Building a Community, the First Century of African American Life in Travis County is an exhibit documenting the first 100 years of African American Life in Austin and Travis County. The exhibit will be in place until March 24. (Link: http://www.austinlibrary.com/ahc/)
Add Your African American History to the Record
The Austin History Center welcomes historical donations like letters, photographs, personal and business papers, films and video you may possess. Visit the Austin History Center at 810 Guadalupe and add your piece of African American History to the record. Get more info here
The Struggle to be Free in Texas
After obtaining independence from Mexico, Texas introduced laws aimed at controlling its slave population while attempting to eliminate the Freedmen community. As early as 1836 Texas enacted legislation that made it illegal for freedmen to migrate to the area and threatened to sell them into slavery if found. Visit the Austin History Center for more.
FOX 7 Celebrates an Austin African American First
Henry Green Madison was the first African American to serve on the Austin City Council in the 1870's. He was employed as a policeman during the 1880's. The Madisons raised eight children in a cabin located at East 11th Street and East Avenue (now known as I-35). The Madisons lived there until 1912. Today the cabin is in Rosewood Park
