Time to Celebrate at the John G. Riley Center & Museum

September marks Mr. Riley’s birthday and the anniversary of his namesake building

September 17, 2026

The 169th birthday of John Gilmore Riley is being celebrated this month in tandem with the 30th anniversary of the City of Tallahassee's John G. Riley Center & Museum for African American Culture. The community is invited to join the festivities.

Riley was born enslaved in Leon County in 1857 and became a prominent civic leader, businessman and educator. The museum that bears his name is located in downtown Tallahassee, at the corner of Meridian and Jefferson streets. It is housed in the former Riley family home, which was their residence beginning circa 1890, when it was built. The patriarch died in 1954 at the age of 96.

“We have some exciting things coming up at the John G. Riley Center & Museum, and several opportunities for the community to celebrate with us this fall,” said Executive Director Aron Myers, Ph.D. “All three special events are free and open to all. The 30^th anniversary of the museum is a year-long celebration with more related programs to be announced in 2027.”

• Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – A Watch Party will be held in person and virtually, marking the season finale of the Culture Keepers podcast. It honors the 169^th birthday of John G. Riley and the 30^th anniversary of the Riley Museum. The celebration will bring together museum staff, community members and special guests for a morning centered around history, culture and the legacy of John Gilmore Riley. Attend in person at the City of Tallahassee Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs’ Community Room at 1201 Myers Park Drive, or watch via livestream at Culture Keepers of Florida by FAAHPN - YouTube, a production of the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN), founded by the Riley Museum.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – An Open House will be held at the John G. Riley Center & Museum, celebrating what would have been John G. Riley’s 169th birthday. Guests are invited to visit the museum and experience African Americans in Tallahassee: The World Wars and Post-War Life, before the exhibit leaves the galleries. The exhibit highlights the courageous African American men and women who contributed to the armed forces on the home front and overseas, including the labor and service units of World War I, the pioneering Tuskegee Airmen of World War II and the trailblazing African American women who fought for racial and gender equality in the military. Visitors can also explore a dedicated gallery that features a life-like animatronic representation of Riley.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. –30^th Anniversary Celebration of the John G. Riley Center & Museum. The first 100 visitors will receive a commemorative Riley Museum 30th anniversary gift and enjoy a sneak peek at the upcoming civil rights exhibit, which opens next year. The exhibit explores the powerful stories of Reverend C.K. Steele and the Tallahassee Bus Boycott; Patricia Stephens Due and the many FAMU students who mobilized through sit-ins, jail-ins and sleep-ins; and the group of interfaith religious leaders known as the Tallahassee Ten, who fought for integration and equality. Guests will also be able to catch the current World Wars and Post-War Life exhibit before it closes at the end of the year.

In 1996, the John Gilmore Riley House became the John G. Riley Center & Museum for African American History & Culture. Its mission is to preserve the history of the Riley House, promote historical and cultural preservation and enrich lives through education, outreach and advocacy. Museum staff have since produced more than 50 historical publications and documentaries and mentored more than 80 college interns.

Celebrate these milestone events and learn more about local history with a visit to the Riley Museum, where research, education and discovery remain a focus. Its tours and exhibits bring an awareness of and appreciation for the contributions African Americans have made to the local community and society.

The Riley Museum is operated and maintained by the City of Tallahassee. The museum is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided and self-guided tours are available during public hours, with guided tours including a visit to the Smokey Hollow Commemoration. Group tours outside public hours may be accommodated by advance reservation.

For more information, visit RileyMuseum.org or call 850-891-3560.