Stark County
Black
History
Museum
Capital Campaign
Black History is Everybody's History: Campaign to create a new destination for our community.
A New Cultural Destination
A museum within a museum; similar to the Paul Brown Museum
To share space with the McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
2,686 square feet of exhibition space
Made possible by museum expansion
To Benefit Our Community
Preserve and Share
Our CULTURE
Serve the
Common GOOD
Make Local
Economic IMPACT
Preserve and Share Our Culture
Showcase the multi-faceted aspects of African American heritage
Display compelling pieces of history
Record the many contributions to Stark County by Black Americans
Honor African American history and its influence on American culture
Serve the Common Good
“The past is all that makes the present coherent.” — James Baldwin
Put injustices and struggles within historical context
As a society, we may only move forward when we know the full story
Illuminate the universal human quest for equality and hope
Inspire young people to make their own mark on history
Make Local Economic Impact
Every job created at a museum creates 2 additional jobs*
Every dollar of revenue created at a museum generates $2.20 in other areas of a community’s economy*
- $50 billion in the U.S.*
- Cultural and heritage tourists spend 60% more**
Growth in African American museums
- 180 in the U.S.
- 50% since 1990
- Only 3 in Ohio
Popularity of Black history and cultural venues
- National Museum of African American History and Culture welcomed over 600,000 visitors in its first 3 months
- 10 million visitors in only 7 years
*Museums as Economic Engines, American Alliance of Museums, 2017; **Mandala Research
So Much History to Share
Below are a few highlights that will be part of our shared story.
Significant artifacts
- Such as a slave diary, historic documents
- Photographs, recordings, videos
- Articles, books, etc.
Notable landmarks
- The oldest Black churches, beginning in 1884
- Street names after prominent leaders
- Namesake buildings, parks, schools, housing developments, and a bridge
Celebrated people
- Early settlers
- The first Black professional leaders
- Prominent citizens and national trailblazers in civil rights, government, business, law, medicine, military, education, arts, public service, and more
- Famous and should-be-famous sports figures
Contribute Artifacts/Oral History
You can make it happen! Tell more stories.
“Big” Jim Barker
Wright Barton Walker
Judith Barnes Lancaster, Esq.
Joe Smith
Rev. James Lawson
Judge Ira Turpin
“Big” Jim Barker
Wright Barton Walker
Judith Barnes Lancaster, Esq.
Joe Smith
Rev. James Lawson
Judge Ira Turpin
Budget and Funding Sources
Budget:
- Expansion Construction $2.75 million
- Exhibition Design/Build $1 million
- Sustainability for Curator $750,000
- PHASE 1 Project Total $4.5 million
Fundraising Sources:
Our funding sources come from federal, state, and local funding. We are exhausting every connection and resource we have to meet our campaign goal. The following funding sources have been identified:
- Capital Campaigns $1,800,000 – 40%
- State Capital Budget $1,000,000 – 22%
- Foundations Outside Stark County $775,000 – 17%
- Federal Funding $300,000 – 11%
- Local Government $100,000 – 2.525%
- Corporate Donations $100,000 – 2.525%
- Individual Donations $90,000 – 2%
- Museum Contribution $75,000 – 1.6%
- Fundraising Programs/Events $50,000 – 1.1%
- Board Contributions $10,000 – 0.25%
Why Do We Need a Stark County Black History Museum?
The significant contributions of Black people in Stark County are largely missing from the mainstream narrative.
We are only able to move forward when we know the full story of all the people who have created the community we call home.
The McKinley Presidential Library and Museum and Stark County Historical Society are the perfect partners and venue for telling this story.
By bringing to light these pieces of history that have too long been in the shadows, we can inspire young people to make their own mark on history.
You don’t have to become president or look like the people in the oil paintings to do legendary things worthy of veneration and admiration!
Donate Today
Help us preserve Stark County, Ohio Black history.
Contribute
Contribute artifacts or oral history. We look forward to sharing your stories. Be heard.
Donate
Even the smallest donation helps us reach our goal. Select donation type: Stark County Black History Museum Donation.
Credits: Cover Art – Margene May, Canton Museum of Art, Canton, Ohio. Innis Maggiore for donating their time and expertise for this capital campaign presentation. View all credits.
Help us preserve and share our culture. The Stark County Black History Museum is very interested in hearing from you. Your story(s) can become a part of history, documented and recorded with us at the museum. Once we receive and review your information, a museum staff member will follow up with you.