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About AAHH
Change Is In the House
Antique San Jose building becomes home to new African American heritage center.
On Sunday, Nov. 23, less than three weeks after Barack Obama’s electoral victory, San Jose brought some much-needed color to a white house of its own: the African American Heritage House (AAHH), the latest addition to History Park at History San Jose. The 140-plus-year-old Italianate farmhouse Zanker House is the home of this historic nonprofit establishment, which will be the site of community meetings, art exhibits, workshops, musical and cultural events, festivals, and theatrical presentations. As AAHH president and CEO Sandra Dailey notes, “We’ve never had any type of dwelling that we can actually showcase and educate our youth as well as different organizations on the heritage of African Americans here in Silicon Valley.” The AAHH was the dream of Dailey’s aunt, Lula Briggs Galloway, former CEO of the National Association of Juneteenth Lineage, Inc. and founder of the Juneteenth Creative Cultural Center and Museum in Saginaw, Mich., which commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves. The AAHH serves as a memorial of sorts to Briggs Galloway, a San Jose native who passed away in mid-November. “She’s not here physically, but her timing is good to be with us spiritually,” Dailey comments. The recent dedication of the building gave AAHH staff members an opportunity to discuss their plans for education, as well as to put out the call for assistance in developing the beautiful antique house. “There’s lots of work to do,” Dailey states. “We’ve got to do electrical work, we’ve got to do plumbing, and we’re looking for donations and contributions to help make this a successful place for everybody to come and learn about African American history throughout Santa Clara County.” In light of November’s election, this is an entirely appropriate point in history for the AAHH to be opening its doors. According to Dailey, the fact that the opening of the building coincided with Obama’s election is simply a happy accident. “The timing is wonderful!” she enthuses. “We’re very excited about being able to really make it all tie in together.” African American Heritage House (408) 398-8044 History Park/History San Jose, 1650 Senter Rd. San Jose (408) 287-2290 www.historysanjose.org |
