Museum Unveils Historic Black Military History Expo

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture in Baltimore last Monday showed its rare recently-acquired 27-piece collection which would serve as the center-piece of the upcoming historic exhibition entitled "For Race and Country: African Americans and the Military Experience, from Bunker Hill to Saigon".

The acquisition, part of the Dr. L. Albert and Mrs. Katherine Scipio II Collection of Minority Military Artifacts, consists of rare military items related to African American service from the late 19th through mid twentieth century. The "Discovery Luncheon", held last Monday August 6 at the Museum premises in Baltimore, was an exclusive afternoon of fine food and living history at which the items were previewed.

The Luncheon showcased selected pieces from the Scipio II collection including apparels, uniforms and regalia of various fighting units, ornaments, tools and equipment, maps, documentary items, photographs and graphic materials, rare and out-of-print books on military history, oral history captured on analog tapes and research material.

In attendance were war and army veterans, history buffs, art aficionados, collectors, patrons and family including Scipio's daughter Karyn Salman who flew in from California for the event.

In an interview, the Museum's Executive Director Dr. David Taft Terry said the Scipio Collection was going to be the basis of the "For Race and Country" exhibition which is slated to run for six to eight months in Spring 2008. He said the Luncheon was to offer a more intimate opportunity for patrons, friends and supporters to appreciate a close-up view of the rare items.

"Warrior soldiers have always been accorded admiration and respect with special rights and privileges for the services they render to civil society. The Scipio Collection chronographs the participation of Black people in the United States army. The items reflect some of the most impactful time markers in our nation's history and it has a unique task of showcasing the role of the military in pushing the civil rights agenda, among other things."

On his part, the benefactor Dr. L. Albert Scipio II told me "it took about two-and-a-half years to recognize that I should let this material go to the general public so they will know that people of color did serve in the US army." Talking to an attentive audience with the flag of the 24th Regiment Infantry [Scipio was designated mascot for this regiment when he was three] in all its colors and insignia on his right, the 84-year old Howard University Professor Emeritus who started collecting 79 years ago at five, said it was with "tremendous pride and gratification that I turn over this collection to the Reginald Lewis Museum. The significance is not merely a documentation of the history of African American soldiers but it is geared to a period which we recognize as the segregation of the army," he started.

"I feel so proud that we have been able to hang on to these items that trace the Black American military and its path to becoming part of the regular army."

He lamented the fact that the popular media do not represent the role and part of the Black military in mainstream American history: "Anytime you look at television and you see documentaries of activities during the wars, I look for somebody who looks like me, but it seems we were all out fishing on that day!"

"The Smithsonian also has an exhibition called the 'Price of Freedom' and it doesn't tell the story from an African American perspective and they are not really focusing on what these heroes endured to get freedom," agreed Kathryn Coney, the museum's Registrar.
"That is why it is such a thrill for people to come and see them here. Every single piece has a story, most of them with a name to go with it. And it is kept in such a wonderful condition."

Coney told me that when the museum first acquired the collection, they did not know what they were getting into. After about four months of negotiations with several other bidders, Dr. Scipio chose Reginald Lewis over the US Army because he believed the collection will serve a better purpose in Baltimore. "It is enormous and it is outstanding. It is priceless," gushed Coney.

In his welcome address, the museum's Board vice chairman Aris T. Allen Jr. said the vision of our museum is to share the drama of unknown Marylanders over the years. "We look forward to telling the story through exhibitions such as this. This collection will further advance our mission and vision."

Dr. Freddie L. Harper, Senior Pastor of Truth and Love Lighthouse International Church in Owings Mills quoted rather liberally from the Bible but finally settled on a rather apt allusion: "'for my people perish for the lack of knowledge': now we can be very knowledgeable about our history and our contribution to our country." He continued, addressing the veterans who were present, "we are sitting in history, in freedom, because of what you did, and we should all be ever so grateful and ready to pass the news on."

Clara Floyd, President of the Maryland State Teachers Association which represents over 65,000 members said the event was exciting. "It is a pleasure to be included in something so important. I can't wait for the boys and girls in the state public schools to see these so they will know the role of the African American in the country and appreciate the major contribution we have all given to make our country such a great place to live and grow up."

Asked what item was most important to him, Dr. Scipio, who dedicated the donation to his parents, said his collection spans from the 1770s but he was particularly fond of items number 15 and 20 which are the 369th Infantry Enlisted Tunic (Old 15th New York) and a 1918 Distinguished Service Medal. Registrar Coney was however partial to No. 6, a tan Indian Scout hat which she described as having been "kept in an immaculate condition. It is very rare that you see a hat from the 1800s like that."

"Therefore, when the exhibition opens, let us throng the museum and let the information be part of our knowledge and reality," added Pastor Harper.