Renovated Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County reopens

Standing beneath a 3-by-4-foot canvas of blues, golds and orange, Sandra Braswell of Hempstead marveled at expressive brushstrokes that formed portraits of abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Braswell, 54, said she was moved by the unique, vibrant thread through the paintings in a new exhibit of work by Nigerian American artist Toluwalope Ayorinde unveiled Saturday at the renovated Joysetta and Julius Pearse African American Museum of Nassau County in Hempstead.

“For Black artists to put what they feel inside onto a canvas, I think it’s amazing,” Braswell, 54, said at the museum Saturday. “It’s important that we see more of this because we are very colorful, we are very talented, our lives are very exciting despite the struggle. We can’t minimize that, but at the end of the day, that’s not all we are.”

The exhibit debuts after the museum had closed for six weeks for a $135,000 facelift. More than 100 community members gathered with elected officials and local clergy as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman cut the ribbon at the renovated museum.

Officials said the renovations refreshed the 6,000-square-foot space with new paint, lighting, doors and windows and improved accessibility and safety. Visitors are now greeted by a bright, airy lobby and a striking portrait of the late Joysetta and Julius Pearse, who championed the museum as a hub for cultural education and led its genealogical research program.

Nassau County renamed the museum for the couple in 2021, just before Joysetta Pearse died at the age of 82. Her husband, Julius, who was the village of Freeport’s first Black police officer, died last December at age 91.

“This was a labor of love for them, this museum,” Blakeman said during the ceremony, adding that the upgrades are part of an effort to fund improvements to cultural resources countywide."A lot of money was invested in other cultural sites, other museums, but not here,” he said. “We’re going to invest in this museum. This is part of our history, this is part of our culture.”

The collection of nearly two dozen paintings by Ayorinde features bold scenes inspired by Black history, joy and folklore.

Ayorinde, who moved to West Hempstead two years ago, said he drew inspiration from the mark the Pearses left on the community.

“It touched my soul when I came here,” he said in an interview. “This is the spirit of the community. They are different interpretations of dreams, hopes, aspirations and things that I see every day.”

County legislators Scott Davis (D-Rockville Centre) and Olena Nicks (D-Uniondale) also announced a $1 million funding allocation to enhance programs at the museum, which was founded in 1984.

Nicks said the museum was a beautiful resource that pays homage to the Pearses.

“We want to make sure that their legacy lives on and that their names are never forgotten,” she said in an interview.

Regina L. Williams, who curated the exhibit, said the renovations will improve accessibility for the elderly and allow the expansion of student programming.

She also hopes to add new exhibits on Black fashion and other topics of interest.

Williams said it is important to ensure the Pearses' legacy lives on.

“It shows tradition,” Williams said. “It’s something that we can build upon and teach our children and have an avenue for them to turn around and share the information with the next generation.” 

The museum, at 110 N Franklin St. in Hempstead, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Ayorinde’s work will be on display through the end of the year, officials said.