African American Heritage Preservation
African American Heritage Preservation
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE INITIATIVE
In 2022, the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) launched a project to preserve San Antonio’s African American heritage. This project includes the development of an African American Cultural Context Statement, as well as a survey of historic resources. The project identifies significant places, events, and people, in addition to intangible heritage, which includes foods, songs, dances, festivals, and spirituality. Community engagement is essential to this project, contributing to cultural mapping exercises and oral history interviews. The work has resulted in educational exhibits and designations to preserve and promote African American heritage.
This initiative is made possible with generous funding from the Texas Historical Commission, The National Park Service, the Conservation Society of San Antonio, and numerous in-kind services from community partners. (photo credit: all photos on the website banner are courtesy of UTSA Special Collections.)
VISION
We will work with the community to tell their own story. Community meetings will be held monthly to gather input and stories from citizens. We will conduct thoughtful, thorough research on San Antonio's Black community. We will be guided by an advisory group of leaders and citizens of the African American Community.
GOALS
- To designate African American cultural heritage resources.
- To build awareness, appreciation, and respect of, and for, African American cultural heritage.