Bridging Generations: The Birth of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona
In 2022, a simple yet transformative project assignment prompted Beverely Elliott, a retired educator and passionate advocate for local history, to embark on a journey that would significantly impact her community. Her grandson, Jody, a curious first-grader, was tasked with a Black History Month project. Jody, eager to learn about local African American history, posed a pivotal question: “Who can we learn about from Southern Arizona?”
Elliott, driven to find suitable resources, soon discovered a lack of materials documenting local African American contributions, a realization that left her both concerned and motivated. When Jody suggested she should “start a museum,” an idea began to take shape.
The Inception of AAMSAZ
Fast forward to today—the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ) stands as a testament to that initial spark of inspiration. Co-founded by Elliott and her husband, this museum aims to celebrate and educate the community about the rich tapestry of African American history in Southern Arizona.
Academic Collaboration
In a remarkable partnership, AAMSAZ collaborated with the University of Arizona’s Department of History to create a unique learning opportunity for first-year college students. Over the 2024 and 2025 fall semesters, students enrolled in the course History 102: Tucson Matters: Making History with Community Museums worked closely with museum staff to delve into historically overlooked narratives and cultural contributions of African Americans in the region.
Experiential Learning at Its Best
Professor Katherine Morrissey, head of the history department, articulated the course’s innovative approach. “When people think of undergraduate research, they often imagine hands-on work in a science laboratory,” she said. “In history, we approach research differently: the archives become our history lab.” Instead of conventional lectures, students engage with the community and its history through direct interaction and research.
From the very beginning of the semester, students venture beyond classroom walls, exploring local museums, archives, and historical sites. Guided by professionals in the field, they learn to handle original documents, interpret primary sources, and navigate census records, significantly enhancing their understanding of local history.
Engaging Local Histories
In fall 2025, students were fortunate to visit the Dunbar Pavilion, a cultural center established in what was once a segregated school for African Americans in Tucson. Here, they not only learned about the space’s significance but also heard firsthand accounts from those who experienced segregation, deepening their understanding of the complex narratives that shape local history.
Working in research groups formed around specific topics, students focused on areas informed by community members who identified gaps in historical documentation. Their projects included everything from military histories to social life in local communities, providing invaluable contributions to the museum’s collections.
Notable Research Contributions
One significant student-led research project examined Cathay Williams, a formerly enslaved woman who stealthily enlisted in the U.S. Army as a man, serving with the Buffalo Soldiers. By analyzing military records and historical accounts, students contextualized her life within Arizona’s history, showcasing how individual stories contribute to broader narratives of African American military service.
Researching the Beau Brummel Club, an iconic African American social and entertainment venue, allowed students to trace how this establishment figured into Tucson’s cultural landscape. They connected local venues to national trends in African American entertainment, shedding light on the city’s role in larger cultural movements.
Economic Anchors and Community Spaces
Another project focused on African American barbershops, which have historically served as informal community centers and economic anchors. By reconstructing individual barbers’ histories and shop locations since the 1880s, students illuminated the vital societal roles these establishments have played in Southern Arizona.
One student’s remarkable commitment included visiting a barbershop to experience its cultural role firsthand, highlighting the immersive nature of their research.
Documenting Safe Havens
Moreover, research into Green Book sites uncovered local homes, businesses, and restaurants that provided safe accommodations for African American travelers during segregation. This documentation helped map Tucson’s involvement in national travel networks, revealing how local families created a supportive environment for traveling athletes—a testament to community resilience.
Honoring Local Heroes
Research on Mansfield Park, renamed to honor civil rights advocate Doris J. Thompson, allowed students to engage with contemporary civic issues. By uncovering Thompson’s contributions and the renaming process, they connected historical scholarship to current community narratives.
A Growing Legacy
As the museum’s audience continues to expand and student research generates new material for future exhibits, there remains a pressing need for physical space to accommodate this growth. Beverely Elliott expresses hope for future expansions on campus to ensure the museum thrives.
By nurturing student engagement and fostering community involvement, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona represents a vital intersection between history, education, and community life, embodying the spirit of inquiry that first inspired a young boy to ask his grandmother a simple question.
With ongoing collaborations and a commitment to public scholarship, AAMSAZ not only preserves local African American narratives but also empowers the next generation to participate actively in shaping and sharing their community’s history.
