Our Collection
In 1872, William Berry bought a farm in Ash Grove, and the Berrys have been a constant presence in the town since that time.
The family has preserved priceless artifacts from slavery times, including the lock from Wallace White's shackles, but also photographs, paintings, clothing and other unusual items that testify to the rich and productive he, his ancestors, and many others lived in the Ozarks.
Not only does the OAAHM preserve this unusual collection, but each piece has a story. Fr. Moses, descended from the Whites and the Berrys, has a wealth of information about each piece, handed down through a rich oral tradition. The OAAHM also has a small collection of antique African textiles and implements
Below you will find a small selection of the pieces in our collection:
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Artifacts
Our museum pieces include a number of items that reflect the lives, the joys and the struggles of Afro-Americans in the Ozarks. -
Portraits
Our museum contains a collection of portraits of slaves and former slaves in a variety of mediums including charcoal and tin-type. -
Quilts
We have a number of quilts that have been passed down in Fr. Moses family, some dating as far back as 1850. Also included in the collection are several rare "Telling Quilts," the same sort used by slaves to navigate The Underground Railroad.