It’s all about community. The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington is a place where people can develop meaningful connections by exploring community history through visual, literary and in person events.
Our Museum began when our founder, Mrs. Evelyn Syphax saw that the community’s history was being sold off with every passing of a long-time resident.
The organization was incorporated in 1995 by volunteers who set up shop in the office space of a local Bank. For many years we were only a virtual museum that continued operations out of that bank space exhibiting artifacts in hand-made cases and hosting many lectures on local history.
Today we have a space on historical Columbia Pike in Arlington where the community can visit, engage , learn, share and appreciate Arlington’s rich African American history, free of charge.
We encourage you to visit as often as you like ànd please bring a friend!
Dr. Scott Edwin Taylor
Remembering The Black Wall Street Massacre That Began May 31 ,1921
The Black Wall Street massacre, was a two-day-long white supremacist racial massacre that took place between May 31 – June 1, 1921, when mobs of white residents, some of whom had been appointed as deputies and armed by city government officials, attacked black residents and destroyed homes and businesses of the Greenwood district in Oklahoma. The event is considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history. The attackers burned and destroyed more than 35 square blocks of the neighborhood—at the time one of the wealthiest black communities in the United States, colloquially known as “Black Wall Street.”
You are invited to join us in June 14, 2023 for a screening of “Black Wall Street, The Greenwood Ave Project “, a documentary by Karen Reece that explores what happened on May 31 through June 1, 1921when mobs of white residents attacked black residents, their homes, and businesses, as well as cultural and public institutions in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, OK, an oil booming city. Greenwood was also know as “Black Wall Street,” one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States.
Please Join us June 14, 2023!!!
We Were Happy To Host The NAACP Arlington Chapter On National Museum Day
It’s one thing to succeed as a community – it’s another thing to thrive. The Black Heritage Museum of Arlington was happy to host Arlington’s NAACP on international Museum Day, May 18th.
The event was spearheaded by NAACP membership committee chairman, Kathleen McSweeney. Her guests were encouraged to tour the Black heritage museum and gain new members for the civil rights organization originally formed in 1908.
For over 115 years, the NAACP has been Providing scholarships for students, grants for Black entrepreneurs, bringing attention to local issues and supporting access to quality education, healthcare, economic opportunities.
The attendees included NAACP member and candidate for county board, Natalie Roy, president of the Black Heritage Museum , Dr. Scott Taylor, NAACP officers Tia Alfred (Education committee chairman) and Lorelle Lanhorne (NAACP vice president) Judith Davis, Wakefield High School PTSA President, Steve Baker, chair of the Arlington Democrats, and Ron Green, President of the Arlington View Civic Association, were also in attendance.
We Got A Visit From Trinity Presbyterian Church
The Museum was happy to get a visit from Trinity’s Racial Justice Group. Their mission began convening in 2016 to discuss how their congregation could work to counter racism and advance racial justice. Trinity has worked to foster dialogue about systemic racism and equip church members with the skills to work for justice.
UPCOMING EVENTS
More Events!
Encore Learning Pre Junteenth Celebration Museum Tour
June 9, 2023, 3:00 pm
WalkArlington Presents: Juneteenth Black Heritage Walk
June 18, 2023
Discover Black heritage in Arlington on a walk to honor Juneteenth
led by BHMA board member, Mr. Craig Syphax