Museum Unveils Historic Black Military History Expo

At the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture in Baltimore

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."