Mayor Ras J. Baraka and other dignitaries today unveiled a vision for the Newark Community Museum today at Central High School in the City’s Central Ward.

Newark’s 1^st Precinct, located at 17^th Avenue, will be closed by December 31, 2021, and be transitioned into the museum and headquarters for the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and chronicle local activism and positive police changes. The 1^st Precinct is the location where the 1967 Newark Rebellion began, on July 12, 1967. At that time, the structure was designated the 4^th Precinct.

Under the direction of Newark Historian Junius Williams, who attended the event, the Museum Advisory Committee will help convert the building into a place where Newark residents’ movements for justice and celebrations of life will be on permanent display.

“Let’s make this a success,” said Mayor Baraka.

Residents will be asked to donate their artifacts for display as long as they portray a story of resistance to injustice, and stories of people’s struggle for justice. In addition, the committee is commissioning a series of video documentaries entitled “Our City – Our Stories,” which will premiere at this event.

Global architecture firm Gensler led the vision design of the Newark Community Museum, which incorporated feedback and aspirations from the community.