Austin African American
Cultural Heritage District
The Texas Music Museum was incorporated in 1984 and received its 501(c)3 tax-exemptstatus in 1985. In 1986 TMM won state recognition as an official State Sesquicentennial project, with the mission of highlighting the contributions of Texas musicians to the musicalheritage of the nation and the world. To accomplish that mission TMM volunteers interviewand photograph Texas musicians and collect and preserve artifacts, early photographs,documents, and reference materials having to do with the diverse traditions of Texas Music.TMM then uses these materials to present exhibits and educational programs that oftenincorporate musical performances, which are also documented in video and photography.The exhibits and programs encourage both youth and adults to participate actively in theenjoyment, appreciation and ongoing preservation of the state’s musical heritage. In 1987the TMM board of directors developed an agenda for research, exhibitions, and programsthat included the following music areas: Texas Historic and Patriotic, Country, Gospel,Classical, Cowboy, Big Band, Western Swing, Blues, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jazz, Ragtime andBarrelhouse, Soul, and Popular, as well as Texas ethnic music, including Tejano, Czech,African American, German, and Native American. Since then extensive materials have beencollected in all of the target areas, and at least one initial exhibit has focused on each area.Each of these exhibits and associated archival collections are continually expanded andupgraded. TMM has the official endorsements of the boards of the Texas Music Association,the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Music Teachers Association. TMM hasalso held memberships for many years in the Texas Association of Museums and the AustinMuseum Partnership (with which TMM has participated in several cooperative projects), aswell as the National Music Museum Association. Throughout its history, TMM has presentedfree exhibits, music programs and symposia at many local museums (the Carver Museumand Cultural Center, the Elisabet Ney Museum, the Mexican American Cultural Center andthe Daugherty Art Center), and at other public venues, including the state Capitol, theAustin Bergstrom International Airport, and at the city’s schools and libraries. TMM has alsoprovided resources for exhibits at the Austin Children’s Museum and the Austin Museum ofArt at Laguna Gloria. In 2005 the Austin Chronicle called TMM the Best Roving Museum andthe Texas House of Representatives recognized TMM for its work in preserving the state’smusical heritage. Since 2003 TMM has presented exhibits and music programs in twogallery areas of the Marvin C. Griffin Building at 1009 E. Eleventh Street. This arrangementhas allowed TMM to develop a more visible presence in Austin. A large sign identifies theTexas Music Museum and colorful banners advertise the current exhibits. TMM has alsotaken the lead in organizing a cooperative marketing strategy for the museums and musicsites of East Austin, “Come Over to the East Side.” TMM, the French Legation, the CarverMuseum, the State Cemetery and Museum, and the historic Victory Grill all providebrochures with information on the other sites, encouraging tourists and residents to enjoythe cultural and historical attractions on Austin’s East Side. Recently, Texas Music Museumhas played an important role in honoring the first 10 inductees to the Austin MusicMemorial at the Long Center. Texas Music Museum provided photos and biographical material for all ten inductees and provided rare LPs, cassettes, CDs and VCRs for selectionof samples of music the inductees played at the induction ceremony. Finally, Texas MusicMuseum provided displays for each of the 10 inductees for the induction event with photos,biographies, copies of recordings and other memorabilia. Texas Music Museum continues towork to broaden its collection of oral histories, photos and other artifacts and share itsresources with numerous groups in Austin and throughout Texas. The collection andprograms of the Texas Music Museum encourage active participation by youth and adults inthe continuing legacy of creating and preserving Texas music.
