Preservation

Time, poverty, and redevelopment pressure in its many forms, legal and otherwise, have ravaged historic Freedmen’s Town.

Of the several hundred historic homesteads and churches that once formed a vibrant community, only a few dozen remain.  The R. B. H. Yates Museum is the steward of six of these historic homes, including some of the most significant and recognizable ones that were built by former community leaders; it also holds five empty lots, for a total of 11 archaeologically significant sites.  With so much of Freedmen’s Town’s legacy having fallen victim to the bulldozer, preserving those tangible reminders that do remain has become more important than ever.

Since the Museum’s founding in 1996, our volunteers have devoted thousands of hours to preserving and restoring the buildings.  Professionals in architecture, design, structural engineering, construction and construction management have generously donated pro-bono services, and aspiring architecture students from Prairie View A&M and other institutions have assisted as well.  One of our historic buildings, the Rutherford B. H. Yates house, has been fully restored, while the others are in various states of preservation and repair.  More recently, we have employed a mix of hired construction professionals and our own crew of dedicated volunteer carpenters to make significant and visible progress in preserving and restoring the Nixon house. 

Our preservation programs are central to our mission.  Unfortunately, this work is expensive, and financial considerations are and have always been the key constraint on our progress.  Your contributions, whether in-kind or financial, are much appreciated and essential to helping us achieve our goals!