This past spring, I interned with the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. This is one of the many gems of the Metro Detroit area. Located on Michigan Avenue just west of Detroit across from the Dearborn City Hall, the museum has been a cornerstone of education and art in the community since 2005.

The front of the Arab American National Museum

Upon entering the museum, you are presented with both a library and gift shop to your left and right. I recommend anyone interested in learning or researching about Arab Americans to visit this library. There are many great resources from comic books with Arab American heroes and documents on family histories. The main room just past the gift shop is the most impressive. The room features a beautiful painted dome that sits on the center of the room’s high ceiling.

The beautiful dome of the museum

Inside this main room, visitors can learn about the history of some of the many contributions Arabs have made to the world. Throughout the rest of the museum, you explore the journey of an Arab immigrant moving to the Untied States in the “Coming to America” exhibit, establishing themselves in this country in the “Living in America” exhibit, and making a name for themselves in the “Making an Impact” exhibit. The basement of the museum also houses great art and an auditorium that hosts great music, comedy shows, and theatrical performances throughout the year.

The second floor of the museum

In a time where Arab Americans are struggling to combat stereotypes and racism, the Arab American National Museum offers a great place to educate and immerse people in a beautiful culture. Since the museum is located in the heart of Dearborn, a city with the largest concentration of Arabs outside of the Middle East, Museum-goers can top off their cultural experience by visiting one of the many Middle Eastern restaurants, cafes, or bakeries nearby.

The first floor of the museum

To learn more about the museum, visit arabamericanmuseum.org. Here, you will find information about the museum as well as a number of useful resources. For information about Arab American stereotypes, you can visit the museum’s website that is dedicated to dismantling Arab stereotypes at arabstereotypes.org. Here, you will find one of my favorite resources at the museum: condensed Story Corp recordings from Arab Americans (a project that I worked on as an intern).

The “Living in America” museum

The Detroit area is home to one of the most culturally diverse populations in the nation. There are many more beautiful places to discover, and I hope to continue my journey of exploring them and sharing them with you!

(All photos taken from arabamericanmuseum.org)