Historic Avenue Cultural Center facts for kids
The architecturally and historically significant
Historic Avenue Cultural Center is a special place in Mobile, Alabama. It's a building where you can see exhibits and attend events. It helps connect people to Mobile's growing Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District. For many years, until about 2015, it was known as the National African American Archives and Museum. Even before that, it was the Davis Avenue Branch of Mobile Public Library. During a time when Black and White people were kept separate (called segregation), this was the only library for Black people in Mobile County.
A Special Library
The Davis Avenue Branch of the Mobile Public Library was built in 1931. It was made to serve the African American community. At that time, laws kept people of different races apart. Black people could not use libraries meant for White people. The building had three rooms and cost $26,000 to build. Architect George Bigelow Rogers designed it. It looked like the main Ben May Library but was much smaller. The local African American community helped collect used books. They also raised money to buy new books. During this time, called Jim Crow, facilities for African Americans often did not get enough money from the government.
Changes Over Time
A small part was added to the building in 1961. In the late 1960s, after new laws ended segregation, this library branch changed. It became a place to store government papers. The old library building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it is an important historical site.
In 1992, the Mobile City Council let a community group use the building. This group started the National African American Archives and Multicultural Museum. Delores S. Dees was its first leader. The museum showed the history of African Americans in Mobile, Alabama, and the United States. It had old papers, photos, books, and African carvings. It also showed how African Americans helped Mobile grow.
The National African American Archives and Museum closed around 2015. The building was empty for several years. In 2018, leaders from Mobile City and Mobile County worked together. They helped bring the building back to life. Mobile County restored and made the old Davis Avenue Library bigger. It became a cultural center on what was once a busy "Black Main Street." The building reopened in October 2023 as the Historic Avenue Cultural Center.
What You Can See
The first exhibit at the center was called “Remembering the Avenue”. Jada Jones created this exhibit. It was part of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center’s Guest Curator Program. The Historic Avenue Cultural Center often has important cultural events. These include Protest on The Avenue and Poetry on The Avenue.
The Historic Avenue Cultural Center opened just a few months after Clotilda: The Exhibition at Africatown Heritage House opened in July 2023. These new attractions helped Mobile, Alabama, get noticed. Conde Nast Traveler named Mobile one of the Top 24 Places To Go in North America and The Caribbean in 2024.
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