Crisfield African American History Museum Prepares for Soft Opening

(CRISFIELD, Md) – A local group is preparing for the soft launch of the Crisfield African-American History Museum this weekend, highlighting many of the people of color who’ve called the Somerset County city their home.

The vision of this museum is helmed by Robin Rayford, who last year started to gather photos and stories of members of her community who helped shape Crisfield. From neighbors and friends, to family.

She says, “Our mission is to preserve, to interpret and to celebrate these folks and our history.”

And that’s why local Brian Sutherland, who runs Gallery 413 is helping to put on this soft launch for the museum as they look for a more permanent location.

As they showcase many of the people who called Crisfield home and found success on the land and water.

“They’re just they’re such a big part of the maritime history. They’re a big part of the crabbing industry, the crab pickers. And there are a lot of professional people, doctors, a lot of, historians, a lot of very important people have come out of this field that, that are African American,” says Brian.

In Robin’s case, it’s helping to keep the accomplishments of many of Crisfield’s black community alive altogether.

“What is very interesting to me is that some of those people who have passed on and made phenomenal contributions to this town, there’s no evidence that they’ve ever been here,” says Robin.

And everyone whose been working on this museum since the middle of 2025 is hoping that they’ll have success this weekend and speed up finding a proper home following the soft opening.

The soft opening is taking place this Saturday, February 21st at the Crisfield Pride Elks Lodge at 120 South 4th Street, from 2-5 P.M.