'Learn, live, look'

Museum in Buena Vista Township is treasure trove of African-American memorabilia and information

In a rural section of Atlantic County, a public service ad occupies a corner of a wall in a black history museum.

The plea for contributions from the United Negro College Fund depicts a middle-age woman in a green uniform and begins: “My mother is scrubbing floors so I can become a doctor.”

Ralph E. Hunter Sr., founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, connects emotionally with the advertisement His mother and grandmother were domestics.

“I didn’t become a doctor,” said the 67-year-old collector, “but my son became a doctor. It goes to show that hard work pays off. I see that uniform and I see my grandmother.”

The museum, in the Newtonville section of Buena Vista Township, houses thousands of photographs, paintings, figures, toys and more.

It’s a realistic and unrealistic, positive and negative mix of depictions of black people.

Hunter, who retired from the import-export business, wants the whole story to be told.

“The museum came out of a collection that I had of some 3,000 pieces,” Hunter said. “I wanted to share my collection with people so they had an opportunity to understand the events of the past 200 years and the contributions that African Americans have made.”

Founded in 2003

Hunter founded the museum in 2003. It’s housed in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, a township-operated facility that offers a variety of activities for local children and adults.

The museum’s slogan is “Learn from the past, live in the present, look to the future.”

Recently, Hunter pointed to a colorized photo of a family gathered hearth-side.

Mother and children gaze at a picture of a black soldier above the fireplace, patriarch of the family. Images of presidents Washington, Wilson, Lincoln, an Oriental rug and a vase of roses suggest this is a patriotic, well-to-do family.

“It proves the point that African Americans served their country and African Americans did very well,” said Hunter.

One display, without photo, is a tribute to the first black woman to earn a degree in dentistry. Ida Gray Nelson Rollins is likely unknown to most people.

“That’s why I had to bring people in here and tell them the story,” said Hunter, an outgoing man whose enthusiasm for his subject is as large as the collection.

In addition to many pieces devoted to Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement, there is information and memorabilia on Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Julius Irving, Bayard Rustin, Flip Wilson and many others.

There are derogatory images, too, including portraits of grinning, shuffling blacks. Early Aunt Jemimas are big-lipped caricatures. Later, Jemima is transformed into a modern women minus the head kerchiefs.

In an ad for Bull Durham smoking tobacco, a person in a bandana smokes while a child devours watermelon. The caption reads, “My! It shure am sweet tastan.”

There are also many positive images, including local figures. Madame Sara S. Washington of Atlantic City was a beauty products entrepreneur.

The museum takes its show on the road, too. Lena Gault, a fourth-grade teacher in Pleasantville, said museum staffers recently visited the South Main Street School. For example, children working in groups had to pair a question about a singer with a “once in a lifetime” voice with the answer, Marian Anderson.

“I think it was very interesting for the children, because they made it very interactive,” said the 32-year-old teacher.

Hunter features changing exhibits in the modest museum, as well as modern artists. Two dozen of Pennsauken artist Todd Johnson’s works will be displayed through February. The pieces are brightly colored acrylics and digitalized art.

The 44-year-old artist, who is originally from Atlantic City, appreciates the blend of old and new at the museum.

“We learn from the past and, hopefully, we can make those lessons go forward,” said Johnson.

Reach Judith W. Winne at (856) 486-2441 or jwinne@courierpostonline.com

IF YOU GO

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Inc. is at 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, Buena Vista Township. Hours in February are 10 am. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Groups should call ahead. See www.africanamericanheritagemuseum.org or call (609) 704-7262. Admission is free, but donations are requested. From the Cherry Hill area, take the Atlantic City Expressway to exit 28, then Route 54 south. At second light, turn left onto Jackson Road. Continue for a mile to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center.

KING CENTER

• The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newtonville, which houses the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, provides a variety of activities for local residents. Among the offerings at the community center, which is operated by Buena Vista Township, are piano lessons, movie nights, teen nights, story times, game nights and drill team practices. A schedule of the center’s events is at www.africanamericanheritagemuseum.org.

[Photo #1]    Ralph E. Hunter Sr. is president and founder of the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey in Buena Vista Township. Photos by PARIS L. GRAY, Courier Post

[Photo #2]   One of the artifacts at the museum is a 1965 copy of 'Ebony' magazine that featured Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the cover.

[Photo #3]   A program from the 1963 March on Washington is on display in the museum.

[Photo #4]   A program lists the speakers and events from the March on Washington.

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey
661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, NJ 08346, 609-704-7262; (fax: 704-7263)
email: rhunter@AAHMSNJ.org

This site maintained by Bob Barnett.
Last updated: 2005 Second Month, 27th.