New African American History and Culture museum opening in Hobson City this week

It’s not everyday that a new museum opens, but that’s just what’s happening in Hobson City this week. The new Hobson City Museum for the Study of African American History and Culture is ready to tell the stories of the historic town’s past. Here’s what you need to know.

Hobson City’s collection of artifacts are intriguing

Hobson City was founded in 1899 near Anniston in Calhoun County. At its founding, it was one of two municipalities in the whole nation governed by African Americans completely (Encyclopedia of Alabama). In the 2020 census, the town had just 777 residents.

According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s “Archival Seedlings” site, Hobson City Mayor Alberta McCroy and other community leaders recognized the importance of preserving and sharing the history of Hobson City with a museum.

Now, the Hobson City Museum for the Study of African American History and Culture is coming to life.

The museum includes a Sunday hat and a kitchen cabinet, as reported by Archival Seedlings, that give visual representation of the lives of two women of Hobson City.

Though small, the town bears witness to a lot of history, which they celebrate each year at their Founders’ Day Celebration.

The new museum opens during the Founders’ Day Celebration

The new Hobson City Museum for the Study of African American History and Culture is holding its grand opening during the 124th Founders’ Day Festival, taking place August 13-19, 2023.

If you want to experience the history of Hobson City firsthand, here are the details on the new museum’s grand opening:

• Location: 806 Martin Luther King Dr, Anniston, AL 36201
• Date: Friday, August 18, 11AM

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