Separated by the Red River, Shreveport and Bossier City trace their history back more than 170 years when “Shreve Town” was the stopping point for steamboats that would later transport cotton and timber up and down the Red River. This area was the hub of what was called the Red River cotton parishes. It is in this corner of northwest Louisiana where the rolling timber hills meet the Red River bottoms – 30 miles from Arkansas to the north and 10 miles from Texas to the west.

In its 1830’s origins, Shreveport was also the western-most U.S. outpost bordering what was then either Mexico or the Republic of Texas. (Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836 and became a state in 1845.)

In the formative years, either east or west, in these so-called river bottom areas that were fueled by slavery, cotton was the economic king. Later, it was oil. As was often the case in the early years of North Louisiana’s rural areas, African captives (and a few free blacks) outnumbered whites in this area’s.

Their influence is still strong as evidenced by institutions and culture. I will visit two places in Shreveport – the Southern University Museum of Art and the Multicultural Center of the South, located within two blocks of each other on Texas Street, downtown. Both of these institutions often conduct school and group tours. I will also look at some other areas where African-Americans have made contributions – from business to education and music among other areas.

Southern University Museum of Art at Shreveport
When you walk into the foyer of 610 Texas St., you get a feeling of an urban college environment – teachers and students in classrooms and students with backpacks are milling around. Which, in fact, is the case. You have just entered the downtown campus of the Southern University-Shreveport, a branch of Southern University’s main campus in Baton Rouge.

Straight ahead is the museum. Hard wood floors, wrought iron railings and stained glass windows make this museum experience unique. It is a bi-level facility. The first level gives the impression of an interior court yard; the exhibits on the second level are displayed in a balcony-like setting. The lower level has original art and crafts by African-Americans. It is a combination of permanent and temporary exhibits. The upper level houses some 300 pieces of art and artifacts from Africa. Many of the pieces come from the personal collections of Dr. Leon R. Tarver II, Shreveport native and former president of the Southern University System and Dr. William Bertrand, former vice president of research at Tulane University. The purpose of the museum, the nucleus of which comes from Tarver’s 17 years of travel to Africa, is to educate the community about the history of African and African-Americans through art, crafts and artifacts.

The African collection include ceremonial masks, statues, fabric, furniture and a variety of artifacts from Mali, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast of West African, Cameroon and the Congo. There is a pair of shackles worn by African slaves. The African-American art is from the permanent collection of the Southern University Museum of Art in Baton Rouge. It features the works such renowned artists as Howard Smith, Phoebe Beasley and John Biggers. The museum also exhibits the art of local and other artists periodically. Ethiopian artist Tesfaye Negusse’s paintings were the featured display on this trip.

Some artifacts, artwork and other items can be purchased in the museum store.

Multicultural Center of the South
When you think of Shreveport, you probably don’t think of cultural diversity beyond the usual English European and African presence. But at this museum, think also in terms of Asian, Cajun, Creole (which also include French, African and Spanish), East Indian, German, Greek, Hispanic, Irish, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Scottish and Slavic among others. There are 26 cultures represented. These cultural groups represent people from the many parts of the world living in Shreveport today.

This four-story structure houses over 2,000 artifacts displayed in 19 cultural exhibits. Some of the displays change to reflect programming priorities and cultural events. In cooperation with the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, for example, the center features traveling exhibits covering such topics as civil rights, music and literature. The 54, 275 ft. facility includes a library, cultural activity center, training space, dance studio and art gallery. Special exhibit rooms showcase different artists and themes.

Two permanent exhibits are of interest to African-Americans – a room with African artifacts and clothing and the recreation of the inside of a Creole House.

When I was there, the museum staff was preparing a display on African-American women. Another permanent display on African-American history from slavery to the present will be finished later this year.

There are permanent exhibits for most groups and temporary ones which focus on specific and periodic topics of various groups. For example, the annual “Unity Tree” lighting ceremony is held in December where children from various cultures dressed in native attire place ornaments on the tree.

Overall, there is a good representation of art, history and other displays relating to African-Americans. It is worth the visit.

Other African-American cultural attractions in Shreveport

Antioch Baptist Church
Founded in 1866, this is the oldest black Baptist church in Shreveport. This Romanesque Revival-style is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by noted African-American architect Nathaniel Skyes Allen. Open to public for group appointments only.

Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter statue
The work of Shreveport artist Jesse Pitts, this bronze life-size statue of the legendary blues singer stands pointing toward Ledbetter Heights, a neighborhood named after him.

Little Union Baptist Church
This church was the frequent meeting place for civil rights workers during the 1960. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke here several times. Open to public by appointment only.

Stage of Stars Museum and Municipal Auditorium
A venue for local and touring artists; this is where Elvis Presley got his start on the Louisiana Hayride. Noted African-American singers who have performed here include: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King and others. Open to the public Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 P.M. Group rate $2.

Old Central Colored High School
This two-story structure was built in 1917. For blacks, it was Caddo Parish’s first high school and the first brick school for black students. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 
Please visit these other important spots along the North Louisiana African American Heritage Trail:
 
Hermione Museum
 
Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Museum
 
Grambling State University/The Eddie G. Robinson Museum