Photo by Robert Stewart, Photographer, Office of Public Affairs
Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture
The Community Archiving Workshop (CAW) Collective and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture’s Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History (NMAAHC-CDCAAHC) organized a one-day workshop in partnership with the Mound Bayou Museum of African-American Culture and History.
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Location: Delta State University
Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives and Museum Building
WORKSHOP PARTNERS
The Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Robert Frederick Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History (NMAAHC-CDCAAH) uses an innovative approach to technology to preserve African American history, through four related initiatives: the Explore Your Family History Center (FHC), the Community Curation Program (CCP), the Great Migration Home Movie Project (GMHMP), and the Internships and Fellowships Program (IFP). Through each component, the Museum seeks to expand access to African American history and cultivate broad interest in America’s Black past, genealogy, and culture. Through the Community Curation Program, the Smith Center collaborates with cultural heritage sites, libraries, archives, historical societies, and HBCUs to preserve and make more accessible historical materials, supporting these institutions’ sustainability and demonstrating their relevance to a broader and deeper understanding of human experience. We seek out community-based archives and work with them to create digital spaces and resources that tell the stories of historically Black neighborhoods and institutional anchors such as churches, Black-owned businesses and HBCUs, to facilitate inspiring, social justice-centered educational experiences for museum audiences. Ongoing digitization, preservation and education projects and relationships with both rural and urban African American communities amplify the experiences and perspectives of groups that have been underrepresented in museums, not only in terms of documenting and narrating the stories of institutions, communities, and individuals of people of African descent, but also as professionals working in museum spaces, so that descendant communities can impactfully and thoughtfully engage with their own histories.
About Mound Bayou Museum of African-American Culture History
https://www.moundbayoumuseum.org/about-us/
A treasure trove of history, culture, and community. Located in the heart of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the Mound Bayou Museum of African-American Culture History illuminates the rich tapestry of this extraordinary town.
- A Window into History: The Mound Bayou Museum is a living chronicle of the town’s past. Step inside and be transported back in time to witness the founding of one of the first all-black towns in America, a town forged with determination and vision.
- Celebrating Self-Determination: Museum exhibits tell the story of self-determination and empowerment. Learn how Mound Bayou residents built schools, businesses, and institutions, defying the constraints of a segregated society to create a thriving community.
- Civil Rights Significance: Mound Bayou played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. Explore the legacies of civil rights leaders who emerged from this town, championing the cause of justice and equality on a national scale.
- Cultural Showcase: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Mound Bayou. From art and music to traditions that have been passed down through generations, our museum celebrates the artistic and cultural contributions of this remarkable community.
- A Place of Community: Beyond artifacts and exhibits, the Mound Bayou Museum is a gathering place. Engage with our welcoming community, participate in events, and discover firsthand the warmth and hospitality that define Mound Bayou.
- Preservation for Posterity: By visiting the museum, you become a guardian of history. Your support helps preserve the legacy of Mound Bayou for future generations, ensuring that its stories and achievements are never forgotten.