Skillman, NJ – On September 20, the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) will open The Head that Wears the Crown, a special exhibition on Black women’s headwear from slavery to freedom.

For centuries, Black women have expressed their creativity and resistance through the crowns of their heads. From head wraps to “church hats,” headwear symbolized freedom, commitment to spiritual life, and a love for fashion that enslaved and free women shared. The Head that Wears the Crown explores the past, present, and future of African American women’s headwear. This special exhibit will feature portrait photography of community members of all ages modeling SSAAM’s collection of church hats, which date from the 1930s to the 2000s.

On Friday, September 20, SSAAM will hold an opening reception at the Reasoner-True House, a historically Black-owned property on Hollow Road in Skillman. Guests will be invited to the National Historic Register-listed Mt. Zion AME Church to view The Head that Wears the Crown and hear a talk from guest curator Kyra March. Rutgers University doctoral student Kyra March will open the exhibit with a presentation on the rich history of Black women’s headwear from the 18th century to the present day. SSAAM encourages guests to come dressed in their hats or headwear that reflects their personal style!

On Saturday, September 21, SSAAM invites community members to visit Mt. Zion AME Church to view the exhibit during the museum’s regular open hours.

The Head that Wears the Crown is part of SSAAM’s celebration of the 125th anniversary of Mt. Zion AME Church, the museum’s home. The National Historic Register-listed property was constructed in 1899 and served an active congregation until 2005. In January, SSAAM was one of 31 institutions—out of more than 500 applicants—to receive a Preserving Black Churches Grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to create public programming sharing the story of Black faith, freedom, culture, and creativity at Mt. Zion AME Church. This grant, along with generous support from the Princeton University Art Museum, made this exhibit possible.

Please RSVP here and reserve your spot. Tickets are pay-what-you-can.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/20: Opening Reception from 6 PM - 8 PM

Saturday, 9/21: Open hours at SSAAM from 11 AM - 1 PM

Location: 183 Hollow Rd., Skillman, NJ 08558

SSAAM’s mission is to tell the story of the unique culture, experiences, and contributions of the African American community of the Sourland Mountain region.

For more information, visit: https://www.ssaamuseum.org/church-hats-exhibit