Official Launch of the Discover Heritage Map: An interactive website developed to highlight the historic sites of east Austin. Reception and live demonstration, Tuesday, September 30, 3:00-4:00PM Kealing Middle School Auditorium 1607 Pennsylvania Ave. AUSTIN, TEXAS – Did you know that the Hillside Farmacy was once a real pharmacy? The students at Kealing Middle School know! Do you know the name of the architect who designed David Chapel and other churches and homes located within the African American Cultural Heritage District? Ask a Kealing Middle School student! On September 30th, Austins African American Cultural Heritage District and students at Kealing Middle School will launch the Discovery Heritage Map, an interactive website that tells little known stories of Austins African American community through the eyes of historic east Austin. The map, designed by Coldshower Design features 10 sites within the district, some that have state or national registry as an historic site, others that are important to the cultural rubric of Austin. “East Austin has such a rich history of people, places and events, and we want to ensure that history continues to live in the hearts and minds of future generations,” says Freddie Dixon of the African American Cultural Heritage District (AACHD). Kealing students conducted research on each site, wrote a script for the narrator and recorded the docent, Harrison Eppright of Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. The launch will give the students the opportunity to explain how the website works and their participation on the continuing project. Robin Lowe the principal of Kealing Middle School says that the Discovery website fits into her efforts to better connect the students to the surrounding community. “The students and faculty were surprised to hear about the history that surrounds our school”. “Kealing Middle School is the ideal partner for developing the website” said Lisa Byrd, the founding executive director of Austin’s African American Cultural Heritage District. “The school itself is of historic significance.” Byrd talking about why the map was developed, “we want to enable interested people to visit the district and learn about the community no matter where in the world they might be located. The African American Cultural Heritage District was formed in late 2013 to preserve the history and promote East Austin. The district was approved by the City of Austin in 2007 and comprises approximately six square miles of central east Austin from Manor Road to the North; Huston Tillotson, south; Airport Blvd, east; and I-35 as the western boundary. The District is home to numerous sites of national, regional and local historic significance and celebrates African Americans and others who played important roles in creating the vibrancy of Austin. The AACHD is chaired by businessman Adrian Neely. The executive director is artist and activist Lisa Byrd. Board members include Rev. Freddie Dixon, architect Emily Little, attorney James Nortey and museum curator Bernadette Phifer. Kealing Middle School is named for Hightower Theodore Kealing, an African-American educator, writer, editor and activist in Austin in the 19th century, the school opened in the fall of 1930 as the first junior high school for African-American students in Austin. The first principal was Professor I.Q. Hurdle, who served from 1930 to 1939. Principal T.C. Calhoun then led Kealing until 1971, when the school was closed as part of Austin’s desegregation efforts. After serving as an annex for the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and community programs, Kealing’s building was devastated by fire. In 1986, the school reopened as a junior high school, both for students in the Kealing neighborhood and for students throughout AISD who were accepted into its rigorous and innovative academic magnet math and science program. In 1993, the magnet program expanded to include a focus on the liberal arts as well. In the fall of 2004, Kealing opened its sixth grade program and became a middle school.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:47:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015