Our Current Museum Hours Are:

Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 

  A courtesy call before heading our way, would be greatly appreciated.

386.478.1934

Indeed, the last two years have presented some challenges, but with perseverance we were able to provide access to an amazing collection of local Black history at the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum. As we prepare for a new year, let us reflect upon the accomplishments of the past year. Because of your support, we have:

• Hosted an annual Meet and Greet with great attendance and generous supporters.
• Sponsored a very successful Raffle to raise funds to support the museum’s scholarship initiative.
• Awarded scholarships to two graduating from New Smyrna Beach High School.
• Upgraded two exhibits for public viewing.
• Welcomed over 250 visitors who came from far and near to see, hear and learn from the museum’s archival collection and how this collection is filling the gap and helping to tell the full American story.
• Improved the curb appearance by replacing the wooden fence around the Heritage House with a white picket vinyl fence. The Heritage House, AKA as the “shot gun” house, is a permanent exhibit with period furniture dating back to the early 1920s.
• Applied and received a 2021-22 Community Cultural Grant $4428.00.
• Applied for a Florida Historical and Cultural grant $138,000 (pending) to build an annex that will provide an archival designed and constructed space to properly preserve the collection and provide greater public access to the collection.
• Planted and maintained a Native plant garden with plants donated by Lindley’s Plants and Garden Center, New Smyrna Beach.
• Featured in the AAA Living Magazine to promote tourism in FLORIDA.
• Initiated, Supported and Participated in the grand opening of the City’s Jefferson Street Parking lot.
• Attended a three-day FAAHPN (Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network) EMANCIPATION Conference in Tallahassee. Theme: Journey to Emancipation.

THANKS FOR A GREAT YEAR!

As we usher in the new year 2022, let us continue to move forward and promote the legacy of our founder, Mrs. Mary S. Harrell, to collect, preserve, and share the history and culture of African Americans and learn from the journey.

Books Available at The Museum

Stop by the museum and check out our exhibit & books on Dr. King.

1. January 2, 1970: The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State where black students and educators celebrated from January 2nd to February 28th. 

2. January 7 , 1890: W.B. Purvis patented the fountain pen. His inventions included improvements on paper bags, an updated fountain pen design, improvement to the hand stamp, and a close-conduit electric railway system.

3. January 24, 1962: Jackie Robinson became the first Black Man elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

4. January 25, 1851: Sojourner Truth addressed the first Black Women's Rights Convention in Akron Ohio.

The large display cases in the center of the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum are a creation inspired by Mary S. Harrell. Mary grew up during the days when black women earned extra household money by working as housekeepers in the private homes of white families. They were attracted to the beautiful glassware that was never seen in black homes. Many of the items were gifted to them by their employers on special occasions or holidays. Mary sometimes told the story of how she enjoyed visiting her grandmother’s home on the weekends to play with the pretty glass her grandmother kept under her bed. Her grandmother had the most, but her mother, her four aunts and their friends also had many pieces of the beautiful glassware. When the display cases were donated to the museum by Stetson University, Mary wanted artifacts to display in them. She remembered those fun days at her grandma’s house and initiated a Pretty Glass Drive. “Bring the beautiful glassware your grandmothers and family members have stored under beds and put them on display here at the museum,” she said. When we moved into our new home in New Smyrna Beach, Mary’s family remembered how much she enjoyed playing with the pretty glass. They gave most of it to her as housewarming gifts. She was the first to donate to the Pretty Glass Drive. People from the community brought boxes of glassware, mostly from the early 20^th century, to add to the collection. Many of the donated pieces came with a bit of oral history. Today, the glassware collection with over one hundred vintage pieces sparks conversations about cut glass, crystal, old milk glass, depression glass, and more.

The exhibition focuses on local culture, history, traditions and community involvement. Recently added is a lovely green depression glass collection donated by the Earl Green family, longtime residents of New Smyrna Beach.

--Jimmy Harrell, Executive Director and Co-founder of Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum

Your renewed commitment is critical in helping the museum to continue the mission of sharing African American history and Culture as we focus on Telling the Full American Story. So, if you have not done so, please take a moment to join\renew your Membership today and invite your friends and family members to do likewise. 

PLEASE JOIN/RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW FOR 2022.