African American Tour of Huntsville

African Americans had a long a varied history in Huntsville thanks to the support of community leaders like Joshua Houston. The tour will begin at the Samuel Walker Houston Cultural Center with time to explore the many photographs and exhibits in the building. From there, the Joye Mobile will take participants up to see the site of the Bishop Ward Normal Institute, before continuing down 10th Street. Joshua Houston's home is marked as is the First Baptist church as part of the community's religious history. Avenue M was known as The Drag where dozens of African American businesses existed. The only remnant today is Cox Funeral Home, Joshua Walker Junior's home and St. James Methodist Church. Heading out of town, the tour will go by Emancipation Park, and the location of the African American Grant’s Colony and cemetery before heading out Highway 30 to see the Galilee Community settlement where there are plans to build a new cultural center. We'll end the tour back at the current Cultural Center with time for questions and further explorations of the exhibits.