Levittown Woman Who Helped Form African American Museum Remembered

Linda Salley, the driving force behind the African American Museum of Bucks County and a tireless advocate for local history, died Monday at the age of 78.

Salley, a retired educator and New York City native who lived in Levittown for many years, died of cancer, her daughter told the Bucks County Courier Times.

Salley’s death comes weeks before the museum she championed is scheduled to open its permanent home at Boone Farm in Core Creek Park in Middletown Township.

For years, Salley served as the president and executive director of the AAMBC.

Under her leadership, the organization grew from a mobile “pop-up” exhibit that traveled throughout the region into a permanent institution dedicated to the “untold stories and forgotten figures” of the African American journey in Bucks County.

“Linda was a wonderful woman, one of our favorite people we’ve had the pleasure of working with, whose kindness was outshone only by her determination,” the Bucks County commissioners said in a joint statement. Linda was the beating heart of the African American Museum of Bucks County, and getting to know her has been a highlight of our time in office.” 

The museum’s board of directors announced her passing with “great sadness,” adding that the colonial-era Boone Farm site will serve as her lasting legacy when it opens to the public in late June.

Salley beamed at the 2022 groundbreaking for the museum, which had been years in the making.

State Sen. Frank Farry, who worked with Salley on the Middletown Township location, praised her vision and dedication.

“Her passion, vision and dedication will leave a lasting impact for generations to come,” Farry said. “Her memory and legacy will live on through the museum.”

The board also noted that Salley was preceded in death by her husband, Alonzo, who died last year.

“After this brief separation, Linda and Alonzo are united again,” the board’s statement read.

Salley is survived by her children, grandchildren, and siblings, according to an obituary.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the African American Museum of Bucks County Building Fund.

Contributions can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/26n4vv3t or by mail to the AAMBC at 215 East Richardson Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047.