Bronzeville Visitors Information Center Tour 411 East 35th Street Chicago

Bronzeville Information Center- ‘Black Metropolis Historic District’

Bronzeville Visitor Information Center - Supreme Life Building 3501 South State Street Chicago

The Bronzeville Visitor Information Center (BVIC), located in the historic Supreme/Liberty Life Building (enter through our Gift Shop, 411 E. 35th Street), is an African American Heritage Tourism attraction and cornerstone in Bronzeville's development as a premier international travel destination. The BVIC is a point of orientation and information for residents, visitors, guests, students, investors and researchers discovering Bronzeville. The 2005 restoration of the landmark located at 3501 S. Martin Luther King Dr. anchors the Gateway to the ‘Black Metropolis Historic District’.

The BVIC houses an exhibit gallery featuring a permanent installation, "Bronzeville to Harlem" by Preston Jackson, a bronze and steel interpretation of the 'Renaissance' periods of both communities during the 1920's and 1930's.  

Ebony Digest

Founder John H. Johnson of Ebony Magazine started his magazine in the offices of the Supreme Building. Ebony Magazine is the one of the oldest African American Magazines and the most successful.

The Original Regal Theatre formerly 4719 South King Drive

"The Chicago Defender reported on February 11, 1928: ...Saturday, February 4th, large crowds began gathering in front of the Regal to welcome the opening of the new million dollar motion-picture and stage show house. At noon, the hour set for the opening, the theater lines stretched south to 48th street and then east for a very long city block to Vincennes Avenue. The downpour of rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the throng that was hell-bent to be among the first to set foot in the luxurious playhouse."--An Autobiography of Black Jazz by Dempsey J. Travis

Roberts Show Lounge

"In August, 1959, Dick Gregory called Roberts Show Club the biggest Negro-owned nightclub in America. All the top Negro acts played Roberts: Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, Nipsey Russell and Dinah Washington."--An Autobiography of Black Jazz by Dempsey J. Travis

The Ritz

"Jimmy Cooper made enough money out of those games to buy the Ritz Lounge, which was located in the basement of the Ritz Hotel at 409 East Oakwood Boulevard, just twenty-five feet east of South Parkway (now King Drive.) --An Autobiography of Black Jazz by Dempsey J. Travis

The Rhumboogie

"In the spring of 1946 we (Floyd Campbell's Orchestra) at Joe Louis' Rhumboogie Club, 343 East Garfield Boulevard. Several weeks after we opened Sarah Vaughn was brought in at $300 a week. Before Sarah played the Boogie, we got our paychecks on Friday with instructions not to cash them until Monday. The place was barely making it. But Sarah Vaughan packed the place every night. They had to send out for extra chairs to accommodate the patrons. George Threadwell, Sarah's husband, wanted the club managers,Leonard Reed and Pat Brooks, Joe Louis' half brother, to raise Sarah's salary to $800 a week. At first they refused. Then Ziggy Johnson, the show's producer, and I threatened to pull the band out if they didn't agree. They did give her the raise and they doubled the length of her engagement from four to eight weeks. Dave Garroway came to the show every night after he got off the air. It was his radio show that publicized Sarah's great talents. He called her "The Divine Sarah."--An Autobiography of Black Jazz by Dempsey J. Travis

Victory Monument

"The Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art has this to say about the monument:
A white granite shaft topped with a bronze doughboy sculpture. On the monument's shaft are three bronze relief panels depicting life-sized figures. (Victory Panel:) Left full-length profile of a Classically draped African-American female figure representing motherhood. In her hand she holds a branch symbolizing Victory. (Columbia Panel:) Full-length Classically draped female figure with a helmet on her head. In her proper left hand she holds a tablet inscribed with the names of battles in which African-American soldiers fought. (African-American Soldier Panel:) A bare chested African-American soldier of the 370th Infantry, which fought in France, standing with an eagle in left profile in front of him.[3]
In 1927, the State of Illinois erected this monument in the Chicago neighborhood known as "Bronzeville," which was home of the "Fighting Eighth" Regiment of the Illinois National Guard. The names of 137 members of the Eighth Infantry, Illinois National Guard, who lost their lives during World War I are inscribed on a bronze panel. The Eighth Regiment of the Illinois National Guard was reorganized as the 370th U.S. Infantry of the 93rd Division, and this regiment saw service on WWI major battlefields, distinguishing itself as the last regiment pursuing the retreating German forces in the Aisne-Marne region of France, just before the November 11, 1918 Armistice. The doughboy on top of the shaft was added in 1936.[3]"

