April 15 - July 15, 2021
From The Oakwood Cemetery Chapel:
“To Elevate” demonstrates the legacy of Huston-Tillotson University, an HBCU in Austin, Texas. The exhibit tells the story of those that planted the seeds of Huston-Tillotson’s beginnings, those that carefully tended and spent their life’s energy on managing, improving, and building upon HT, as well as those that continue to pass the torch onward in the elevation of its mission.
The story map features video, photography, digital maps, and other multimedia content to honor and document these leaders, faculty, and alumni. They have raised each other up through commitment to their community, its people, and its future. “To Elevate” celebrates education, which gives people the power to create their own lives and legacies, often against what societies and norms of a time would allow or comprehend.
This exhibit is a collaboration with the Downs-Jones Library and Archives at Huston-Tillotson University.
The legacy of higher education in Austin dates to 1876, when the first college was chartered: Tillotson Collegiate and Normal Institute. In 1877, the origins of Samuel Huston College were founded. Both Institutions would go through their shares of trials and triumphs, before merging in 1952 to become one. Through active lives, Huston-Tillotson leaders, faculty, and alumni have led schools, churches, newspapers, government agencies, and a diverse variety of businesses locally and across the nation.
The outreach focus of the project is a social media challenge: “What does HT mean to me?” Austinites, HT alumni and all who care about African American legacies are invited to answer that question and share online using the hashtags #HT2me #BlackandEducated #HBCU and tagging @hustontillotsonuniversity @htiaa_austin and @austincityparks .
1601 Navasota St.
Austin, 78702 Texas
512-974-1398
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