This post may contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase after clicking a link we may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more! Read our full disclosure policy here.
- A few refurbishments have been announced for the Magic Kingdom. The Carousel of Progress will be down for a short refurbishment from May 13 – May 15. In addition, Prince Charming’s Royal Carousel will have a refurbishment from May 28th – June 10th.
- The Kinsey Exhibit has now opened in the American Adventure Pavilion. The exhibit celebrates the history and achievements of African Americans from the private collection of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey. It will feature five different themes and forty different pieces. The different themes are:Hope
- By age 19, Phillis Wheatley became internationally known as the first African-American ever to publish a book of poetry. She wrote about hope and freedom and is now known as The Mother of African American Literature. (On display: Phyllis Wheatley’s first book).
-
Other Hope Gallery highlights: Samuel Francis Smith: My Country ‘Tis of Thee lyrics; Hughie Lee Smith: “Untitled”; and Benjamin Banneker: Almanack.
Courage
- Harriet Jacobs, an enslaved young black woman often called an “American Anne Frank” stayed seven years in a tiny attic until she could escape to freedom. She later chronicled her story in an autobiography. (On display: Harriet Jacobs’ book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl)
- Other Courage Gallery highlights: Bisa Butler fiber art: Sea Island Woman; Michael Chukes sculpture: Loss.
Belief
- In 1870, only seven years after Emancipation, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African-American to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. Josiah Walls became the first African-American to represent Florida in the House of Representatives. (On display: “Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels Cabinet Card Photograph”)
- Other Belief Gallery highlights: Buffalo Soldiers Parade Flag; Abby Fisher: What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking; Matthew Henson book: A Negro Explorer at the North Pole.
Imagination
- Alain Locke not only became the first African-American Rhodes scholar in 1907, but his book “The New Negro” helped inspire the Harlem Renaissance, a period in American culture that produced artists, musicians, writers and thinkers that showed the world how American greatness comes from all of its citizens. (On display: The Negro in Art, by Alain Locke).
- Other Imagination Gallery highlights: Harmon Foundation Catalogs; American Beach Negro Ocean Playground, Florida – Steel plaque; “Untitled” (Kadir Nelson)
Heritage
- History can be shared through many types of artifacts. Sometimes it’s as simple as a timeworn letter written by Carrie Kinsey (Bernard’s cousin) to President Roosevelt. Or an old sewing machine passed down through generations by Shirley’s grandmother, Susie Plummer Pooler. (On display: “Letter to President Roosevelt,” by Carrie Kinsey)
- Other Heritage Gallery highlights: Bill of Sale-William Johnson; Schedule of Over 500 Slaves; Susie Plummer Pooler’s Sewing Machine.
- The new Tangled restrooms opened in Fantasyland. This new area is themed around the hit film and features things like lanterns and flags that are highlighted in the movie, posters with some of the characters on them, hidden Pascals, a unique musical track, and of course, the famous tower. In addition, a new pathway has opened up from Fantasyland to Liberty Square which opens up right near the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. The area also features benches and tables and what appears to be charging stations. Stroller parking can also be found here.
