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The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center is dedicated to the collection, preservation, exhibition and education about African American and African Diaspora history and culture.  The Carver campus has: a 36,000 square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theatre, and archival space (museum site) and a Genealogy Center, housed in the historic building that is the beginning of the Carver's origins. 

A new core exhibit "The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas" opens in 2020.  The Carver has an Artists’ Gallery, a children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors, and exhibit spaces that spotlight Community artists, institutions, and history.  Outside the museum is the Freedom Plaza which has Juneteenth Memorial sculptures and a timeline of the African Presence in Americas from 1400s to Emancipation.  FREE ADMISSION.

carvermuseumatx's collections

 

Our Story (Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center History)

<p></p> <p><strong>Our history begins in the modest building that housed Austin’s first library. Built in 1926, this small, wood-framed structure was soon overwhelmed by the demands of its patrons. During this time, the citizens of East Austin, along with the American Association of University Women, began to petition the city about the need for a library in their community. As a result, when a larger central library facility was built in 1933, the original building was moved to its current location on Angelina Street and later resurfaced in brick veneer.</strong> </p> <p><strong>In its early years, the Angelina Street library was simply known as the “Colored Branch”. In 1947, however, it was christened the George Washington Carver Branch Library in honor of </strong><strong><a href="http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Parks/Carver_Museum/Carver_Bio_and_Information.pdf"><u>the inventor and scientist</u></a></strong><strong> who brought so much pride to African-Americans. For decades, the Carver Library served the Central-East Austin community, and its patronage and book collection grew steadily.</strong> </p> <p><strong>As patrons increased and space became limited, the need for a larger </strong><strong><a href="http://library.austintexas.gov/carver-branch"><u>Carver Branch Library</u></a></strong><strong> became apparent. Through the efforts of the Central-East Austin Citizens for a New Carver Branch, this issue continued to have a voice. In 1979 a new facility was completed directly adjacent to the original Carver Library.</strong> </p> <p>  </p> <p><strong>As for the original building – the community imagined a museum and community center that would promote African-American history and achievement in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. On October 24, 1980, their vision became a reality. What was once Austin’s first library, and then later became Austin’s first branch library, opened its doors as the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the first African-American neighborhood museum in of Texas.</strong> </p> <p><strong>In a 1998 bond election, the citizens of Austin voted to further expand both the Carver Museum & Cultural Center and the Carver Branch Library. Today, the museum is housed in a 36,000 square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theatre, and archival space. The galleries feature a core exhibit on Juneteenth, a permanent exhibit on Austin African-American families, an Artists’ Gallery, and a children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors.</strong> </p> <p><strong>The historic building now houses the </strong><strong><a href="http://www.austintexas.gov/genealogycenter"><u>genealogy center</u></a></strong><strong>. The museum, cultural and genealogy center is owned and operated by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Division of Museums and Cultural Programs.</strong> </p><p>#ethnicstudies #africanamericanhistory #georgewashingtoncarver #austintxhistory</p>
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Using Art to Address the Black Lives Matter Movement

<p>This collection focuses on the use of art to address police violence and violence against Black Americans. The Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center has compiled various resources such as historical articles, educational curriculum, local history and exhibits that align with Ethnic Studies for grades 9th-12th. #EthnicStudies</p>
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Afrofuturism

<figure><img src="/public/images/large/editor/8569156/https___cdn.evbuc.com_images_98390250_229790784010_1_original.jpeg" data-image="8569156"></figure>
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Mardi Gras Indians

<p> The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians </p>
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Black Women You Should Know About This Womens' History Month

<p dir="ltr">Donna Carter. Onie B. Conley. Velma Roberts. Joan Means Khabele. Dorothy Turner. Mahala Murchison. Selma Burke. Delores Duffie. </p> <p dir="ltr">These are Black women we think you should know about this Women's History Month. Their stories are part of the Carver’s story.</p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p dir="ltr">Celebrate Women’s History Month with this virtual exhibit presented by Carver Museum ATX. When you view this exhibit, we want you to learn more about great women you may already know as well as the contributions of unsung women who have made their mark on the Carver and in our community. <br></p>
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Presence: The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas

<p>The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas exhibition features artifacts from the George Washington Carver Museum Collection and rarely published photographs that document the richness of Black life in Texas from 1860 to 1900. From African civilizations to bonded servitude, to precious but ever so fragile freedom, the history of Black people in Texas is a remarkable story of determination to gain, celebrate, and manifest our full rights as citizens. It is an American story that tells us so much about who we are today.</p> <p>This collection includes digital museum resources, a pre and post-activity guide, a genealogy starter kit, and a music playlist. This collection helps students develop critical thinking skills through observation and an interactive learning format. The ethnic studies curricula can be copied and adapted for use in your own classroom.</p> <p>#ethnicstudies</p> <p></p>
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