African American Heritage Preservation Initiative

Images (left to right, and clockwise): Portrait of Julia Lowery, Educator, Jenenia and Mercedee Smith, Don Albert with members of his band the Ink Spots, Cowboy on horseback. All images courtesy of the UTSA Libraries Special Collections.

Overview

In 2022, the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) launched a project to preserve San Antonio’s African American heritage. This project includes developing an African American Cultural Context Statement and conducting a survey of historic resources. The project identifies significant places, events, and people, as well as intangible heritage, including foods, songs, dances, festivals, and spirituality. Community engagement is essential to this project, contributing to cultural mapping exercises and oral history interviews. The work has resulted in educational exhibits and designations to preserve and promote African American heritage.

This initiative is made possible with generous funding from the Texas Historical Commission, The National Park Service, the Conservation Society of San Antonio, and numerous in-kind services from community partners.