THE LITTLE MUSEUM STRETCHES ITS LEGS

February 5, 2005, marked the grand re-opening of the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. It was an occasion for Austin to celebrate a new home for the museum and to reflect on its humble beginnings.

The history of the Carver Museum begins in the 1,896-square-foot building that housed Austin’s first library, at the corner of Ninth and Guadalupe Streets. Built in 1926, this small, wood-framed structure was quickly overwhelmed by the demand of its patrons. At the same time, the citizens of East Austin began to petition the city about the need for library services 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.

In its early years, the Angelina Street library was known simply as the “Colored Branch.” In 1947, however, it was christened the George Washington Carver Branch Library, in honor of the inventor and scientist whose accomplishments brought pride to African-Americans. For decades, the Carver Library served the Central and East Austin communities, and its patronage and book collection grew steadily.

As visitors increased, however, space became limited, and the need for a larger facility again became apparent. Through the efforts of the East Austin Citizens for a New Carver Branch, this issue continued to have a voice. In 1979 a new Carver Branch Library was constructed adjacent to the original.

As for the historic building, the public imagined a museum and community center that would celebrate 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 what later became Austin’s first branch library, opened its doors as the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center, the first African-American neighborhood museum in the state of Texas.

In the years that followed, the Carver Museum became one of the city’s most prized cultural institutions. Sponsoring popular exhibits, educational classes, and cultural and performing arts events helped earn it the nickname “the little museum with the BIG ideas.” Eventually, these big ideas demanded a more appropriate home.

In a 1998 bond election, the citizens of Austin voted to further expand both the Carver Museum 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, administrative offices, and archival space.

The museum’s core exhibit is dedicated to the history and evolution of Juneteenth—the June 19th holiday commemorating the end of slavery—making it the nation’s first permanent exhibit to honor this Texas-born day of jubilee. Visual and interactive activities help tell the story of Juneteenth, from its origins at Galveston’s Fort Aston Villa to its current traditions throughout the country.

The permanent exhibit about Austin African-American Families highlights 10 families who have contributed greatly to the Central Texas landscape. From the area’s first black settlements to some of this generation’s strongest community leaders, this interactive gallery explores the history of Austin’s African-American community. Guests may contribute their family histories to the exhibit.

The Artist’s Gallery is a rental space reserved for artists to celebrate their versatile talents. Collections of paintings, photography, sculptures, artifacts, and other exhibits are rotated regularly as a showcase of African and African-American artistic expressions.

The Children’s Gallery, called "Let’s Pretend Dr. Carver!,” is a hands-on look at famous African-American scientists and inventors. Children can don pint-sized white lab coats and learn about some of history’s most creative minds. The gallery allows children to recognize the great possibilities that come from putting their own minds to work.

Not to be forgotten, the little museum and all its rich history still greets visitors on their way to the new Carver Museum. Standing next to its big brother, this historic structure awaits future plans to transform it into a state-of-the-art genealogy center for researching family history. Through this endeavor, and throughout every element of the new facility, the Carver Museum aims to continue its mission in the spirit of Sankofa—an Adinkra symbol that represents fetching the past in order to shape the future.

The Carver Museum is owned and operated by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Cultural Affairs Division, and is open Tuesday–Thursday 10–6 and Friday and Saturday 12–5. Admission is free. For more information, please call 512-974-4926 or visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver.

Thanks to the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center for the article and photo (Photo by: G. Russ Photography )