From 1920 to 1935 African American families, many with little to no education, built over 5,000 schools throughout the southern States and drove over 5 million children through the doors of the school and out into the world to become teachers, doctors, lawyers, scientist, business people and military leaders. It was a crusade the rivaled any crusade in Human history.

By the 21st century it was little remembered the enormous faith these families had in themselves and their children in the face of racism, poverty, ignorance and government indifference to their plight decades after the end of slavery. Despite the humble origins of this movement would the American dream of equal justice for all that drove the Civil Rights movement would have been realized?

In this section you can find historical and cultural institutions that are a testament to their struggle.

The legacy of The Long Black Line is captured through these Societies, Museums, and Libraries that preserve and tell its story.



 
The mission of the TIPHC is to collect, preserve, study, and make available research information, records, documents, artifacts, and other items relating to Texas history and culture.

The Institute places special emphasis on collecting, preserving, and studying the role and contributions of African Americans in Texas history and culture. This is an important mission because the documents, artifacts, and resources collected by the Institute will serve as the primary source materials for research on the black experience in Texas.

 
 
 
 
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. THC staff consults with citizens and organizations to preserve Texas' architectural, archeological and cultural landmarks. The agency is recognized nationally for its preservation programs.


 
 
 
 
The University Museum is the realization of a dream that began with the very first administration of Texas Southern University and was kept alive by dedicated faculty of the Fine Arts Department. In 1949, President R. O'Hare Lanier promoted the idea of a "museum of Negro arts and history." Dr. John T. Biggers, Carroll Harris Simms and other art faculty promoted the concept in their teaching philosophy by systematically developing over four decades a unique collection of African and African American art with a major focus on the work of TSU art majors. Fifty-one years after Dr. Lanier's initial proposal the University Museum officially opened its doors. April 12, 2000 was a day filled with inspiration, reflections and reunion, and the anticipation of even greater dreams fulfilled
 
 
 
 
As the local history collection of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events, and activities of Austin and Travis County. We collect and preserve information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions, and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to our history.
 
 
 
 
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world's leading research facilities devoted to the preservation of materials on the global African and African diasporan experiences. A focal point of Harlem's cultural life, the Center also functions as the national research library in the field, providing free access to its wide-ranging noncirculating collections. It also sponsors programs and events that illuminate and illustrate the richness of black history and culture.
 
 
 
 
The University of Chicago Library is home to one of the largest and richest research collections in the world. The Library supports study and teaching at the University by building and creating information resources and providing services that enhance their usefulness, accessibility, and availability over time. Central to our mission is the excellence in collections we develop, the excellence in information we provide, the excellence in services we offer, and the excellence in environments we create.
 
 
 
 
The Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library is the academic hub of the university, working to support the academic programs by providing books, electronic resources, and other materials. The present building was completed in 1969 and opened in January 1970. It houses over 200,000 volumes. Special Collections is a major national resource for the study of the African-American experience.
 
 
   
 
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