Museum Celebrates African-American Culture during Black History Month
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University Museum will host a Black History Month celebration featuring Ethel Tompkins of Hoxie on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
The Hoxie School District was among the first to racially integrate in 1955, two years before the crisis at Central High School in Little Rock. Tompkins, one of the African-American students at Hoxie, will speak about her experiences as a youngster during that time.
After the lecture, guests may enjoy African-American desserts while conversing with Tompkins and retired Hoxie teacher Viola Meadows.
Visitors in the main gallery may listen to the charming tale of "Ellen’s Broom" by Kelly Starling Lyons, and meet in the Tinkering Studio for a story-related, hands-on activity. Also, they may learn while having fun playing amusing games possibly invented by enslaved African-American children.
On the remaining Tuesdays during Black History Month, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, the Museum will show the documentary, "Hoxie: The First Stand," from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium (room 156). In this film, David Appleby tells the story of the Hoxie School integration.
ASU Museum is located in the west wing of Dean B. Ellis Library, 320 University Loop. One may visit online at AState.edu/Museum or http://facebook.com/ASUMuseum. Hours are 9-5 Monday, 9-7 Tuesday, and 9-5 Wednesday through Saturday. The museum is closed on Sundays and university holidays.
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