The Carver Museum and Cultural Center and the Carver Branch Library grew out of one of the first library buildings in Austin, which later became the "colored branch" of the Austin Public Library system. The small frame structure with wood siding was constructed in 1926. The building was then moved to the current location in 1933, where it was renovated with brick veneer and reopened shortly thereafter. In 1947, it was named in honor of Dr. George Washington Carver, the famous African American agricultural scientist, who dedicated his life to improving agronomy throughout the nation and is known as one of the greatest inventors in American history. After the completion of the larger branch library to the south, the historic facility was rededicated in 1979 as the first known African American neighborhood museum in Texas. In 2005, a new museum and cultural facility was added to the campus, housing four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theater and archival space. The galleries feature a core exhibit on Juneteenth, a permanent exhibit on African American families in Austin, an artists' gallery and a children's exhibit on black scientists and inventors. Returning to the library roots of this historic building, the facility is developing extensive research opportunities through the genealogy center.

Watch the following video to learn more about post-emanication professional life of African Americans in Texas. This video was produced for inclusion in the African Americans in Texas mobile tour found in our Texas Time Travel Tours mobile app. For more information about the mobile tour and African American cultural heritage in Texas, visit the African American Heritage theme page at the following link: http://texastimetravel.com/travel-themes/main-african-american-heritage