The impressive multi-story lobby has been designed to evoke the image of a huge African hut.
The exhibit in the atrium is a great place to start a self-guided tour of the museum. It creatively chronicles African American struggles and triumphs from the 19th century to present day. Created by Wini McQueen, the story is told with both poignant and beautiful images, quotes, quilts, paintings, and more.
The Local History gallery on the first floor showcases African Americans of Macon. The wood and leather rocking chair was owned by Jefferson Franklin Long. Born into slavery in 1836 in Alabama, he was the first African American congressman (1870) from Georgia and the first African American to speak on the floor of the US House of Representatives. It would be over 100 years before Andrew Young became the second African American elected (1972) from Georgia. This ball and chain was used in the 1800s as punishment for the enslaved and for prisoners in chain gangs until the 1940s.
This uniform belonged to US Marine, Rodney M. Davis (1942-1967), who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his courage and self-sacrifice. Troops of the Second Platoon were pinned down in a trench by an enemy force of about 2,500 in Viet Nam. Sergeant Davis threw himself on a grenade that was thrown into the trench saving many of his brothers in arms. The second exhibit honors Sergeant Jerry B. Davis, the first African American solder to be awarded the Legion of Merit Medal. He served in the 92nd Infantry (segregated combat unit) during WWII and received the medal for his heroic actions during the Battle of Pisa (1944) in Italy. He was instrumental in forming the first all black legion post in Macon, GA.
This Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Thomas Mosley in 2012. He was one of the first African Americans to enlist in the Marine Corp in 1943. He served on the front lines of several major battles in the South Pacific, even though most of the military were segregated at the time. He continued his career in the Marine Corps and was a community activist who led by example.
This display pays tribute to the Girls of Courage, the first young African American women to integrate Bibb County public schools in the 1960s.
These beautiful resin and wood pieces are part of the Ebony Visions series by African American artist, Thomas Blackshear. From left to right they are: The Tender Touch (1995); The Guardian (1996); and, The Madonna (1995). Also shown is an antique basket and dolly used to take cotton to market.
Signs such as these were displayed throughout the south between the end of Reconstruction (1877) and the Civil Rights Movement (1960s). Also shown is a cardboard placard used in the 1968 sanitation workers' protest in Memphis, TN, against the dangerous and unfair working conditions. While the protest was eventually successful for the workers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated while in Memphis supporting the workers.
The Macon Trailblazers and Activists exhibit is comprised of black-and-white photos of award-winning photo-journalist, Johnny Crawford. Each were the first to break through racial barriers in various aspects of life in Macon.
On the second floor is an interesting Folk Art display of works by Mr. Imagination (Gregory Warmack, 1948-2012). He is a self-taught artist who incorporates found items such as bottle caps, buttons, nails, etc., into his creative pieces. Below is a mask, sunburst, woman, 5-head totem pole, and 7 head totem pole. Fascinating!
We had seen some of his work at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, too, and recognized his distinctive style immediately.
The Harriet Tubman gallery has a bronze sculpture, photograph, and various other items to commemorate her amazing life. Here is a synopsis:
- 1822: Born into slavery, injured as a child when struck with a 2-pound iron weight causing her to experience blackouts periodically for the rest of her life.;
- 1844: Married a free black man, John Tubman;
- 1849: Escaped slavery to Philadelphia where she worked as a maid, became active in the abolitionist movement, joined the Underground Railroad to aid fugitive slaves;
- 1850-1865: Made 13 expeditions personally leading 70 slaves to freedom, assisted with 60 more;
- 1861-1865: Served in the Union Army as a nurse, scout, and spy, primarily in SC;
- 1863: Led raids along the Combahee River where 700 slaves were freed, she met her second husband, a black union solder there;
- 1869: Moved to Auburn, NY, where she began her work caring for elderly and indigent African Americans;
- 1896: Purchased 25 acres and built the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged;
- 1903: Deeded the Home to local church with the condition it continued operation; and,
- 1913: Died at the Home where she lived in her final years.
- 1995: US Commemorative Stamp issued in her honor.
The Inventors Gallery showcases inventions by African Americans. It includes original inventions and innovative improvements to others. I loved this exhibit! Here is a random selection of some of them: Improvements to Fire Extinguishers (internal pipe system that was predecessor to modern fire suppression systems), Thomas J. Marshall, 1872; and Egg Beater, Willis Johnson, 1884.
Refrigeration Improvements (design of future refrigeration devices), Thomas Elkins, 1879, ad John Standard, 1891; and, Ice Cream Scoop, Albert L. Carole, 1897.
Gas Mask, Garrett E. Morgan, 1914; and Heating Furnace (centralized furnace to heat an entire house), Alice H. Parker, 1919.
From Africa to America exhibit is a 68" tall by 55' long mural by Wilfred Stroud that portrays the journey of African Americans. Storyboards itemize the events represented in each panel of the mural.
Black Artists of Georgia was the last exhibit we saw at the Tubman. The museum collects African American art from the 19th century to present.
I was immediately drawn to this colorful work of art. When I got closer I realized it is made of yarn (on paper). Entitled Douglass Theatre (1996), it was created by Annie Green.
The museum hosts special events year round. Heritage Camp was just held 10/09-13/2017; The Back Lot Drive-In Event will be held 10/28/2017 at the Tubman, and the 22nd Annual All That Jazz Concert and Ball 1/27/2018 at the Macon City Auditorium.
Overall, we were very impressed with this museum. I am so glad we visited it during our short stay in Macon. I know that they will continue to grow their collection and it will become more well known in the future.
Tickets are $10/adults; $8/seniors. For additional information regarding exhibits and events, check out their website: www.tubmanmuseum.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment