The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum

The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum

The Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum, 1516 East Lake Street, at Midtown Global Market, is the only Somali heritage museum in North America. Founder and curator Osman Ali wanted to remind Somali youth where and what they came from.

"It is important for them to learn what their ancestors were doing a long time ago," said Ali. The founder also said Minnesotans can benefit from the museum. "I want them to learn about the new community of Minnesota."

The museum serves as a permanent home to more than 700 traditional artifacts from the continent of Somalia. There have been two exhibits at the museum: "Water and Milk Vessels" and "Women's Work," the current exhibit which features a simulation of a Somali hut. Outreach Coordinator Sarah Larsson said it gives the museum visitor a sense of the "traditional home" in Somali.

While the Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum is building their staff and volunteer team, regular hours will not being until 2014. However, currently, private tours for individuals, families and groups of 10 or more can be scheduled. All tours are guided by a cultural expert. These tours are available in three languages: Somali, Arabic, and English.

For more information about the museum, contact Ali at (612) 998-1166 or visit the website at http://somalimuseum.com/. To schedule a private tour, call (612) 234-1625. The entrance fee for individual is $11; for adults and children (5-12) and seniors (60+) is $8. For groups of 10 or more people, adult tickets are $9 and children and seniors are $7.