February is here, and with it the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center are celebrating Black History Month, delving into the theme of "African Americans and Labor". Not one to skimp on the educational festivities, the museum has rolled out an array of thoughtful and engaging programs for the entire family, all free of charge. To set things in motion, they're hosting 'Solar Saturday', an all-ages block party sure to get the community buzzing. This year's programming also boasts the 'That's My Face' film screenings and a dedicated HBCU (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) Day, where you can immerse yourself in the rich educational heritage these institutions carry.
Amidst a packed schedule, perhaps the most resonant event could be 'Create and Heal: The Art of Gospel', which will showcase a special performance in the freshly polished Boyd Vance Theatre—bringing both sound and spirit into a harmony reflective of the African American experience. To cap off the month, the museum will transform into the ultimate playground during the Black History Month Kids' Day, because while understanding history is critical, there's always room for a little unadulterated fun says the museum, visitors should also keep an eye out for collaborative events with prominent Black-led groups and educational institutions like Torch Literary Arts and local universities Prairie View A&M and Huston Tillotson, making for a breadth of perspectives and voices that are essential to the conversation.
Originally Austin’s first branch library—and the first that African Americans could frequent—the museum, now at 1165 Angelina St. in bustling East Austin, has grown into a 39,000-square-foot historical landmark. The facility proudly houses galleries, meeting spaces, a darkroom, a dance studio, a 134-seat theatre, an extensive archive, a community garden, and a genealogy center; it's no wonder it was Texas's first African-American neighborhood museum back in 1980.
To stay updated or to get your hands on event specifics, the Carver Museum is all over social media. Just swing by their Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter accounts @CarverMuseumATX—and don't forget to mark your calendars after you've perused through their event details at AustinTexas.gov/BlackHistory, the comprehensive programming truly reflects the museum’s dedication to preserving and celebrating Black life culture and historical contributions.
