African-American Museum Moves to New Dallas Home

The Museum of African-American Life and Culture opened in 1974 in a room of a predominantly black college’s library in South Dallas. Its director, however, had visions of a more majestic home.

After years of struggle to fulfill that vision, Harry Robinson is opening the $6-million, 38,000-square-foot museum in Fair Park today.

“There was a need expressed in our community for doing something to preserve our heritage,” Robinson said. “Once we presented the idea to the people, they caught on . . . they took a risk on us, and the risk paid off.”

The museum was founded as a part of Bishop College. Its limited collection was housed in a small room on the second floor of the school’s library.

In 1979, it separated from the college and began operating as the nonprofit Foundation for African-American Art. While Robinson tried to raise money for a permanent home, the museum’s pieces were exhibited in various studios throughout the city.

Dallas voters in 1985 approved a $1.2-million bond package for a building. And after raising $5 million more through private foundations, individuals and black churches and organizations, construction began in July, 1991.

“Since it’s the only one of its kind, blacks in Texas are proud that there is an institute that is devoted exclusively to studying, preserving and presenting exhibits on the African-American heritage,” Robinson said.

Dr. Russell Adams, chairman of the department of African-American studies at Howard University in Washington, said the museum will help further education about blacks.

“It is part of the ongoing enlargement of America’s understanding of the black experience in America,” Adams said. “We are in great need of this . . . filling out the truth of the record and reducing the paranoia about African-Americans.”

Five exhibits will be on display for the opening: “19th Century Black Masters of American Art,” “Elijah Pierce: Wood Carver,” “Dream, Myth and Reality: Contemporary Art From Senegal,” “Contemporary Texas Black Artists” and artworks from the museum’s Billy R. Allen Folk Art Collection.

Pieces include African masks, quilts, collages, sculptures and oil and acrylic paintings.

Aside from its collections, the museum also houses a library and research center, an auditorium that can seat up to 100 and a children’s center outfitted with 15 computers.