Exploring the Rich History of African American Culture at the Kansas African American Museum
- Bucket List Travel Junkie, Sharon Harrison
- May 14, 2024
- 3 min read
by Sharon Harrison
Soon to be leaving this site in Wichita, the Kansas African American Museum has found another location in the downtown area. The museum will be modernized and will be able to fit more of its holdings into the new location.
The current location was formerly the Calvary Baptist Church, which was a cornerstone of Wichita's black community. The First National Black Historical Society was formed in 1973. In 1993, this building was put on the National Register of Historical Places and in 1998, it became the Kansas African American Museum. (source: TKAAM membership pamphlet) Soon it will be turning a page and moving into an exciting new venture in its new space at 201 North Main.
As you walk around the balcony of this museum, you can read various stories and view pictures straight out of history. These are meant to capture and engage visitors, to encourage conversation and questions. This happened for me, as each story seemed to spark an interest, to make me want to know more about what happened beyond what was displayed there.
DID YOU KNOW THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CAME THROUGH KANSAS?
When I saw this Underground Railroad map and information, I realized how very little I know about the runaway slaves coming through my own state!
NICODEMUS
The National Park Service website states that "formerly enslaved African Americans left Kentucky at the end of the of post-Civil War Reconstruction period to experience freedom in the "Promised Land" of Kansas. Nicodemus represents the involvement of African Americans in the westward expansion and settlement of the Great Plains. It is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi River." An exhibit at the museum shows the town was founded in 1877.
DAVID CITY, HODGEMAN COUNTY, KANSAS:
I was really surprised to learn of a "David City" in Hodgeman County. My parents were from that county and I had never heard of that city before. I wonder what happened to it? How many people lived there? Were they allowed to live there peacefully and why did they leave? I couldn't find very much about this one at all online.
BUFFALO SOLDIERS
"The 10th Cavalry was formed July 28, 2866, when Colonel Benjamin H. Grierson went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to organize a regiment of Colored Volunteers." These volunteers had a desire to fight to free themselves and their people.
BARRY SANDERS
As the museum gains more room when it moves, it will be interesting to see how this exhibit will change!
DEFINING BLACK WICHITA
As more former slaves came to Kansas after the Emancipation, Wichita began to change. This shows the number of black business in 1911.
Hattie McDaniel, who played "Mammy" in Gone with the Wind, was born in Wichita in 1893. She was a true hero for breaking barriers in Hollywood and the nation as she was the first African American to be awarded an Oscar, while at the same time being forced to enter the soundstages through the back door, take her meals at separate tables, and was excluded from other privileges held by her co-stars. She held on to hope that discrimination would die and conditions would improve. She truly paved the way for others.
KU KLUX KLAN IN WICHITA
I was quite shocked to see that a parade of such magnitude had happened in Wichita, Kansas! This was in 1926!
Kansas African American History Trail
"The History Trail tells the story of the African American contributions to Kansas at it’s various historical sites, chronicling the people, places, and events that created this rich history. It is a shared history of all Kansans that is all … About the Journey." (source: https://www.tkaahistorytrail.org/)
FROM AFRICA TO KANSAS
There is a very interesting exhibit on the main floor called "From Africa to Kansas", with significant pieces of art, artifacts and historical collections.
My first experience at the Kansas African American Museum was very educational and enlightening. I look forward to the experience in their new building!
Find more information about the museum and their hours here. https://www.tkaamuseum.org/what-we-do
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