Opening Reception For New Exhibit, Clearing Stones And Sowing Seeds

Opening Reception for New Exhibit, Clearing Stones and Sowing Seeds: Photographs from the Travis County Negro Extension Service

In honor of African American History Month, the Austin History Center invites you to the opening of its newest exhibit Clearing Stones and Sowing Seeds: Photographs from the Travis County Negro Extension Service on Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 PM. The exhibit presents selections from the Travis County Negro Extension Service Photography Collection (AR.2000.025) archived at the History Center.

The photographs, taken between 1940 and 1964, document the variety of services and educational programs offered by the Extension Service, including animal husbandry, crafts, domestic education, gardening and agriculture as well as home improvement. The opening reception will feature a pie social. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

About the Exhibit

Extension services in Texas officially began in 1915 when the Texas Legislature assigned administration of the Texas Agricultural Extension to Texas A&M University, and established the Cooperative Extension Program, administered by Prairie View A&M. As part of the Cooperative Extension Program, the Travis County Negro Extension Service served as the communication link between Prairie View A&M and Travis County Black residents. The agency provided assistance and programming to African American rural residents including Farm and Home Demonstrations. To acquaint young people with the latest in agricultural technology as well as build leadership and civic skills, the Extension Service created 4-H Clubs, providing services to African American rural youth.

Although the end of the age of segregation eliminated the need for dual governmental agencies, Prairie View A&M continues to oversee what was the Negro Extension Service program. The program has been modified to address the needs of customers with limited resources and is now called the Cooperative Extension Program. The photo exhibit Clearing Stones and Sowing Seeds provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of African American life in rural Travis County as documented by the Extension Service created to improve their lives.

As the local history collection of the Austin Public Library, the Austin History Center provides the public with information about the history, current events and activities of Austin and Travis County. The Center collects and preserves information about local governments, businesses, residents, institutions and neighborhoods so that generations to come will have access to their history. For more information call 512-974-7480 or visit austinhistorycenter.org.

The Austin Public Library provides knowledge, technology and inspiration to the Austin community. The Library is a hub of books and education, a meeting place of minds and an incubator of ideas. For more information visit library.austintexas.gov.