Odell S. Williams Now and Then African American Museum

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Odell S. Williams Now and Then African American Museum, Baton Rouge

The Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American History Museum, or Baton Rouge African-American Museum is a museum of African-American history and heritage located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. This non-profit museum was founded by Sadie Roberts-Joseph in 2001. The museum is named after Odell S. Williams, an educator in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This museum is the only museum still dedicated to African and African-American history in the city. It was founded when Joseph identified a need in the local community for a cultural space that celebrates African American history. This museum annually celebrates Juneteenth, Black History Month, and American history year-round.[1]

Background

The Odell S. Williams Now and Then African-American Museum was founded by Sadie Roberts-Joseph in 2001. The name of the museum is taken from Odell S. Williams, a well-loved educator in the Baton Rouge area. It was founded when Joseph identified a need in the local community for a cultural space that celebrates African American history.

The museum has a variety of vibrant exhibits, showcasing the contributions of local African Americans through history, in a variety of different fields, such as music, cuisine, education, politics and business. There is The original Baton Rouge bus boycott from 1953 and explore Baton Rouge's role in the civil rights movement.

The museum's display of agriculture looks at the early plantation economy in the area, and the main crops grown at that time. It also explores the experiences of enslaved Africans being used as labor on the plantations.[2]

Vandalism in Odell S. Williams Now and Then African American Museum

Outside the museum, she grows cotton as a symbol of an era not too long in the past. Inside, she filled the room with the items she had acquired over the years. Each section has a story. One room honors the history of African-American people in Louisiana. Other excellent artifacts from African countries, such as drums and masks. Another room to celebrate President Obama and African-American veterans.[3]

Vandalism

The museum was vandalized a month after Joseph was murdered. Benches were destroyed, gardens were trampled, fountains were destroyed, and other artifacts were damaged. Jason Roberts, Sadie Roberts-Joseph's son, said in a statement. "It(Vandalism) needs to stop, and we need to come together as a community and protect this place no matter what race, color, creed you are,"[4] Several volunteers came to the museum to help remove the rubble and restore the structure that was recently damaged.[5]

References