Supreme Life Building 3501 South King Dr Chicago

The Supreme/Liberty Life Building was the longtime headquarters of the first African American owned and operated insurance company in the northern United States. Founded in 1919 by Frank L. Gillespie (as the Liberty Life Insurance Company), the firm moved, in 1921 into the second floor. The building, originally constructed by the Roosevelt State Bank, was bought by Liberty Life in 1925 and in 1929 merged with two out-of-state firms to form the Supreme Life Insurance Company of America

Bronzeville Visitor Information Center 

411 E 35th St

Chicago, IL 60653

Enter through Gift Shop or parking lot

www.bviconline.info

To Schedule Tours

Call 773-819-2054

11 am - 5 pm


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Sunset Cafe or The Grand Terrace Cafe Chicago 315 East 35th Street Bronzeville

The Grand Terrace Sign in window of current Ace Hardware 315 East 35th Street Bronzeville

The Grand Terrace Presents Rudy Grier's Autumn Follies

Follies Starring Lorres Burrage, SUN RA & Orch. 3 Shows Nitely

Breakfast Show Every Mon, Morning

Mambo Night Wed.

"Money was what the plantation system was all about. The Grand Terrace in Chicago was the most

 grandiose plantation in the country. Its appointments were more elaborate than New York's Cotton or

Chicago's Club DeLisa. Everything and everybody in the club smelled like money except the black

entertainers. They all sweated for a pittance, including Earl Hines, the internationally renowned band

leader. The band's star trumpet and saxophone player, George Dixon, did not realize how the mob's

plantation system worked until he decided to better his lot in life and gave notice of leaving the Grand

Terrace to join Don Redman's band in Detroit. Don Redman was the brilliant former musical director

of McKinney's Cotton Pickers, Omer Simeon, Hines' alto sax man, and Billy Franklin, the trombonist,

decided to join Dixon in his move to Detroit.

Original Grand Terrace 3955 S. King Drive

Dixon told me, 'The day we left Chicago, Ralph Cooper, the producer of the show at the original

Grand Terrace, came out of the club and shook our hands while we were standing near the curb. When

I stepped into my little 1929 Ford and said 'Goodbye,' Cooper replied, 'I am not going to say goodbye

because you'll be back.'

I said, 'Not a chance.'

'Shortly after we arrived in Detroit, Don called his first rehearsal at the Graystone Ballroom. Before we

could play the first note, Don's manager came up and said, 'Where's the three fellows from Earl Hines'

band?'

'We all identified ourselves. Don's manager said, 'Well, I just got a call from New York and I won't be

able to use guys.'

'The three of us yelled in unison, 'Does that mean we have to go back to Earl?'

'The manager replied, 'Yeah, that's what it means.'

'After hearing that bad news, the three of us jumped into my little Ford and came back to Chicago. The

mob, through intimidation and organization, had things so well-regulated we couldn't even change

jobs.'

Later Dixon accidentally overheard a conversation between Ed Fox, manager of the Grand Terrace,

and Frank 'The Enforcer' Nitti, the Capone Treasurer, which shed light on what had happened. It

seemed that Joe Fusco, Al Capone's superintendent of breweries who was also plantation overseer at

the Grand Terrace, had called Owney Madden at the Cotton Club in New York, and told him that

Dixon and the boys had to go back to the Grand Terrace. Madden immediately called a member of

the Purple Gang in Detroit, and that individual gave the word directly to Don Redman's manager; the

boys had to return to Chicago. The 'word' was always the final message."

Excerpt from 'The Jazz Slave Masters' from "An Autobiography of Black Jazz" by Dempsey J. Travis

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Earl Hines Orchestra at The Grand Terrace

Bronzeville History at the Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles

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U Street African American Civil War Memorial

U Street African American Civil War Memorial Cardozo Station


City Within A City Greater U Street Heritage Trail #Black History

Check out the City Within a City audio tour hosted by NPR’s Korva Coleman!

Learn about the history of U Street, find fun places to shop, and great places to eat at 

the Greater U Street Visitor Center! 

Follow the signs on this self-guided Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail to learn more about

Washington's Greater U Street neighborhood, where a nationally significant, self-sufficient

 African American community flourished in the early 20th century.

City Within a City: Greater U Street Heritage Trail's 14 poster-sized, illustrated signs combine storytelling with

historic images. Discover the history of this neighborhood celebrated for nurturing

 national and international leaders in civil rights, law, science, and the arts.

