From humble beginnings in a repurposed library building, the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center is now an expansive campus in East Austin dedicated to Black history and art.
As the first African American neighborhood museum in Texas, this modern space celebrates the contributions of Black people in Central Texas and the wider world.
Carver Branch Library. Courtesy of Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.
History
The history of the George Washington Carver Museum begins back in 1926, with the founding of the city’s first public library. By 1933, the city’s needs had outgrown the small library. It was replaced by a larger space, and the original building was relocated to East Austin, to provide a library to the segregated Black community.
First called the “Colored Branch,” in 1947 it was officially named the George Washington Carver Branch Library after the celebrated African American scientist and educator.
By 1980, a larger library had been built in the growing East Austin neighborhood, and the old library was repurposed into the George Washington Carver Museum. But restricted to the original 1,896 square-foot library building, the museum was far too small.
In 1998, the City of Austin passed a bond to expand the museum. And in 2005, the new complex was unveiled. There are now 36,000 square feet of exhibits, galleries, studios, classrooms, and theater space, oriented around the original 1926 library building.
The current museum grounds only represent Phase 1 of a possible three-phase plan. Phases 2 and 3 include an outdoor stage and amphitheater, expanded museum facilities, and a second, larger theater.
Courtesy of George Washington Carver Museum.
Museum Exhibits
The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center includes a core exhibit, two rotating art galleries, and four permanent exhibits.
The core exhibit is called The African American Presence in 19th Century Texas. Broken down into five sections, the exhibit explores:
- The African Impulse in African American Culture
- Slavery in Texas
- African Americans in Texas Politics
- Freedmen’s Communities of Texas
- Juneteenth
Two rotating art galleries feature works by Black and African American artists.
The four permanent exhibits include the Families Gallery, which shares the stories of 10 prominent African American families across the history of Central Texas. The L.C. Anderson High School Exhibit highlights the achievements of the student body at Austin’s pre-integration Black high school.
The Children’s Gallery teaches kids about African American scientists and inventors. And outside in the Freedom Plaza, there’s a paved timeline tracing the history of Black Americans and commemorating Juneteenth.
Black History Month event at the George Washington Carver Museum. Courtesy of the City of Austin..
Events
The museum holds regular community events, including art workshops, film screenings, and artist lectures. There have been events for Black History Month, Kwanzaa celebrations, and hip hop dance classes.
In the onsite theater, the museum has hosted performances of music by Black composers, original works by Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance, and independent theater productions.
The Genealogy Center
The original 1926 library building now houses the George Washington Carver Genealogy Center. This public resource includes databases and books where visitors can research their own family history.
The Center also teaches Genealogy Basics once per month to help visitors learn more about researching their family past.
Black Austin Tours at the Carver Museum. Credit Nicole Renfro.
Hours, Admission & Accessibility
Admission to the museum is free, and tours are self-guided. The site is ADA accessible, and all are welcome to learn about Black history and culture.
Contributed by Kate McDermott
Kate McDermott is a local copywriter, content writer, and cocktail enthusiast. She writes about and for restaurants, hotels, event companies, and more from her home in Way South Austin.
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