The Harrison Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) formally announced its move to Center in the Square at a final event held on Tuesday evening. The Board of Directors invited all of the Museum’s supporters and friends to join them in the final event to be held at the historic Harrison School. A sizable crowd was on hand to enjoy refreshments and a silent auction before and after the special program.
“The move to Center in the Square has been in the works for several years” stated Sereina Paynter, Board President. “The time has finally arrived for us to say goodbye to the notable facility that was the birth of our Museum. Harrison has experienced twenty-four noteworthy years at our Harrison Avenue landmark. This moment is a sad and joyous occasion for all. Some smiles will be viewed through the tears as we leave one facility to join another,” said Paynter.
The relocation represents the first stage of HMAACs long anticipated move to Center in the Square. The move will enable the Museum to be more actively involved in the evolution of the Center in the Square renovations.
A second historic moment was also celebrated. In its last public event, the museum honored Mr. William G. Dabney, a local hometown hero. Mr. Dabney was recently recognized by President Obama and French President Sarcozy in Paris for his bravery as a very young soldier participating in the D-Day Invasion. Mr. Dabney received the Key to the City from Vice Mayor Sherman Lee and was recognized by other leaders from his hometown in celebrating his past heroism and service to his county as well as to his community.
The soft spoken Dabney accepted the award and seemed genuinely humbled by its presentation. He spoke of his memories of storming and holding the beaches at Normandy while wrestling a barrage balloon ashore as part of a team specially trained to handle the large derrigibles that actually had bombs tethered to them to bring down strafing German aircraft. William Dabney’s son Vinnie introduced his father and played portions of a recent History Channel documentary that featured his father recounting what it was like to serve in WWII as an African American soldier.
“I have both good and difficult memories of that time,” said Dabney in concluding his remarks, “and while I can’t recall everything now, I do remember coming home and I believe I was very happy about that.”
By Stuart Revercomb [email protected]