As the Evansville African-American Museum turns 15, expansion could be coming

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — With more than 100 museums in the U.S. celebrating Black culture, the Evansville African-American museum celebrates 15 years of providing the local history of the community.

And it all began with founder Sondra Matthews.

“It's so important that we know our history… it’s important that our young people have a sense of achievement and accomplishment,” Matthews said. “And they wouldn't if we didn't have the museum.”

On a trip to South Africa, Matthews explored different museums where history was told from a European point of view. Those museums emphasized showing European soldiers in their battle armor with weapons but showed indigenous Africans in chains.

To her, that was a horrible depiction of history.

After returning from the trip she learned of the planned demolition of Lincoln Gardens, one of the first federally built public housing facilities in the country. Located on Lincoln Avenue in Evansville, it was central to the local African-American community.

Matthews appeared before the Evansville Housing Authority Board in 1997 and requested Lincoln Gardens be spared the wrecking ball.

By the end of that month, more members of the Lincoln Garden community who grew up there like Matthews met with the head of the EHA board to consider the apartments becoming a museum.

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In September 1997, a non-profit was created and certified by the state to preserve the history of Lincoln Gardens and the African-American families that lived there.

From there, things took off.

EHA Director John Collier selected the current building that houses the museum because it overlooked Lincoln High School, a historic, all-Black high school.

From 1997 to 2007, the main focus was fundraising for the museum.

“Our goal is to always plan different activities for people and as time goes on, just to share information about our African American history, both local, state and national and worldwide,” said Lana Burton, a former resident of Lincoln Gardens and president of the executive committee.

Burton, 69, has been a part of the museum since its inception.

Before opening the museum's doors, different programs like a step competition, lady of the year luncheon, or even meetings about the progression of the black community were big for them at the time.

In March 2007, the doors opened to the public with the National African American Travelers Conference choosing to host its event in Evansville.

Since that day, the museum has detailed the history of African-American people in Evansville. From highlighting Bishoptown to the prosperity of Lincoln Avenue and telling the stories of prominent community members, the museum hopes to continue to be a beacon.

Janice Hale, 75, has worked for the museum for 14 years with membership services and as a tour guide, and she grew up in Lincoln Gardens as well.

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“The museum has really changed, with each director and each one of them have taken us higher,” she said.

And the future is looking bright for the museum.

Located across the street from Lincoln Elementary is the house of Alfred Porter, who taught music at Lincoln High School and other schools in Evansville for 45 years.

Wanting to create an extension of the museum, the home was purchased for $1. The goal is to turn it into a performance center.

“Our goal is to use (the house) as a performance center and to have young people come in there and maybe do private lessons for those with music, whether it's voice or whatever," said Burton.

The hope is that with the expansion of the museum it can connect more with Lincoln and other students in the community who would like to get into music.

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan covers diversity and culture-related topics and can be contacted at rbj@courierpress.com or (812) 454-1765.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville African-American Museum celebrates 15 years in service