For press information, contact Rachael South, 901-785-3160

The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa will premiere its new exhibit “The African-American Cultural Heritage in Southwest Memphis” on Saturday, Sept. 11. The opening reception and program will be held from noon to 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend the reception or view the exhibit that day.

The exhibit was created by nine high school students living in the 38109 Zip code area of southwest Memphis. Over a five-week period this summer, the students participated in a variety of activities as they prepared to create and install the exhibit. By visiting five area museums, including the National Civil Rights Museum, the students learned about the care and preservation of artifacts and the mechanics of exhibit creation. They also conducted research for the exhibit at the McWherter Library and consulted with professors at the University of Memphis.

The multi-media exhibit also draws on more than 30 hours of video interviews the students conducted with area residents and community leaders. “We are excited to have an exhibit created by the youth from the community surrounding Chucalissa displayed at the C.H. Nash Museum,” said Dr. Robert Connolly, museum director.

The student participants all live in southwest Memphis and were selected from more than 35 applicants who wrote an essay on “Why Knowing About the African-American Cultural Heritage in My Neighborhood is Important.”  

The project is organized through a partnership of the C.H. Nash Museum and the Westwood-Indian Neighborhood Development. It is supported by Strengthening Communities grants that are funded by The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, the United Way of the Mid-South, and the University of Memphis Research Foundation. The program is managed and administered by the U of M’s School for Urban Affairs and Public Policy.

Operated by the University of Memphis, the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa serves as a gateway to understanding the science of archaeology and the interpretation of Native American and traditional cultures of the region. Chucalissa is located at 1987 Indian Village Drive in southwest Memphis.

For more information, contact Rachael South by phone at 901-785-3160, ext. 12, or via email at resouth@memphis.edu