African American Heritage Project (AAHP)

02/10/2026

In Nacogdoches, the name Zion Hill First Baptist Church is connected to a historic and unique building that has welcomed visitors and offered tours as a museum since 2023.

02/10/2026

Shankleville is known for its love of purple hull peas. So, here is a recipe that was shared when our Texas Purple Hull Pea Festival was covered in a Texas Highways article:

This traditional recipe for purple hull peas comes from Lareatha Clay, the founder of the Texas Purple Hull Pea Festival. It is reprinted from former Texas Highways senior editor Nola McKey’s 2016 cookbook, From Teacakes to Tamales: Third-Generation Texas Recipes, published by Texas A&M University Press.

Makes 12-16 servings.

Ingredients:
1 smoked ham hock
2 quarts (fresh or frozen) shelled purple hull peas (if using fresh peas, you’ll need about 4 pounds in the shell)
Pinch of sugar
Salt
Pepper
Paprika

Directions:
Keep a teakettle of near-boiling water on the stovetop. Place the smoked ham hock in a large pot and add enough water to bring water level to about a ½ inch above ham hock. Cook, covered, on medium-high heat for 1 to 2 hours, or until tender.

Add water as needed from the teakettle to bring water level to a ½ inch above ham hock, and bring to boil. Reduce heat, add peas, and cover. Let peas simmer until they are just tender (about 1 hour). Check every 15 to 20 minutes to make sure water level is approximately a ½ inch above the peas. If more water is needed, add it from the teakettle.

Once the peas are tender, add sugar, and then season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste (start with a ½ teaspoon each). Continue to let the peas simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the water level is even with the peas. Some people discard the ham hock before serving; others enjoy eating the meaty bits along with the peas.

02/10/2026

Hosted by the East Texas Genealogical Society. 🖤
This Black History Month, hear from Cynthia L. Matlock as she shares research on early Black settlers in East Texas and the schools their communities fought to create — stories that echo across freedom communities.

📍 Tyler Public Library – Taylor Auditorium
📅 Feb 14 | ⏰ 2 PM

💻 Virtual option:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81058899946

Meeting ID: 810 5889 9946
Passcode: Family

02/10/2026

This is a free event but you must reserve tickets through the public library Eventbrite site:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-raise-your-head-up-a-documentary-by-richard-orton-tickets-1978844996654?aff=ebdssbcitybrowse

02/10/2026

09/26/2025

11/03/2024

11/03/2024

PLEASE VOTE!
Election Day schedule and locations
Election Day voting will take place on Tuesday, November 5, from 7:00am to 7:00pm at 19
precinct polling places around the county. These are listed at www.nacvotes.com. You
must go to the precinct polling place where you are registered, not another one and not the
Courthouse Annex. Limited ballots for
those registered in other counties are NOT available on Election Day.

Nacogdoches County, Texas

10/21/2024

The Center for the Healing of Racism (Houston) is hosting an online (via zoom) film screening of the Rosenwald film this Saturday, May 4th, 2-4:30 pm (in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month). I'll help with facilitating a discussion.

The film tells the story about how a white, Jewish philanthropist, Julius Rosenwald, the head of Sears Roebuck, partnered with African American, Christian educator/activist, Booker T. Washington, to build 5,400 Southern schools in African American communities during the Jim Crow era. The Rosenwald Fund supported artists including Marian Anderson, Maya Angelou, Woody Guthrie, Langston Hughes, Gordon Parks, and Jacob Lawrence.

Virtual film screening about Julius Rosenwald and Jewish-African American cooperation during the Jim Crow South. A facilitated dialogue will follow.

10/05/2024

Today's the day for the best BBQ you've ever had and your chance at taking home local art, all to help restore and preserve local African American history!