RILEY CENTER & MUSEUM

Welcome to the John G. Riley Center & Museum for African American History & Culture

About Riley Museum

The John Gilmore Riley Center & Museum for African American History & Culture, Inc. is a historical and cultural gem that sits at the bottom of a hill in downtown Tallahassee, at the corner of Meridian and Jefferson Streets.

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Visit Riley Museum

The John Riley Center & Museum welcomes people of all ages to journey back in time to the Reconstruction era – one of the most significant, yet least known periods of American History following the end of the Civil War.

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Involved

With your support we will be able to maintain our community enrichment programs and keep the historic Riley House open so that visitors near and far, can experience this Tallahassee treasure!

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LIFE & LEGACY OF

JOHN G. RILEY

The Riley House was constructed circa 1890 on the fringe of a community called Smokey Hollow. Its owner, John Gilmore Riley, rose to prominence as an educator and civic leader. He received formal education from public and private institutions. Riley began his first teaching job in 1877 at a school in Wakulla County. In 1892 he became principal of the Lincoln Academy (located at 438 West Brevard Street in Tallahassee, Florida) where he served until his retirement in 1926