From the Hammonton Gazette, January 4, 2006 ..... The Love of Artby Renee AielloGazette Staff Writer The African American Heritage Museum, located in the Dr Martin Luther King Center, off Route 54 on Jackson Road, is currently home to the African American Jersey Girls exhibit until December 30. The museum was founded by Ralph Hunter Sr. Hunter had originally been a merchant for 40 years, but he had been collecting African American memorabilia his entire life. Hunter’s first piece was purchased in a shop in North Carolina. The piece was a book entitled Little Black Sambo. “I’ve spent my whole life savings starting this museum and it’s really coming full circle,” Hunter said. The African American Heritage Museum is one of southern New Jersey’s hidden treasures. The African American Jersey Girl exhibit features the work of six artists ranging in ages from early teens to late 60s. Some of the women’s talents are newly discovered, while others have been honing and perfecting their artistic talent for years. The women include Kandice Fields, Joan Reeves, Lois Smith, Asa Zuberi, Khalaiah Barnes and Donnie Hill. Barnes, a new talent, is a 17 year old student at Buena Regional High School. She accidentally discovered her talent during eighth grade when she was asked to draw a picture of a live chicken. “The guy who brought in the chicken said that I captured the essence of the chicken,” Barnes said. Barnes has since completed 20 pieces of work all from a variety of mediums. She has numerous pieces on display at the museum as part of the Jersey Girls exhibit. Art has created an outlet for Barnes that allows her to step out of her normal skin. “[It’s] the freedom that you can do whatever you want and it’s yours. You learn to look at things differently,” Barnes said. Hunter has only one request of artists as their work is featured in the museum. As exhibits change and artists cycle through, Hunters asks that each leaves a remnant of their work. “Each artist must leave one piece of original signed work. We have a committee that makes the selection,” Hunter said. Not only does the museum house works of art from various artists, but there are two rooms dedicated to memorabilia that have molded and shaped the African American culture. As Hunter walked through the museum, he explained that there is a story behind every piece of memorabilia. There are certain items that visitors are encouraged to touch and feel, in order to gain a better perspective of African American culture. “We’re interactive when we bring folks into the museum,” Hunter said. There are a range of items in the museum including a life-size cardboard cutout of basketball legend Julius Erving (Dr. J) of the Philadelphia 76ers, Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix boxes and documentation of the Madam C.J. Walker who invented the curling iron and straightening comb, as well as Madam Sara S. Washington who operated the first African American Golf Course. The museum expertly chronicles the multitude of great achievements of African American culture. Hunter revealed that The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey will soon be joining forces with the African American Heritage Museum in hopes of preserving the museum’s archives. According to Hunter, Stockton will be archiving all 7,000 of the museum’s pieces and will eventually be holding a class at the museum. “That’s the marriage with Richard Stockton College. It [the museum] will maintain roots here,” Hunter said. Hunter’s job has been a lifetime of collecting African American memorabilia which has finally come to pass. “The ride has been incredible for the simple reason that we are able to share and people share with us,” Hunter said. Hunter is an art connoisseur, who has immersed himself into a career that he thoroughly enjoys. “Just looking at a piece and finding the little details. That’s what I love about my job,” Hunter said. Call 704-7262 for more information about the African American Heritage Museum. [Photo] Khalaiah Barnes stands with her pieces "The Storm" and "City Lights," THG/Renee Aiello
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