Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American Museum facts for kids
The Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American History Museum, also known as the Baton Rouge African-American Museum, is a special place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. It's a non-profit museum dedicated to sharing the rich history and heritage of African Americans. The museum is named after Odell S. Williams, who was an important educator in Baton Rouge.
Sadie Roberts-Joseph founded this museum in 2001. It is the only museum in the city focused on African and African American history. The museum celebrates important events like Juneteenth and Black History Month throughout the year. It's a great place to learn about American history from a unique perspective.
A Look Back: How the Museum Started
Sadie Roberts-Joseph was the founder and curator of the African American Museum. She created it because she saw how important it was for the community to have such a place. She often shared a powerful message with visitors: "Culture is the glue that holds a people together." She wanted people to explore the past to understand their future.
Sadie Roberts-Joseph managed the museum by herself from when it opened until she passed away in 2019. After her passing, her son Jason and his sister took over running the museum. The museum temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it reopened in time for the Juneteenth celebrations in 2020. The museum operates without receiving money from the federal or local government.
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