Cianna Hope Reeves
Managing Editor
It is a brown-bricked building often times overlooked as students trod to their destinations. It serves as the oldest site on the campus of Jackson State University. Does that ring a bell?
Constructed in 1903, as JSU’s first structure on campus after relocating from Natchez, Miss., Ayer Hall was created as the center for student engagement, a residence hall for women, and lecture classrooms.
Named after JSU’s first president, Charles Ayer, Ayer Hall is a facility that has undergone renovation three times. In 1930, a fire destroyed the fourth floor and it remained a three-story building until 2004 when it was fully restored. This alteration would soon become an exhibit and archive site that highlights African-American culture and history.
Today, Ayer Hall functions as a prestigious site housing the Margaret Walker Center, named after Margaret Walker Alexander, a trailblazing JSU professor, writer and poet that received notable recognition for her highly acclaimed novel “Jubilee” (1966) and poem “For My People” (1937).
Walker’s passion for writing was inspired by her parents whom she inherited a strong sense of family and her desire to learn, write and educate. This foundation caused her to pursue a literary arts degree at JSU and eventually, she decided to jumpstart a new generation—her family.
Founded as the Institute for Study of the History, Life, and Culture of Black People in 1968 by Walker, the Center was established to honor her artistic and academic legacy through expanding and promoting her works, interpreting African-American history and culture, coordinating public programs on campus and within the community, and preserving historic structures.
Along with the array of exhibits regarding the prolific life of Walker, the Center also honors former JSU interim president Rod Paige, who was appointed by President George W. Bush as the 7thUnited States Secretary of Education.
Located on the third floor, the former politician’s gallery is filled with a brief timeline of his life as a college student and his career.
Prestigious accolades rest in a clear concealed glass chest, framed photographs of children he taught nailed on the wall, a distinguished image of Bush signing the No Child Left Behind Act into effect, and a chair that reads “U.S. Secretary of Education”.
This chair was given as a prize possession to the university years after collaborating with Bush and implementing the notable act that shifted the culture of education.
The No Child Left Behind Act focused on education reform and transformed how teachers and students receive adequate schooling across all states. Four pillars were implemented within the bill: accountability, flexibility, research-based education and parent options.
The law was a force initiated by Paige and continues to be abided today.
The floor also holds an African Art Collections collected by travelers who donated wooden art for the Study of the African-American Experience at JSU and eventually donated more pieces that reflected the culture from nations such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, South Africa and more.
On the fourth floor awaits the first residential hallway that housed young women attending the university.
Resembling an outdated living space, this attraction reflected the times of the early 1940s.
Bunk beds stationed along the wall in knitted comforter sets, a traditional style desk and lamp planted adjacent from the beds and an air conditioning unit nailed below the window were all materials inside the room to demonstrate the conventional living to current students.
A gift shop, art pieces by JSU alum and short summaries of Walker’s life are located on the second level, while the old student center is now turned into an office space.
While this museum may sound fascinating with its historical elements and paintings, Archivist Angela Stewart said it is missing its greatest addition—the students.
Stewart blames the disinterest of history on social media and the lack of attention parents place on the subject matter.
“A lot of people are learning from distorted and misleading information from media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. There is a lot of competition out there grasping the notice of students—and sadly not just college students,” said Stewart.
She continued, “I have realized that if students aren’t exposed to it, then they don’t even know that they are missing it. Oftentimes, I believe parents preempt the idea that history is boring by not exposing their kids and we have to do a better job at that.”
In order to shift the misconception that learning history is not fun, the expert archivist said it starts with one’s mentality.
“[People] make education sound like it’s no fun because it’s a duty or an obligation. No, it is supposed to be fun. Learning should be exciting,” chuckled Stewart.
The Margaret Walker Center is open every week day @8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make sure to visit to learn more about black history.
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