MOBILE, Ala. (AP) – Africatown’s resurrection into a potential world-class tourism destination is well-known by now as planning forges ahead for walking and water tours, a museum and welcome center, and a development corporation aimed at bringing businesses to the community founded by slaves more than 161 years ago.
But bumps are expected along the way. The latest is unfolding with the second round of delays for the Africatown Heritage House, which is not scheduled to open until sometime during the first quarter of 2022.
The house is set to be transformed into the first museum in the Africatown community since the slave ship Clotilda was discovered in May 2019. The vessel is recognized as the last known ship to bring slaves to the United States.
“We’re frustrated,” said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. “Every delay pushes it further and further (behind).”
The reason for the delay is because of the slowdown in global shipping, which pushed back the arrival of the pre-fabricated house to November. It was previously expected to arrive this month.