Mosaic Templars Cultural Center: A Celebration of Black History

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Explore Arkansas's African American heritage at this Little Rock museum, celebrating history, culture, and community from 1870 to the present.

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Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, preserves and celebrates African American history and culture in the state, with exhibits on entrepreneurship, fraternal organizations, and the struggle for civil rights.

A brief summary to Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

501 W 9th St, Little Rock, Downtown, Arkansas, 72201, US
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Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
Thursday 9 am-5 pm
Friday 9 am-5 pm
Saturday 9 am-5 pm

Local tips

Admission is free, allowing everyone to explore and learn about Arkansas's African American history.
Check the MTCC's website for information on special events, exhibits, and programs that may occur throughout the year.
Groups of 10 or more can schedule a guided tour by contacting the museum's Education Department in advance.
Bus parking is available on Arch Street, one block west of Broadway.

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Getting There

Walking

From the River Market District, head west on President Clinton Avenue. Turn left onto Main Street and continue south. Turn right onto 9th Street, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will be on your left. The walk is approximately 10-15 minutes. No costs are associated with this final approach.
Public Transport

Rock Region METRO provides bus service to the area. Check the Rock Region METRO website or app for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. Several routes stop near the intersection of 9th and Broadway, a short walk from the museum. A single ride fare is $1.25.
Driving

From I-30, take the 6th Street exit and head west. Turn left onto Broadway Street and continue to 9th Street. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will be on your right. Parking is available on the street and in nearby lots. Metered street parking costs vary, and parking in nearby lots typically ranges from $0.50 to $1.50 per hour.

Discover more about Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) stands as a beacon of African American history and culture in Arkansas. Located in downtown Little Rock on the historic West 9th Street, the museum's mission is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the achievements and experiences of Black Arkansans from 1870 to the present. The center derives its name from the Mosaic Templars of America (MTA), a Black fraternal organization founded in Little Rock in 1883 by former slaves John E. Bush and Chester W. Keatts. The MTA provided illness, death, and burial insurance to Black people during a time when such services were largely unavailable to them. The organization grew to become one of the largest Black fraternal societies in the United States before facing hardship during the Great Depression. The MTCC's exhibits showcase various aspects of African American life in Arkansas, including entrepreneurship, the impact of fraternal organizations, and the journey toward integration. The museum also houses the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. Beyond exhibits, the MTCC offers educational resources, including lesson plans and outreach programs for students and teachers. The building itself is a modern reconstruction of the original 1913 Mosaic Templars of America National Grand Temple, which was destroyed by fire in 2005.