Galveston County Historical Museum to Host Exhibit: African Americans in World War II, Opening September 1

Exhibit: African Americans in World War II, Opening September 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2008
Contact: Molly Dannenmaier, 409-765-7834
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Galveston County Historical Museum is hosting a new traveling exhibit that tells the story of African Americans’ service in World War II. The exhibit opens September 1.

"Above and Beyond the Call of Duty,"
an official World War II promotional
piece for the U.S. Navy.
Click here for press-ready downloadable version.

Members of the 92nd Division train at Fort McClellan, Alabama. November 1942.
Click here for press-ready downloadable version.

Over 2.5 million African American men and women served in all branches of service, and in all theaters, during World War II. This traveling exhibit shows how, despite segregation and discrimination, they met great challenges and served with distinction and honor. The exhibit, entitled African Americans in World War II, was developed by the National Atomic Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“We are the only museum in this region of Texas to host this exhibit,” said Galveston County Historical Museum Director Jodi Wright-Gidley. “People in the Galveston area should not miss this opportunity to see it.”

The exhibit tells the broad, national account about African Americans in World War II. Galveston County Historical Museum’s goal has been to use the exhibit as a catalyst for collecting and highlighting local stories—which will then remain in the permanent archives of the museum. Many Galveston County community members have shared the information of a relatives who served; that information has been included in the exhibit and will be saved by the museum for posterity.

African Americans in World War II will be at Galveston County Historical Museum from September 1 through November 24, 2008. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Teachers interested in booking tours for their classes to view the exhibit this fall should contact Galveston Historical Foundation’s Director of Heritage Programs, Denise Alexander, at 409-765-7834.

About Galveston County Historical Museum

Galveston County Historical Museum is a joint project of Galveston County Commissioners Court and Galveston Historical Foundation. It is housed in the Corinthian-columned, vaulted-ceilinged 1921 City National Bank Building at 2219 Market Street in downtown Galveston. Permanent exhibits include the lens from the historic South Jetty Lighthouse, Thomas Edison’s early motion picture footage of the Great Storm of 1900, and a display of artifacts from the native Akokisa tribe. Individual admission is free and open to the public. Guided group tours are priced individually and available by advance reservation. For more information, contact the museum at 409-766-2340.