Crispus Attucks History and Culture Center will honor York's African-American history
For over 90 years, Crispus Attucks York (CAY) has led the community in providing social services and wholistic support to help all people learn, work, and thrive. Now, they are expanding their purview to include historical and cultural education through their newest endeavor - the Crispus Attucks History and Culture Center. The 19,450-square-foot award-winning facility, set to open in January 2025 with a construction budget of $12.5 million, will honor, celebrate, preserve, and educate the living history and traditions of African Americans within CAY as well as the greater York community and beyond.
Over the past year, the quiet phase of the capital campaign to raise funds for the building has already reached $5.7 million thanks to the generosity of various corporate, foundation, and individual donors, as well as a total of $6 million PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds. To mark the official beginning of the public phase, CAY held a kickoff event on January 24th, attended by both dignitaries and community members ready and willing to support this historic project. Through this phase of the campaign, CAY’s goal is to raise a total of $150,000.
The Crispus Attucks History and Culture Center will educate the public on York’s history of slavery, segregation, civil unrest, social injustice, and activism for the purpose of using this knowledge to aim toward change and create a better future. Other content will also focus on the lived experiences of other minorities in York, such as those of Latinx and AAPI Yorkers. By bringing diverse communities together through the combined narratives of art, cultural, and historical treasures, the Center will also seek to enhance understanding among people.
The building will house ever-evolving exhibit galleries featuring both the history of Crispus Attucks York as well as that of African Americans in York, Pennsylvania, and the United States; a genealogy bar; and various event spaces. Much of the strategy of this new institution centers around programming, including multiple lecture series, community art and music festivals, and so much more.
Crispus Attucks York would especially like to thank all of York’s major foundations for their continued support towards this momentous project and CAY’s mission.