Completion of African American museum set for summer

BRACEVILLE -- A local group has secured funds to get a house turned into a historical museum to showcase the contributions of the African American community who lived in Braceville.

The Braceville Community Foundation has stayed busy this past year planning for an African American Museum of Braceville to

be located in one of the oldest homes in the community.

Terry and Gwen Shavers are among those leading the effort for the museum focusing on preserving the local history of the African American residents and the culture that was built there.

"We have been brainstorming and working to get the local history preserved. We have the funds and can begin the work. This museum will house our community's legacy by featuring the families who resided in Braceville," Gwen said.

She said that in 2016, interviews were done with some of the older residents, some of whom have since died.

Organizers said those who were interviewed said the local area was part of the Underground Railroad.

Gwen Shavers said Braceville had an area called the Lower Allotment and the Upper Allotment with many of the families coming from Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

They also became known as the Steel Industrial Allotments.

The Lower Allotment was in walking distance from the local steel mills.

Terry Shavers said many of the families lived in the government housing while working at the mills. He said other people built their own homes in the community.

Shavers said the county commissioners have approved $264,000 in American Rescue Plan funding for the museum.

He said if work on the house continues the museum should be open by the late spring or early summer.

"We are meeting to decide what we want to officially call the museum, We are asking folks from the community what it should be called and what we should have in it. No name has been decided yet." he said.

Terry said the house has three rooms on the first floor and three rooms on the second floor with plans to use them as display rooms.

"Each wall in the rooms could be used to showcase the history of a local family. That is one idea we can use to have with this museum. How would you like Braceville represented here?" he said.

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Organizers said when the museum is completed it will be one of the only African American museum in the county showcasing the Underground Railroad and Great Migration from the area.

"This is why we need all the community and anyone who lived in the Upper and Lower allotments in Braceville to share their family's story," Gwen said.

The museum will include sections on the Great Migration from 1900-1930, and early African American settlers before 1900 to 1960.

Gwen said the museum could have a rotating display and highlight accolades such as veterans, sports and different careers.

"We want people to come on board and try to participate," she said.

Terry said back in 2016 is when people started suggesting preserving the local history.

He said large screen television could be in the museum showcasing the history.

Terry Shavers said a documentary is being put together on the African Americans from the Braceville area and their contributions. He said plans are to eventually show it to the public possibly at LaBrae or Harding high schools.

âIt shows the history of Braceville. We wanted to make sure our history was included also,ã Gwen Shavers said.

Terry said the documentary, which he and Ron Hughes directed and produced, tells of the first black settlers in the area and the anti-slavery and abolitionists efforts.

The documentary and scheduled to be premiering publicly in February.

"Some of the earliest African American settlers may have been runaway slaves. Jonathan Braceville, who the township was named for, was one of the first to buy land from Connecticut.

Jonathan was one of the people to purchase the Connecticut Western Reserve property," Terry said.

DISPLAY HISTORY

Gwen said they can scan photos that people may want to share for the museum.

She said the interesting facts on local families is important showcasing the arts, cultural, social, athletics, or funny and memorable information.

Gwen said she is donating a magazine rack that her father made in 1938 to be displayed at the museum.

"Each piece will be labeled, memorialized, and the donating family acknowledged,." she said.

Plans are for digital displays and printed information at the museum.

Theodore Toles III of Braceville said the residents of the township and early forefathers put in the hard work to build up the community and also for the goals they attained both academically and athletically.

Nelson Toles of Warren said the museum project is "outstanding."

"This will be something that people can learn from. It will provide educational items for the public to see." he said.

Terry Shavers said the house has a living room, bedroom and kitchen on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor.

Chuck Yancy said it is great so many of the residents formerly and currently from Braceville were able to come back together again.

"This is a wonderful project," he said.

Gwen Shavers said once open people will come to Braceville to see the museum.

Brian Bugos of Champion and teacher at Newton Falls High School said he can have high school students help clean up the property in the spring as a project for day of service.

Bugos said many people and groups want to help and contribute.

Gwen said the museum will help bring people together and boost the local area.

Information can be sent to bracevilleplatt.org.