African American Military History Museum facts for kids
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African American Military History Museum
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African American Military History Museum in 2012
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | 305 East Sixth Street, Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 hectares) |
| Built | 1942 |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000267 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 06, 2004 |
The African American Military History Museum in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a special place that tells the stories of African American soldiers. It opened its doors to visitors on May 23, 2009. Before it was a museum, the building was known as the East Sixth Street USO Building. It was built in 1942 as a USO Club for African American soldiers serving at Camp Shelby during World War II.
This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Later, in 2010, it was also named a Mississippi Landmark. These honors show how important the building is to history.
Contents
What Makes the Museum Special?
The East Sixth Street USO building was very unique. It was one of the first USO clubs built specifically for African American soldiers. This happened shortly after the United States joined World War II. Both Black and White people in Hattiesburg supported its creation.
The building is made of wood and has a T-shape. Inside, it had many important rooms. There was a large auditorium with a stage, a lobby, restrooms, dressing rooms, and meeting rooms. The auditorium was about 34 feet by 55 feet. The stage was raised about 3 feet from the floor and measured 20 feet by 22 feet.
A Look at the Museum's History
Serving Soldiers: The USO Club Years
From 1942 to 1946, the East Sixth Street USO Club was like a second home for African American soldiers. These soldiers were stationed at Camp Shelby, away from their families. The club offered a safe and fun place for them to relax and socialize.
Soldiers could enjoy many services there. They had a library, a darkroom for developing photos, and a comfortable lounge. The club also offered counseling, music, mail services, religious books, and even sewing services. It was a vital place for soldiers to feel supported.
Becoming a Museum: Sharing Important Stories
Before it became the African American Military History Museum, the building was home to the N.R. Burger Center. This center also served as a museum and community space. It honored African American soldiers by showing historical documents, artifacts, and photographs.
The building was renovated and officially reopened as the African American Military History Museum in 2009. The old USO auditorium was divided into different areas. Each area now features exhibits about various military conflicts. These include the Revolutionary War, the Buffalo Soldiers, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism. There is also a special section called the Hattiesburg Hall of Honor. Between 2009 and 2012, about 13,000 people visited the museum to learn about these important stories.
Facing a Challenge: Tornado Damage
On February 10, 2013, a very strong tornado hit Hattiesburg. The museum's roof was badly damaged during the storm. This caused rain to soak many of the exhibits and artifacts inside. Museum staff estimated that the building would need to close for at least a year for repairs. All the valuable museum items were moved to another safe place for storage.
After a year of hard work and rebuilding, the museum officially reopened on February 6, 2014. The damage from the tornado was very costly. It was estimated that repairs to the building cost $450,000, and replacing or restoring the museum's contents cost another $600,000.
See also
