About Us
Honoring the Legacy of Freedom Colonies
The Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Museum is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the extraordinary contributions of African Americans and people of color to the history of the United States.
Our Purpose
Why We Exist
This organization is established exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Our mission is to increase awareness and understanding of the diverse contributions that people of color — particularly African Americans — have made to the history of the United States.
We share and teach African American history, promote cultural awareness, and foster greater understanding and appreciation of African American and other minority communities. To advance this mission, we collect, preserve, and present historical artifacts and provide a central place — both physical and virtual — for people and communities to learn, connect, and engage across cultures.
Our Vision
What We Stand For
BCAACCM is dedicated to highlighting the diverse contributions of people of color to the history of the United States. Through immersive museum archives, heritage celebrations, educational workshops, and guest speakers, we seek to foster cultural awareness, encourage mutual understanding, and promote greater appreciation of our shared history.
Our Story
From a community vision to a living institution — the milestones that shaped who we are.
The Vision Takes Root
Community leaders and descendants of Freedom Colony families in Bastrop County come together to discuss the need for a dedicated institution to preserve and share their history.
Organization Founded
The Bastrop County African American Cultural Center & Museum is formally established as a nonprofit organization with a founding board committed to education, preservation, and community.
First Community Programs
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the museum launches its first public exhibit in the Kerr Community Center of Bastrop Texas. The Board members, BCAACC members and community volunteers worked together to collect the inaugural oral history recordings, and community outreach.
Annual Unsung Heroes Award Ceremony
The museum hosts its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration, drawing hundreds of community members and descendants from across Bastrop County and beyond.
Heritage Tour Program Begins
The museum launches guided heritage tours of Freedom Colony sites across Bastrop County, connecting visitors to the land and stories of formerly enslaved families.
Permanent Home Established
The museum secures a permanent physical location in Bastrop, Texas, creating a dedicated space for artifacts, archives, exhibits, and community gatherings.
Growing the Archive
The oral history archive expands significantly, with dozens of recorded testimonies from descendants, and the museum's educational programming reaches schools across the region.
The People Behind the Mission
Our founders and board members are descendants, historians, educators, and community leaders united by a shared commitment to this legacy.
Founder & Executive Director
Board Member
A lifelong resident of Bastrop County and descendant of a Freedom Colony family, our Executive Director has dedicated decades to documenting and preserving the history of African American communities in Central Texas.
Board Chair
Board Member
An educator and community organizer with deep roots in Bastrop County, our Board Chair brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and a passion for cultural preservation.
Director of Education
Board Member
With a background in curriculum development and African American studies, our Director of Education leads the museum's youth programs, workshops, and school partnerships.
Director of Archives
Board Member
A historian and archivist specializing in Texas African American history, our Director of Archives oversees the collection, preservation, and presentation of the museum's growing artifact and document collection.
Community Outreach Director
Board Member
Our Community Outreach Director builds relationships with Freedom Colony descendant families, partner organizations, and the broader Bastrop community to ensure the museum remains a living, connected institution.
Board Treasurer
Board Member
A financial professional and longtime supporter of cultural preservation efforts in Central Texas, our Board Treasurer ensures the museum's resources are stewarded with care and accountability.
Partners & Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the organizations, institutions, and community members who support our mission.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to the descendants of Bastrop County's Freedom Colony families, whose stories, memories, and generosity make this work possible.
In the News
Recognition and coverage of our work preserving Freedom Colony history.
Join Us in Preserving This Legacy
Whether you are a descendant, a historian, an educator, or simply someone who believes history matters — there is a place for you here. Become a member, volunteer, or make a donation to support our work.