TYLER TEXAS — Tucked behind isles of antiques and artisan goods in the back right corner of Unique Shopping Mall on 2822 W Erwin St, is the temporary home of the Texas African American Museum.
The museum showcases successes and milestones within the African American community in Texas and East Texas specifically. Ancient African art and poll tax receipts from Smith County can be found in the quaint, one-room facilty.
Clarence Shackelford, co-founder of the museum, said he was inspired to open the museum after realizing that he “never saw any remnants of (his) ancestors in this county.”
“A lot of our history wasn’t documented, just because that’s the way things were,” he said.
Shackelford remembers growing up and seeing primarily African Americans working in the rose fields — an industry the city strongly identifies with.
“If you think about roses in Tyler, black people did most of that work,” he said, remembering the piles of roses he’d see people remove the thorns from.
On the one side of the display is several photos of a Emmett J. Scott High School reunion that Shackelford took in 2003. On one of those photos is Marilyn Brown, who happened to be visiting the museum that morning.
Brown, who was the first black salesperson at the Sears and Roebuck in downtown Tyler, worked there for 30 years.
“People would come in and say ‘You’re Hispanic, aren’t you?’” she said, laughing. “They couldn’t believe a black person was working downtown… It was a job, but it was a fun job..”
Gloria Washington, co-founder of the museum, said a lot has changed in Tyler over the years. Namely, the community’s interest in changing the name of the two public high schools, and Tyler ISD’s discussing changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School.
“It would be fruitful if the name did change, but the name of a school doesn't define who I am,” she said.
“I mean, look at Earl Campbell,” she said, pointing at his display in the front of the museum. “He went to John Tyler High School, and the name of the school didn't stop him from pursuing his career.”
The museum is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Those wishing to contribute to the museum can email texasevents365@gmail.com.
