E.M.M.A. Museum in Washington to host rededication August 16

WASHINGTON – The Ethnic Minority Museum Association (E.M.M.A.) will be hosting a rededication of the E.M.M.A. Black History Museum on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9 AM to 11 AM at the museum, which is located at 106 Franklin Street in Washington, Arkansas. The rededication will be held in honor of the 100th birthday of the museum’s founder, Mrs. Mildred Johnson Smith. In addition, the museum will be dedicating two historic markers during the ceremony. All are invited to attend the ceremony.

One marker will celebrate the life of Archer Shepperson (1850-1905), a man born into slavery who became a farmer, a law enforcement officer, a pioneering educator and education advocate, an Arkansas state representative, and a community leader.

The other marker will commemorate the Southwest District headquarters of the Freedmen’s Bureau in Arkansas, which was located in Washington. The Freedmen’s Bureau was a program implemented in the South after the Civil War which helped both white and Black Southerners. It led to the establishment of some of the first schools for Black students in the South and enforced the contract rights of Black workers. The Southwest District of Arkansas covered all or part of 14 modern counties of Arkansas, including parts of Hot Spring and Montgomery counties, most of Clark and Howard counties, and all of Columbia, Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Sevier, and Union counties.

In addition, a plaque commemorating the rededication will be unveiled.

Speakers will include tributes to Mrs. Mildred Johnson Smith, an invocation to bless the museum, and remarks from Washington Mayor Paul Henley and from museum board member Dr. Barbara Smith.

EM.M.A. RE-DEDICATION CEREMONY
Black History Museum
106 Franklin St. Washington, AR

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Today we celebrate the 100th birthday of Mrs. Mildred Johnson Smith, Founder of EMMA Black History Museum, with the Rededication of the Museum to keep the doors open for the coming generations.

9:00 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
Dr. Barbara Smith, EMMA Board Director
9:15AM Musical Interlude

9:20AM Invocation- Prayer to Bless the Museum, Mission, & People
Dr. Dan Ford
9:30 AM Tribute Speakers – Circle of Friends
Short Speeches from Community Members & Family Members
History & Vision – EMMA Board Member
Geneva- Share Memories & Impact of Mildred Smith, Founder
AKA Sorority Inc. Reflect on the Past Envision a Bright Future
10:00 AM Remarks from City Official
Mayor Paul Henley
10:10 AM Unveiling and Dedication of Commemorative Plaque
Dolly Henley, State Representative & Paul Henley, Mayor
10:30AM Dedication of Freedman’s Bureau Historic Marker
Recognition of Jonathon Lance
Dedication of Archer Shepperson Display and Marker
Recognition of Peggy Lloyd

10:45 AM Closing Remarks
Director, Dr. Barbara Smith

10:50 AM Music to Conclude Ceremony

11:00 AM Reception with Light Refreshment