Center for African American History, Art & Culture

The center hosts lecture series, art shows, traveling exhibits and special events to celebrate, educate and preserve African American history, art & culture. Open to the public. Tours available; appointment needed for groups. ADA accessible.

Located in the former Immanuel School, built in 1889. The Immanuel School is significant for its association with the parochial education of African American children in Aiken and surrounding South Carolina counties from 1890-1932. The building itself is a particularly rare, intact example of Late Victorian vernacular school architecture as built for African-American schoolchildren in the late 19th century South. During the next decade the school was transformed into the Lincoln Theatre, a theatre for Aiken’s African American community during segregation. In 1942, the Redemptionist Fathers of South Carolina purchased the property and opened the St. Gerard’s Catholic School for African-American children. This privately funded school closed in 1964. Listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.