The African American Museum in Dallas will receive $3 million in support from the Texas Historical Commission, along with additional backing from Google, to help preserve its collections gathered over 50 years of operation.
According to Margie Johnson Reese, the museum’s chief program officer, the initiative extends beyond preservation. “This investment is about more than just conservation. It’s about making history accessible to a global audience. We are thrilled to work with the Texas Historical Commission and Google to preserve the works of art and the historical documents in our care. It is our responsibility to ensure that this irreplaceable material will endure to educate and inspire current and future generations,” she said.
The museum stated that the funds will be used to expand accessibility to its archives while strengthening its role as a resource for research and education in Dallas and beyond. Currently, some items are stored in non-climate-controlled spaces, leaving them vulnerable to environmental damage. With this new funding, the museum can improve storage conditions to better protect sensitive works and artifacts.
Traci Thompson, Google’s Global Community Development Strategy Manager, shared the company’s perspective in a press release. “Google is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate, and we welcome opportunities to support the sharing of powerful stories. By working with the African American Museum, Dallas, we’re proud to be part of the effort to ensure that this rich cultural history remains available to inspire and educate people around the world,” she said.
The museum’s holdings include works by artists such as Romare Bearden, Clementine Hunter, Mose Tolliver, and Rev. Johnnie Swearingen, as well as archeological materials from The Freedman’s Cemetery. It also preserves historically significant documents, including early Dallas-based African American newspapers and rare collections of photographs and papers from leaders such as Juanita Craft, Mamie McKnight, and the late U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson.
Founded in 1974 by Dr. Harry Robinson Jr. as part of Bishop College, the museum became independent in 1979. Today, it is recognized as home to one of the largest collections of Black folk art in the United States.
According to its mission statement, the museum is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and educating the public about the heritage and contributions of African Americans. Its aim is to serve as a cultural hub that honors the past, highlights the present, and helps shape the future. The museum works to inspire understanding, foster pride, encourage unity, and create opportunities for dialogue and reflection that strengthen connections across communities.
