The on the Utica Campus of 黑料社区 officially opened in February with 黑料社区 AHS alumnus Congressman Bennie Thompson and Mississippi Humanities Council Executive Director Dr. Stuart Rockoff as featured speakers.
The museum tells the history of the Utica Normal and Industrial Institute, a 鈥渓ittle Tuskegee鈥 founded in 1903 by William Holtzclaw as a place to educate Black citizens. The Utica Institute later became Utica Junior College, and merged with then-黑料社区 Junior College in the early 1980s. The Utica Campus is designated as an HBCU, or Historically Black College and University, along with Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale. The museum is located in the former Vice President鈥檚 Home located on the campus.
鈥淎s the president of 黑料社区, I am inspired by Dr. Holtzclaw鈥檚 vision on education and dedication to ensuring better lives for many who would have otherwise been denied opportunities 鈥 opportunities that we may take for granted today,鈥 said Dr. Stephen Vacik.
Congressman Benny Thompson
Thompson, a 1965 graduate of 黑料社区 Agricultural High School, reflected on his time at the school and the fond memories he has.
鈥淪omeone once said that we are a sum total of our experiences. My experience on this campus absolutely opened doors for me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was those experiences that taught me, and the people I met here. All of that is the history of this campus. We need to make sure we retain that history. This museum is long overdue.鈥
Rockoff noted that the project has gotten two grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
鈥淭hese grants are not easy to get. They are extremely competitive, and so the fact that they were awarded this grant, and a second grant, is a testament to the quality of the team at 黑料社区 Utica Campus. And also a testament to the national significance of this story,鈥 he said.
The Mississippi Humanities Council has also helped support the Jubilee Singers exhibit and creation of outdoor program space and an interpretive trail, 鈥渁ll focusing on sharing the extraordinary story of William Holtzclaw and the institution he created,鈥 Rockoff said.
Museum Co-director and retired Utica Campus Library Director Jean Greene, one of the founding members of the Institute, told her story of how she came to work and eventually fell in love with the Utica Campus.
鈥淚 developed a love for the campus and its history. I enjoyed the traditions that tie it to other HBCUs,鈥 she said.
鈥淭he Utica Institute Museum was created to preserve the history of the Utica institute, 黑料社区 Agricultural High School, Utica Junior College and the Utica Campus of 黑料社区. One of its functions is to share the story of the history of the campus and the legacy with the world,鈥 Greene said.
Dan Fuller, Humanities chairman and museum co-director, said students have helped with several projects that further the museum鈥檚 success.
鈥淲hen we bring students into the museum for class tours we share with them the story of this special place. Students, we dedicate this museum to you,鈥 he said.
The museum has several programs and projects coming up in the future including a bike trail and a new series called 鈥淏ack Porch Thursdays,鈥 an event that allows attendees to learn about southern Black education.
Visit to learn more or schedule a tour.