When most Americans think of preserving Black history, they might picture the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. But the nation's historically Black colleges and universities have been doing this work for more than a century—often with far fewer resources and recognition.
Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture.File photo
"At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs" features archival collections from five institutions—Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University—demonstrating how these schools have functioned as repositories of African American intellectual, artistic, and activist traditions. The exhibition runs through July 19.
Nearly two-thirds of the nation's HBCUs maintain museums, art galleries, or archives, according to the Smithsonian. Yet many Americans remain unaware of the cultural treasures housed within these institutions.
"This exhibition honors the legacy of HBCUs as cultural and educational powerhouses," said Shanita Brackett, acting director of the museum. "Through these collections from our partner institutions, we see the breadth of Black intellectual excellence, activism and artistic achievement, reinforcing the vital role HBCUs play in shaping American history."
The more than 100 objects on display are organized around three themes: student activism, Black scholarship, and the arts at HBCUs.
Among the rare materials featured are first editions of renowned writer Margaret Walker's novel Jubilee and poetry collection For My People, scientific journals from Tuskegee researchers, and handcrafted pottery from Tuskegee Institute. One highlight includes color video footage of agricultural scientist George Washington Carver—one of only a handful of such recordings known to exist.
The exhibition also documents HBCU students' pivotal role in the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Archival footage shows their participation in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, student uprisings at Tuskegee in 1968, and organized protests following the 1970 Jackson State killings, when Mississippi highway patrol and local police fired into a dormitory, killing two students and wounding twelve others.
The exhibition's title deliberately positions HBCUs as institutions that have long been "at the vanguard" of preserving Black history—often before mainstream institutions acknowledged its importance.
For researchers and historians, the exhibition raises important questions about resource allocation. While HBCUs have served as crucial archives of Black history, many struggle with inadequate funding for preservation and digitization efforts. Experts note that the partnership with the Smithsonian represents both recognition of their work and an opportunity to bring greater visibility to collections that deserve broader access and support.
