BRACEVILLE — Work is being finalized to open the Braceville African American Heritage Museum off Cedar Street in the township next spring.

Terry Shavers, who has served on the Braceville Community Foundation committee that worked at restoring the oldest house in the township, said most of the interior of the house is done with plans for work on the exterior and landscaping.

“The committee has worked very hard and we wanted them to have an opportunity to see the work and progress that has been done so far,” Shavers said.

The house has several rooms dedicated to particular themes, including a community sports room and family memorabilia rooms.

“We have set aside two rooms for families to display photos and memorabilia. The sports room shows the local athletes from the community such as Ernie Shavers and Roscoe Toles,” Shavers said.

Photos, uniforms and sports equipment of athletes from different sports fields are displayed.

There also is a display of local veterans from the Braceville area.

Gwen Shavers said in one room on the wall is a 36-foot-by-24-foot collage of the people from Braceville who served in the military over the years. The display is on a wall on the first floor and has more than 80 names of Braceville residents who served their country in different branches of the service.

“We have such a rich history from the community that we want the public to know about. We want to generate enough interest in our local history, which will bring people here,” said Gwen Shavers, a committee member.

She said items have been donated to the foundation by family members of the community.

The county commissioners, who recently toured the museum, approved American Rescue Plan funds for the work on the 1925 historic house to make it handicapped accessible.

“The ARP funds allowed us to do a total renovation. We thank the commissioners for their help,” Gwen Shavers said.

She said she hopes those who come to the museum will leave seeing the rich history of people who lived in Braceville.

“I always tell people Braceville is 25 square miles of where many African Americans lived. We have a rich heritage of all the people who lived here. There are so many people who did good things who came out of this community,” Gwen Shavers said.

“We want the local African American families’ stories to be part of the local history,” Terry Shavers said.

Annette Watts of Braceville, a committee member, said the committee has done a great job with more to come.

“This museum is a token to all the families who grew up in Braceville,” Watts said.

She said the upstairs has some rooms decorated with beds, quilts, kerosene lamps and other items, but the main rooms are on the first floor.

“The families who came here from the South would stay with the other families already here,” Watts said, noting many homes were crowded with family members.

Watts said she grew up in a house nearby, attended the local church and visited the house where the museum is.

Terry Shavers said work is being done to use the garage for displays as well.

There is also a 1930s census that includes names of many families of Braceville, including many with relatives who are still living here. Gwen Shavers said many former residents attend the annual summer African American families reunion.

Terry Shavers brought items to display of his parents, Dan and Katie Shavers, who were known for their photography.

“Terry’s mom had so many photos and she would scrapbook everything,” Gwen said.

Braceville resident Henry Brown said he was very impressed at the work that has been done so far.

“The whole house is amazing. There was a lot of work and effort to make this museum,” Brown said.

Brittany Watts of Warren said she is proud of her Braceville heritage and glad it is being showcased and shared for public viewing.

“I have always wanted to carry with me the history of my family and other families from Braceville,” she said.

Ted Toles III of Braceville said, “I think it is amazing what has been able to be done. I remember so many of the men who were professional boxers who grew up here and had careers.”

He said his uncle was a boxer who fought Joe Lewis.

The Shavers said the museum’s purpose is to promote knowledge of Trumbull County’s Underground Railroad, Great Migration, and African-American history.