The
building has a rich history dating back to 1926, when it was known as the Phoenix Union Colored High School. It was later renamed
George Washington Carver High School, remaining in operation until desegregation in 1954. The school was purchased in 1996 by a group of former Carver students who raised public and private funds to renovate the building and turn it into a cultural center. Now, the museum is home to the Gwendolyn L. Smith Memorial Library, which boasts an exhaustive collection of newspapers, magazines and other materials documenting black history and culture. An outdoor sculpture garden pays tribute to four young black girls who were killed in the bombing of a Sunday school in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. The museum hosts a number of traveling exhibits. A notable one includes the 2011 "
Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of Negro Leagues Baseball," which featured photos and memorabilia covering a period from the late 1800s to the 1960s. The permanent exhibits explore the history of the school, its early students and notable black figures in the Phoenix community. The staff is small, and the hours are sometimes irregular, so call ahead to schedule a guided tour.
--Robert Macias
Address: 415 E. Grant St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Telephone: 602-254-7516
Hours Of Operation: noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Cost: Free: donations encouraged.
Posted: 02/18/2012 10:02 am