Saving African American Sacred Spaces

Save Our African American Treasures: A National Collections Initiative of Discovery and Preservation will begin with one program in Chicago, IL, that focuses on the preservation issues of faith communities, called Saving African American Sacred Spaces. Prompted by the destruction by fire of Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church in January 2006, NMAAHC has sought ways to alert the local community to the conservation issues endangering their heritage, before it is too late.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is actively working to bring individuals and organizations together to heighten awareness of the need to protect and preserve this precious material culture, from the historic buildings to the important documents inside the buildings. In October of 2006, NMAAHC participated in and co-sponsored a program at the DuSable Museum in Chicago, "The Lessons of Pilgrim Baptist Church: Preventing the Loss of Your Heritage." Material and presentations provided by the Society of American Archivists, Howard University, the Robert W. Woodruff Library in Atlanta, the Presbyterian Historical Society, and the Archdiocese of Chicago included practical information on how to select what to save (and what to throw away), descriptions of archival techniques and supplies, writing and presenting church histories, and developing emergency plans to safeguard church structures and their contents.

Future programs will share information with participants about how to protect their buildings, archives, historic photographs, paintings, furniture, organs, stain glass windows, and how to collect oral histories. Community members will also learn of the available funding and partnership opportunities that can assist in this preservation.

Planning for a Saving African American Sacred Spaces program has already begun. In November 2006, museum staff went to Chicago, IL, to meet with community leaders and local representatives of cultural institutions to develop ideas. The meeting took place at Quinn Chapel, United AME Church, a historic building and active congregation since 1844. Quinn Chapel is currently undergoing renovations to stabilize and restore its historic structure. Representatives from the church community throughout Chicago participated, as well as people actively working in preservation and museums. Those attending discussed what a useful public program should include and the most effective ways to a deliver a program that is accessible and useful. The program is scheduled to take place fall 2007.