Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
In 1984 the founding organization of the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum was created under the name Tangipahoa Black Festival. In 1987 the name was changed to Tangipahoa Black Heritage Festival. At this time, the Mooney Avenue Elementary School, a local school closed following the introduction of integration, became available for sale. Under the name Tangipahoa Black Heritage Festival, the school was purchased with the intention of developing a community center and heritage site.
In 2005 the name of the foundation changed to the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives, and two years later the museum opened its doors for the first time. With the intention of showcasing historical artifacts and relevant art and murals, the foundation also focused on illustrating prominent African American figures who served in the military or as pioneers in their field.
Today the foundation is comprised over four buildings and covers nearly eight acres. While the museum is on site, there is also a community center with meeting rooms and a summer camp for local children.
In 2010 the site was named as one of the 26 locations featured on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.