Visit the African American Library at the Gregory School

The museum provides a visual history of the first African Americans who settled in Freedman's Town, located just outside of downtown Houston in what's known as Fourth Ward. The first 1000 freed slaves settled here after the Civil War, and created a parallel existence to their Anglo counterparts, with their own businesses, organizations and churches. They even paved their own streets with bricks (which can still be seen on certain streets around the area).

In the late 1800's, the Gregory Institute (later the Gregory School) became the first public school for African American children. The Gregory School that stands today was built in 1926, and now holds the history of the progress of African Americans in Houston.

What should I do there? Spend some time reading about the places and faces of Houston's African and American history. Also, be sure to see the replica of an original classroom. It was fascinating to think of the past conversations held in this room! After you complete your visit, it's also worth it to take a drive around the neighborhood to see a few of the historic homes that remain, as well as some of the churches that were established during the period. If you look closely, you may be able to see remnants of the original brick paved streets

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