bringing your students to the museum, please contact us to schedule your field trip!