Houston Public Library, African American History Research Center, At the Gregory School
Host: Sue Kaufman; Guest: Miguell Ceasar, Manager
The African American History Research Center is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and culture of African Americans. It sits in the former elementary school, the Gregory School, in the 4th Ward of Houston. The school includes a restored classroom, as well as several gallery exhibits that show the history of the African American community.
The African American History Research Center is truly an archive, and that is different than a library, as discussed in detail on the podcast. The center offers researchers the ability to gain information about their ancestors and their culture through letters, photos, funeral cards, newspapers, yearbooks, and vertical files containing donated family histories.
Individuals can receive one-on-one help from an archivist by signing up for an appointment, typically available on Mondays.
In addition, the African American History Research Center has multiple finding aids and digital archives that can viewed prior to any trip to the Gregory School. The digital archives include items like photographs, oral histories, funeral programs as well as information on HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), Historically Black Schools, neighborhoods, and churches.
For those enrolled in the 2023 Texas Institute of Genealogical Research course “Researching African Americans Before and After the Civil War in the US” coordinated by Ari Wilkins, this podcast will provide an additional Texas resource to review as they research their African American ancestry.
Hours: Monday by appointment;
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 – 5;
Thursday 12 – 7
Address: 1300 Victor St, Houston, TX 77109
Phone: 832-393-1440
URL: https://houstonlibrary.org/aahrc
URL: Digital archives: https://digital.houstonlibrary.org/gregory
URL: Finding Aids & Guides: https://houstonlibrary.org/african-american-history
Email for appointments: hpl.gregoryschool@houstontx.gov