Houma's black history museum has ties to St. Mary

The Finding Our Roots African American Museum in Houma, set to open in February, will include not only the history of people of African descent in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes but also St. Mary.

Many families were scattered across several parishes during the time of slavery, so the decision to include St. Mary history in the museum was an obvious choice.

“After doing research, you find out that your family comes from these different areas,” said Finding Our Roots museum president and co-founder Margie Scoby .

Scoby is also an author, historian and genealogist.

“For instance, my family came from St. Mary Parish because they were sold to the Foster family,” Scoby said. “And then from the Foster family, they ended up in Terrebonne Parish.”

Scoby traces her history all the way back to royalty in Africa, known as Prince Abdul Rahman. He is also known as the Prince of Africa who was captured among other Africans. A documentary about him was filmed by Bill Duke.

Scoby is also a descendant of a prince from Liberia.

“Just by chance, my grandma was telling the stories and I was able to connect with my family …,” Scoby said. “So, that’s my interest in St. Mary Parish all because I know some of my family ended up there.”

Some of the St. Mary history on display includes slave names and narratives, leaders from the community, those who championed civil rights, NAACP leaders and state representatives. In addition, people involved in the Thibodaux Massacre are documented.

“We have several people from the St. Mary Parish,” Scoby said. “We definitely have slaves. We have names of the slaves. We don’t have the pictures yet. …

“Also those people that actually went to St. Mary Parish and were forced back to Terrebonne Parish in regards to the Thibodaux Massacre.”

The dedication ceremony schedule of events begins with a gathering at 9 a.m. Feb. 4. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., with guided tours at 10:30 a.m. The event will include a book fair, traditional foods and African dancing and will end by 5 p.m..

Admission to the museum is $7. After the dedication, the museum will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

This museum is the first exhibition and education venue dedicated to African Americans history and culture in Terrebonne Parish. Alvin Tillman, former Terrebonne councilman, is also co-founder of the museum.

It is located at 918 Roussell Street in Houma. The museum is housed in the historic landmark known as The Academy, by agreement with the Louisiana Southern Baptist Association, Fifth District, which built the site in 1896.

In general, the galleries are centered on subjects such as reconstruction era elected officials, slavery, segregation, civil rights movement and leadership, family and community, educators and clergy, sugar cane workers, doctors and businessmen, inventors, musicians and writers.