The African American Museum at The England Manor

The African American Museum at The England Manor We're an African American museum in Waukegan, IL that focuses on history, culture, and education. Visit: www.theenglandmanor.com
Donate: https://bit.ly/4qMyuXV

The only comprehensive African American Museum in Lake County, Illinois.

🎤✨ **On This Day in Black History: September 4, 1981** ✨🎤Today we celebrate the 45th birthday of **Beyoncé Giselle Knowl...
09/04/2026

🎤✨ **On This Day in Black History: September 4, 1981** ✨🎤

Today we celebrate the 45th birthday of **Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter**, one of the most influential entertainers, performers, and cultural icons of her generation.

Born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé began singing and performing as a child before rising to international fame as a member of **Destiny’s Child**. Her journey from a young Houston performer to a global superstar has helped reshape popular music, performance, fashion, and Black culture around the world.

🎶 **The Destiny’s Child Years**

Beyoncé rose to prominence in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child. The group became one of the most successful girl groups in music history, producing hits that introduced millions of listeners to their signature blend of R&B, pop, and powerful messages of confidence and independence.

🌟 **Becoming a Solo Superstar**

In 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, *Dangerously in Love*. The project launched an extraordinary solo career and included major hits such as “Crazy in Love.”

Over the years, she continued to evolve as an artist through albums including *B’Day*, *I Am... Sasha Fierce*, *4*, *Beyoncé*, *Lemonade*, *Renaissance*, and *Cowboy Carter*.

🏆 **A Record-Breaking Legacy**

Beyoncé has become one of the most celebrated artists in music history. Her career has been defined not only by commercial success, but also by ambitious performances, visual storytelling, entrepreneurship, and an unmistakable celebration of Black culture.

Her work has highlighted Black history, Southern traditions, HBCU culture, African and African American musical influences, fashion, dance, and generations of Black creativity.

✊🏾 **Celebrating Black Culture on a Global Stage**

From her historic *Homecoming* performance inspired by HBCU traditions to projects such as *Lemonade*, *Black Is King*, *Renaissance*, and *Cowboy Carter*, Beyoncé has consistently used one of the world’s largest platforms to spotlight Black artistry and cultural traditions.

At 45 years old, her story continues to demonstrate the worldwide influence of Black music, creativity, innovation, and excellence.

🎂 **Happy 45th Birthday, Beyoncé!**

**What Beyoncé song, album, performance, or cultural moment has had the biggest impact on you, and why?** 👇🏾

🐟 FISH FRY FUNDRAISER & SIP & SEEFriday, September 18, 2026🍽️ Lunch: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM🍽️ Dinner: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM📍 T...
09/03/2026

🐟 FISH FRY FUNDRAISER & SIP & SEE

Friday, September 18, 2026

🍽️ Lunch: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
🍽️ Dinner: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📍 The African American Museum at The England Manor
503 N. Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

Come Eat. See What's New. Support the Museum.

This is more than a fish fry!

Come enjoy a delicious meal, spend time with members of our museum family, explore the museum, and hear about what we've been working on and what we have planned next.

We'll be sharing information about upcoming programs, events, Black history experiences, volunteer opportunities, and ways you can become more involved with the museum.

Most importantly, your support helps us continue preserving African American history, educating our community, and sharing these important stories with future generations.

⚠️ PRE-ORDERING IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

Help us make sure we prepare enough food for everyone by ordering your fish plate in advance.

👉 PRE-ORDER YOUR FISH PLATE
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fish-fry-plate

Can't attend?

You can still support the museum by making a donation through the same link.

❤️ MAKE A DONATION
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/fish-fry-plate

👀 SIP & SEE WHAT'S NEW

While you're here, take some time to reconnect with the museum and learn about what's ahead.

We want our members, friends, families, and community to see the work being done and discover new ways to be part of it.

We are also looking for volunteers to assist with our many museum programs, events, tours, fundraisers, and community activities.

Interested? Come talk with us at the Fish Fry!

👥 BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU

Know someone who has never visited The England Manor?

Bring a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker and introduce them to the museum.

The more people who experience the museum, the more people we can reach with our mission.

📲 HELP US SPREAD THE WORD

Visit our Facebook Event, let us know you're coming, invite your friends, and share it with your community.

👉 VIEW & SHARE THE FACEBOOK EVENT
https://www.facebook.com/share/1E61qGUvyi/

📅 NEVER MISS A MUSEUM EVENT

We have much more coming up!

Add all of The African American Museum at The England Manor's upcoming events directly to your calendar so you can stay connected with everything we're doing.

👉 ADD OUR EVENTS TO YOUR CALENDAR
https://bit.ly/4dbOmgK

🐟 COME EAT.
👀 SEE WHAT'S NEW.
❤️ SUPPORT THE MUSEUM.

We hope to see you on Friday, September 18!

Thank you for continuing to support our mission and helping us preserve and share African American history.

The African American Museum at The England Manor

📍 503 N. Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL 60085

📞 (224) 409-3421
🌐 www.theenglandmanor.com

🚂 On This Day in Black History: September 3, 1838 🚂On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass made a daring escape from sl...
09/03/2026

🚂 On This Day in Black History: September 3, 1838 🚂

On September 3, 1838, Frederick Douglass made a daring escape from slavery in Baltimore, Maryland, beginning a journey that would transform him into one of the most powerful voices for freedom and equality in American history.

At just 20 years old, Douglass risked everything for the chance to be free.

⚓ Disguised as a Free Sailor

Douglass dressed as a sailor, wearing a red shirt, sailor's hat, and black cravat. His experience working around Baltimore's shipyards helped him convincingly carry himself like a sailor.

To avoid being identified as an enslaved man, he carried borrowed sailor protection papers belonging to a free Black sailor. These documents were commonly used to identify American seamen and became critical to his escape.

❤️ Anna Murray's Crucial Role

Anna Murray, a free Black woman who would soon become Douglass's wife, played an important role in making his escape possible. She provided financial assistance, clothing, and support as Douglass prepared for the dangerous journey north.

Her contribution to his freedom became an important part of the story of their life together.

🚂 A Dangerous Journey North

Douglass boarded a train leaving Baltimore and traveled through Delaware and Philadelphia using trains, ferries, and other transportation.

At several points, he faced the possibility of being questioned, recognized, captured, and returned to slavery.

Less than 24 hours after leaving Baltimore, Frederick Douglass arrived in New York City as a free man.

🗽 Freedom Was Only the Beginning

In New York, abolitionist David Ruggles helped protect and assist Douglass. Anna Murray soon joined him, and the two were married before eventually settling in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Douglass would go on to become one of America's most influential abolitionists, writers, speakers, newspaper publishers, and advocates for human rights.

His 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, exposed the brutality of slavery to readers throughout the United States and beyond.

✊🏾 From Escaping Slavery to Fighting for Freedom

Frederick Douglass did not simply secure freedom for himself. He spent much of the rest of his life demanding freedom, citizenship, education, voting rights, and equality for others.

His escape on September 3, 1838 reminds us that one courageous decision can become the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to changing history.

If you had the opportunity to ask Frederick Douglass one question about his escape, his activism, or his life after slavery, what would you ask him?

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503 N Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL
60085

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