Genealogist Antoinette Harrell Tour Museums from the United States to Niger, West Africa

Antoinette looking at Tuareg War Shield
Zinder, West Africa

I have visited many museums throughout the United States, looking at artifacts, special collections and reading rare books. In August of 2004, I traveled to Niger, West Africa-- the homeland where my maternal African Ancestry DNA matches with the Tuareg people of the Sahara Desert. After my arrival in Paris, France, I wanted to visit the museums, archives, libraries, and universities to find any kind of records, artifacts and books that were stolen from Niger after the country were colonized by France. Inside the tall buildings that is guarded by the Gothic gods are rare books and other information that can help me find my way back to my maternal homeland, is guarded by the Gothic gods and it followers. My ancestors and our history lies in the belly of the Gothic beast. Books that is written in the language of my ancestors that I couldn't read, if I did find the books. Before being colonized by he French my ancestors spoke Tamasheq and other native languages before being forced to speak the French language. My ancestors were linguist, people that were skilled in several languages.

Antoinette Harrell at Smith Robertson Museum &
Cultural Center

While attending a meeting in Jackson, Mississippi with Lloyd Lazard and his New Orleans Delegation in Jackson, Mississippi,  we had the opportunity to tour several museums. The International Museum of Muslim Cultures was one of the two that we visit. I was delighted to see artifacts from the Tuareg People of Niger. Looking at the artifacts from the nomadic people of the Sahara Desert took me back in memories to the blacksmith shops and villages where the Tuareg and Berber people made their jewelry, wood carvings and beautiful leather goods.

In the Akan language of Ghana the term Sankofa means, "We must go back to reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we could understand why and how we came to be who we are today." Some also interpret Sankofa to be, no matter how far away one travels they must always return home." Each time I visit any repository, museum, universities and other research facilities, I search for something that will help me reclaim knowledge of self and return me back to the land of my ancestors on the continent of Africa. I really can't say I have a favorite museum because each one of them offer an opportunity to learn something that I didn't know. Are too see original artifacts that tell something about my people and the period in which they lived.

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center

It is a journey searching for what was stolen from me; knowledge of self, family, books, history, artifacts and land. My maternal great-great grandfather Robert Harrell came to Mississippi as a slave with Levi Harrell and his family where they settled in Amite County, Mississippi in 1803.  While touring Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center  looking at the artifacts, history and agriculture artifacts holds the story behind my Mississippians deep rooted connections.

From Africa to Mississippi, I found my history inside the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center to the lock doors of buildings in Zinder that hold the last piece of jewelry, artifacts that the Tuareg people had taken from them before the were captured and sold into slavery. I will continue to search for my history and knowledge of self. "Know Who You Are Before They Tell You" African Proverb

The National Slave Ship Museum Louisiana Delegation Meet with Jackson, Mississippi Mayor

Louisiana Delegation meeting with Mayor Lumumba

Today I traveled with a Lloyd Lazard and a Delegation from New Orleans, La to meet with Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Lumumba to discuss the vision and plans that Lloyd  have for establishing a National Slave Ship Museum. Clifton James, Economic Development and Special Project Committee presented the plan before Mayor Lumumba and his Delegation.

The National Slave Ship Museum

Lloyd Lazard has been dreaming of this since the 90s, and now several city leaders are on board. He wants New Orleans, La to be the home of the museum. The plan is to redevelop the Lower Garden District Riverfront turning it into
 an educational corridor. The museum would be built around a full size replica of a slave ship. It’ll include a lab to trace your ancestry. After leaving the meeting we has an opportunity to tour the Smith Robertson Museum and the International Museum of Muslim Cultures at the Mississippi Art Center in Jackson, Mississippi. While touring the International Museum of Muslim Cultures we saw the Timbutku Exhibition. I was truly excited when I saw the Tuareg Exhibition. My maternal African Ancestry DNA matches with the Tuareg People of Niger. Looking at the Tuareg artifacts, remind me of the time I spent in Niger, West Africa. 

Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Everyone was very impressed with the Smith Robertson Museum and happy to see that our history is being preserved, kept and told by the children of former slaves and sharecroppers. From Africa to the slave auction blocks and cotton fields, the curator found a way to tell our story. 

The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965. It was mandated and enforced in all public facilities in Southern States. Jim Crow laws are the segregation of public places, public schools, restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains. Although this happened in my time, I can't ever recall going to a "colored only" water fountain.

Pamela D.C. Junior, Museum Manager

Read more: http://wgno.com/2013/09/12/national-slave-ship-museum-one-step-closer-to-being-built-in-new-orleans/#ixzz2kUxO1vvj

West Jackson Colored School " Mother School" School for Negro Boys and Girls

Smith Robertson  ( 1847-1899)

Smith Robertson was born a slave in Fayette, Alabama, in 1847. After the  Civil War, he migrated to Mississippi where he operated a successful barber business. He became involved in local politics and became the first African American Alderman for the City of Jackson, Mississippi. On December 6, 1879, at the time when the enrollment of colored children exceeded that of white children in the Jackson Public Schools. Smith Robertson was appointed by the Mayor and Board of Alderman to the Board of Trustees for the school for color pupils. He was reappointed in December, 1880 and served as a member of he Board of Aldermen from 1879 until 1899. He began serving his second term, which would have ended in 1910; however, this tern was interrupted by his untimely death on December 30,1899.

The building was erected in 1894. Smith Robertson School was the first public school for Negro boys and girls in the state of Mississippi. The school was named in honor of Mr. Smith Robertson. The school was originally named the West Jackson Colored School and later became known as the “Mother School” it is located in the Capitol City of Jackson, Mississippi.

The new building was constructed after the first one was almost completely destroyed by fire January 3, 1909. The new building was completed in September 1909 and remodeled in 1935 when the Art Deco facade and added along with more classrooms. The school remained open until 1971.. when a court order it closed due to public school desegregation. The building fell into disarray until the efforts of deeply committed local humanitarians became a reality.

Reopened in 1984 as Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center it remains the largest museum in the state of Mississippi that host a vast collection of African American artifacts.

Richard Wright

 A once in a lifetime opportunity awaits you inside the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. Located a stone's throw from the State Capitol building, it's just within walking distance of principal businesses and attractions in downtown Jackson. Through art, artifacts, and photography, the work, lifestyle, and artistic contributions of African Americans are celebrated, evoking a greater understanding of the African-American experience in the Deep South.

Smith Robertson School is also the alma mater of Richard Nathaniel Wright, the author of “ Black Boy” and “Native Son” Wright was a member of the graduate class of 1925, and went on to become a highly acclaimed and world renowned writer.

The museum host several permanent exhibitions of visual art in various mediums. Also on exhibition is a vast collection of period artifacts, oral histories, memorabilia, historical documents, and periodicals. Our main gallery (David Taylor Gallery) showcases local and traveling exhibitions from across the United States. Modern and contemporary shows alternate with those dedicated to art from other cultures and earlier historical periods. The museums primary focus, highlighting the Mississippi African American experience, past and present.

Please  visit the  Smith Robertson and Cultural Center located at
 528 Bloom St., Jackson, MS 39202-4005

Contact number:  601-960-1457