Mosaic Templars Cultural Center facts for kids
| Established | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Location | 501 West Ninth Street Little Rock, Arkansas, Southern United States |
| Type | African American history museum |
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is a cool museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. It's a special place that helps us learn about and celebrate the history of African Americans in Arkansas. It shows how Black people have achieved amazing things in business, politics, and art since the 1870s. This museum is recognized nationally for its important work.
Contents
The Story of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
How the Mosaic Templars Began
The Mosaic Templars of America was a group started by two former slaves, John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts. They founded this organization in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1883. At that time, many basic services were not available to Black people. The Mosaic Templars helped by offering insurance for sickness, death, and burials.
Challenges and Changes
In the 1930s, the group faced difficulties because of the Great Depression. This was a time when many people lost their jobs and money. Eventually, the Mosaic Templars of America stopped operating. However, one part of the organization still exists today in Barbados.
Saving a Historic Building
After the original Mosaic Templars building was no longer used by the group, different businesses rented it. Over time, the area changed, and a new highway was built nearby. This left the building empty and in bad shape. In 1992, there were plans to tear it down to build a fast-food restaurant.
But a group of people who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. They formed the Society for the Preservation of the Mosaic Templars of America Building in 1993. They worked hard to convince others not to destroy the building. The city of Little Rock then bought the building for $110,000. This was the first time the city bought a building just to save it because of its history.
Building the Museum
Sadly, the historic building burned down on March 12, 2005. Even after the fire, people still wanted to create a museum there. Voters in the city had already approved money to buy more land around the site.
In 2001, the Society helped pass two laws in Arkansas. The first law provided money to build the new museum. The second law put the museum under the care of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, which is a state agency.
A brand new building was constructed on the same spot. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center officially opened on September 19, 2008. Members from the remaining Barbados group even came to the opening!
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has lots to explore!
- On the first floor, you'll find a main exhibit, a fun interactive gallery for kids, and a space for changing exhibits.
- The third floor is home to the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
- On the second floor, there's the Bush-Remmel genealogical research center and library. This is where people can look up their family history.
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center has over 8,000 square feet (about 743 square meters) of space. It's filled with exhibits and educational areas where you can learn by doing. There's also an auditorium on the third floor. Here, you can learn about the history of African Americans in Arkansas through talks, conferences, and performances.
See also
- Mosaic Templars State Temple
- List of museums focused on African Americans
