Exhibition: For Whence We Stand

On View: October 19, 2024 – January 14, 2025

From the African American Research Center at the Gregory School ,

For Whence We Stand is a documentary exhibit designed to create awareness, inform, educate, and stimulate learning through positive imaging and storytelling using mixed media, photography, and cinematography. The exhibit tells the story of the people fighting to preserve the cultural heritage of their community and the African American experience in Houston. Freedmen’s Town, a living laboratory of African American history and life, was founded after the Civil War in 1865. The Freedmen, originally from small farms and plantations south and southwest of Houston along the Brazos River, migrated to Houston via the San Felipe Road, a significant migration route that symbolized their journey to freedom and opportunity. Many settled on the Buffalo Bayou’s swampy banks, where they established their community.

The Freedmen, a community of skilled stonemasons and carpenters, built their homes, businesses, churches, and even paved their streets with bricks they paid for themselves. This original settlement evolved into the economic, spiritual, and cultural heart of Houston’s African American community. The self-sufficient Freedmen’s Town boasted its businesses, hospital, and unique and intriguing architecture that continues to fascinate visitors today. Schools, a library, YMCA, YWCA, and various denominational churches were also part of this vibrant community. More than 95% of Houston’s first African American businesses were located in Freedmen’s Town, a testament to the community’s entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.

Exhibition Location: The African American History Research Center at the Gregory School | Gallery

About Priscilla T Graham, The Visual Historical Lyricist

Priscilla T Graham is an American documentary photographer, author, and filmmaker who specializes in storytelling through the lens of the camera, capturing timeless moments of life. Her work is not just about capturing images, but about preserving the rich history and culture of the African American experience in Houston. It is a testament to her love for the community and her commitment to its history.