Renowned Photographer and Photojournalist Cecil Williams Announces Plans to Open New Museum | The HBCU Foundation, Inc.
Among any living photographer, the Cecil Williams Historically Significant Image Collection, estimated to be 100,000 – 250,000, is one of the world’s largest collections depicting African American heritage, history, culture, and civil rights. The Cecil Williams Museum will permanently display 350 images; a number far exceeding those of all others civil rights museums.
The ultra-modern CECIL WILLIAMS MUSEUM & INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL INNOVATION honors a generation of people, Black & White, throughout the South Carolina and The United States, who deserve to be remembered for their unselfish commitments and sacrifices: They destroyed Jim Crow, demanded dignity and justice for all people, changed the Constitution, and inspired mankind.
Situated in a residential area, the significance of the location is related directly to the metaphoric rise against injustice and segregation by Cecil Williams—who after graduation from high school was barred from attending Clemson to study architecture—designed three minimalist-styled homes; one of which was featured in June 1977 EBONY as a “Space Age Home.” He designed the above building, now museum, in 1983—36 years ago.
Throughout South Carolina and the United States, museums in residential areas include: Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, Monroe Street, Topeka,Kansas; Modeska Simkins House/Museum, 2025 Marion Street, Columbia, SC; Martin Luther King – Birth House, 501 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia; Benjamin Mayes Historic Site, 229 Hospital Street, Greenwood, SC; Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 210 Parkside Drive, West Branch, IA; John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, MA; Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum, 2313 Red River Street, Austin, TX,; and 183 others. And of course, we all are aware the Barack Obama Presidential Library is located in a South Chicago residential area—Jackson Park.
In addition to being a divine-driven, the Cecil Williams Museum and Institute for Social Innovation will also function as a neighborhood community center; a role it has already served during the past 18 years. The subdued exterior of the property will be identified only by a posted 12 inch by 18 inch identification sign. All visitors are welcomed by appointment and special hours beginning May 17, 2019.
The Cecil Williams Museum serves as a link between past, present, and future generations, who are reminded that our history proceeds forward not only as a results of actions of governmental leaders, but also from the actions of ordinary Americans.
The HBCU Foundation™ is proud to partner in support of The Cecil Williams Museum and Institute for Social Change.