Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, Delta Travel Guide

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (MTCC) in Little Rock is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating Arkansas's African American history, culture, and community from 1870 to the present. It stands on the site of the original National Headquarters of the Mosaic Templars of America (MTA), a Black fraternal organization founded in 1883 that became one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States.The original headquarters, built in 1913, was a hub of Black culture and commerce on Little Rock's West 9th Street. The building housed offices, commercial spaces, and an auditorium that hosted community events and political discussions. Tragically, the original building was destroyed by fire in 2005, but a new state-of-the-art museum complex opened in 2008, replicating the original facade.The MTCC features permanent exhibits on the history of the MTA, the 9th Street business district, and notable Black Arkansans. The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame is also located within the center. Exhibits also cover a range of topics such as Black entrepreneurs and innovators, fraternal organizations, and the integration of schools in Arkansas. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits and offers educational outreach programs for students of all ages.Visitors can explore exhibits about the Crystal Bathhouse, an African American bathhouse in Hot Springs, the Velvatex College of Beauty Culture, and pioneers in African American history. Interactive exhibits, including a StoryFile featuring Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, provide unique and engaging experiences. The MTCC also provides lesson plans and outreach programs for students and teachers, ensuring that Arkansas's African American history is taught in schools.The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is more than just a museum; it is a place of learning, reflection, and celebration of Black history and culture in Arkansas.