A CENTER FOR CELEBRATION
In honor of Black History, every year, nationally, we designate the month of February to celebrate the achievements of African Americans. However, at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, in Little Rock, Arkansas, African American history is celebrated everyday. There, you will see and hear stories about the achievements and contributions that Blacks have made to Arkansas and the country.
“Our Mission here at Mosaic Templar Cultural Center is to collect, preserve, to celebrate, and to interpret African American history from 1870 to the present, especially in the areas of politics, business and the arts,” said Key Fletcher, Interim Director of the center.
Between 1870 and 1910 an estimated 700,000 African Americans participated in the Great Migration throughout five southwestern states. Many scholars note that this expansion had its greatest impact right here in Arkansas.
In 1912, under the leadership of Grand Master William Alexander, the head of the Mosaic Templars, The National Grand Temple of the Mosaic Templars of America was constructed on land procured at the corner of West Ninth Street and Broadway.
Originally built as a three-story building-complex, The National Grand Temple of the Mosaic Templars of America’s purpose was to serve as an important resource center for African Americans in Little Rock. However, as membership and financial support grew, the organization added more services. It soon became home to retail businesses, office space, and a third-floor auditorium for special events. On October 15, 1913, over 2,000 people attended a dedication speech given by Booker T. Washington.
By 1992, when the building became in danger of demolition, The Society for the Preservation of the Mosaic Templars of America Building was formed in an effort to save the building from destruction. In 2001 and with the support of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center was created housing a museum to share the stories and lives of the many African Americans who were active in civil rights, politics, education, recreational activities and church organizations throughout Arkansas.
The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame located on the third floor of the museum has an exhibit that highlights the achievements of Black Americans in sports, art, music, civil rights, and education.
The museum is currently hosting its first art exhibit by a woman. Delita Martin notes that her exhibit, titled: I Walked On Water To My Homeland, was inspired by stories of the many African American women she have known throughout her life.
“My work at its roots is about the reconstruction of the identity of African American women. And through this reconstruction it allows me to give a new narrative, a different narrative of the roles of women of color in their community and within their family structure. And that’s very important to me,” said Martin.
“I’m really intrigued by a lot of the art I’ve seen. They’re very captivating,” Said Regina Alston who recently moved to Arkansas.
“You got a lot of different images and figures inside an individual painting. And you can see a lot of other imagery and a lot of other figures and stuff, brought together to make another picture inside the main picture,” said Jonathan Alston.
Freelance Artist, Lachandra Callahan said observing Martin’s art has brought out deep emotions in her. “It’s very very beautiful,” said Callahan. “I love her art. It’s making me feel some type of way because I understand what she is saying.”
The exhibit will continue throughout the month of February and until March 26th.
The Museum is located at 501 W. Ninth Street, Little Rock, Arkansas. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free.