Our Current Museum Hours Are:

Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Monday & Sunday: CLOSED 

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

386-478-1934

Throughout the month of June, music lovers gather to celebrate African American Music Appreciation Month. The contributions of African American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters and the different genres in Black music are celebrated. In the United States, American Music Appreciation Month (June) has been celebrated since 1979. Even though President Jimmy Carter designated June as Black Music Month, it wasn’t until 2000 that the presidential proclamation for the month was signed. President Barack Obama, in 2009, went on to rename the month from Black Music Month to its current name, African American Music Appreciation Month. African American music is not just music but an integral part of American history.

On June 19th, 1865, the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were free. This date was two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. General Granger gathered a crowd in front of the Osterman Building at 22nd and Strand and proclaimed emancipation to Texans. The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp at freedom. North was a logical destination and for many, it represented true freedom. The desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove some into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The celebration of June 19th was coined Juneteenth. It was a time for reassuring each other, for praying, and for gathering remaining family members. Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later with many former slaves and descendants making an annual pilgrimage back to Galveston on this date. At these celebrations, food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. In the early years, celebrations were only held in the southwestern African American community. On June 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official state (Texas) holiday. From the 1980s and beyond, Juneteenth celebrations have spread to communities and organizations throughout the country. Hopefully, as it takes on a more national and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten. 

Source: African American Almanac

President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, on June 17, 2021. Juneteenth is now the twelfth federal holiday.

Meet our scholarship recipients for 2022. Each year the museum awards scholarships to three New Smyrna Beach graduating seniors from the local community who meet the museum’s criteria. Each one receives $1,000 to help with college tuition and books. A reception was held recently at the museum in honor of these outstanding seniors. Their photos and bios are on display in the museum. Stop by and read all about our young leaders. Thanks to all members and visitors who helped to make these scholarships possible.

Left to Right: Willie Williams, Jr., Lenise Miller Rainge-Inniss, and Alfredo Brown, Jr.

Below: Board Member Paul Thompson represented the Board of Directors at the New Smyrna Beach High Honor Night, May 19, 2022.

Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, is an interdisciplinary artists-in-residence community, and arts education facility. We were honored to have a fantastic group of artists from ACA’s award-winning Residency Program visit the museum recently. They had an opportunity to view our local history collection and our African musical instruments. The intern, Sonya Hogan, shared stories of the people who lived and worked in the Westside community.

We are very excited to honor an amazing volunteer – Ann Gillis. Ann moved to Edgewater, FL in 1994, after retiring from teaching vocal music in Poland, New York. In 2015, her friend, Audrey King, told her about a volunteer opportunity at the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum. Ann decided to give it a try and soon found this to be a good match for her. She has been a faithful and punctual volunteer at the museum for 7 years. She is very reliable and never misses an opportunity to volunteer where needed. She is quick to make the museum visitors feel welcome and comfortable.

Using her time, talents, and unique skills, Ann, along with Audrey by her side, has digitized over 100 funeral programs in the museum’s collection. In addition to volunteering at the museum, Ann is an active member of St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church and volunteers with Hospice and Edgewater Landing Chorus. Cheers to our Volunteer of the Month!

Sonya Guidry and Sande Habali

Volunteers from the Pawpaw Native Plant Society, FNPS

1. June 6, 1831:

The National Negro Convention Movement met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conventions charted important shifts in rhetoric, focus, and the development of a black nationalist political consciousness. There were 15 delegates present from 5 states.

2. June 15, 1968: 

Ellen Holly becomes the first African American in a leading role on daytime television as Carla Gray on "One Life to Live." (see first photo)

3. June 18, 1899: 

African American inventor William H. Richardson patented an improvement to the baby carriage in the United States on June 18, 1889. It is U.S. patent number 405,600. His design ditched the shell shape for a basket-shaped carriage that was more symmetrical. The bassinet could be positioned to face either out or in and rotated on a central joint. (see carriage photo)

4. June 30, 1906:

John Hope became the first African-descended president of both Morehouse College in 1906 and of Atlanta University in 1929, where he worked to develop graduate programs. (see third photo)

Did you know that the museum houses a collection of funeral programs from the New Smyrna Beach Westside community? We have some, but we need some more. Help us grow our collection. Bring your old funeral programs to the museum or call (386) 478-1934, and we will gladly pick them up. This collection is a popular resource for genealogists and others.

The membership fee is now due for 2022. Please join or renew today. The annual fee is $25.00 or $15 for seniors. You may stop by and pay in cash or mail a check to Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, 314 N. Duss Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. You may also pay using PAYPAL. Send to family and friends at blackheritagemuseum@gmail.com. Thanks for your support! You are the wind beneath our wings.

Welcome to our newest Board members: Argentina and Paul Thompson of Deland, Florida.

Sunday, June 19th, 2022 is Father's Day! Don’t forget to tell a Father that you appreciate him for all he does, or maybe even give him a gift card!

This is the final issue of the newsletter until September 2022. Please visit us in person this summer. Thank you.