The first sign is located at 13th and U Streets, NW, near the U Street/Cardozo/African American Civil War

 Memorial Metro stop. The 90-minute, self-guided tour loops through the Greater U Street 

Historic District and ends at 14th and U streets, NW.

Walkers are encouraged to follow the trail at their own pace, sampling neighborhood character,

 businesses, and restaurants along the way.

For more information, email  at Trail@CulturalTourismDC.org or call 202-661-7581

www.culturaltourismdc.org

Buffalo Soliders Black History at Audubon Park

Audubon Park

"The 39th Congress Section 1, Chapter 299, passed Section 3 of the Army Organization Act of 1866 authorizing  Six Regiments of Negro Troops, Two Cavalry and four infantry.  On Sept. 21, 1866 The Ninth Calvary was activated near the site of Greenville, Louisiana which is now Audubon Park.

Buffalo Soldiers Plaque

The Ninth Cavalry was ordered to Texas in June 1867 to protect the mail and the stage coach routes between San Antonio and El Paso and to defeat raiding Indians in the region. They maintained law and order, built forts, escorted wagons trains, and engaged in battles against Chief Vlctorlo, Chief Geronimo and Chief Nana,

SkychiTravels in front of a fountain at Audubon Park

The name "Buffalo Soldier" was given  to them by the Plains Indians. They gained respect from the Indians because their fighting spirit, stamina, courage and the similarity of their hair to the buffalo.

Children playing at the fountain

These soldiers fought in Cuba and participated in the famous Charge of San Juan Hill. The Buffalo Soldiers received 18 Medals of Honor. In 1944 the Cavalry disbanded and the regiments formed the 4th Cavalry. The Buffalo Soldiers made military history with their courage, pride and performance."

Fountain at entrance of Audubon Park

Did you know that the Buffalo Soldiers Regimen was formed in New Orleans at Audubon Park?

PhotoEssay: For The Birds! Audubon Park

Bird Island Audubon Park

Bird Island New Orleans Audubon Park

LaFreniere Park- Beauty of French Aristocracy

LaFreniere Park

New Orleans is the only city in the United States with its own culture, food, architecture, music, and customs.

The beautiful parks of New Orleans find their legacy in the French Monarchy appreciation for the palaces with expansive gorgeous gardens such as the Palais de Versialles. The French Aristocracy played games in gardens surrounded by flowers, birds and animals.




La Freniere Park is a magnificent park located in Metairie Park in Jefferson Parish. The 155 acre park features a lagoon with various species of ducks, geese, swans, rabbits, roosters and beavers.

You escape the crowds of the French Quarter to appreciate the nature of French Aristocracy at La Freniere Park.

MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Louis Armstrong Statue New Orleans International Airport

"Biography of Louis Daniel Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in the Storyville District known as "the Battlefield" on August 4, 1901. He left school at the 5th grade to help support his family. He sang on street corners, sold newspapers and delivered coal.

He went to the Colored Waif's Home for shooting a gun to celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31, 1912. He learned to play the bugle cornet and to read music from Peter Davis at the Waif's Home. After 18 months, he left the Waif's Home determined to become a musician.

Armstrong first married Daisy Parker as his career as a musician developed.

King Oliver succeeded in encouraging Armstrong to move to Chicago to join his band. While in Chicago, Armstrong married Lil Hardin on February 4, 1924. Lil was a graduate of Fisk University and an excellent pianist who could read, write and arrange music. She encouraged and enhanced Armstrong's career. Some of the Jazz icon's most important and successful work was accomplished with his Hot Fives and Hot Sevens Bands. They separated in 1931 and later divorced in 1938. Louis married Alpha Smith in 1938 after his divorce from Lil.

During that time, Armstrong became very popular and one of the genre's most sought after trumpeters. He traveled a great deal and spent considerable time in Chicago and New York. He first moved to the Big Apple in 1924 to join Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra. Armstrong stayed in New York for a while but moved back to Chicago in October of 1925. He later went back to New York in 1929.

While maintaining a vigorous work schedule, as well as living and travelling back and forth to Chicago and California, Armstrong moved back to New York in the late 1930s and later married Lucille Wilson in 1942. He remained there until his death on July 6, 1971. He left his entire estate to Lucille, his beloved wife.

Louis Armstrong was the most important creative force in the early development and perpetuation of America's music, Jazz. His influence, as an artist and cultural icon, is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today.

According to the website for the Louis Armstrong House Museum: "Louis Armstrong's achievements are remarkable." During his career, he:

Developed a way of playing jazz, as an instrumentalist and a vocalist, which has had an impact on all musicians to follow.

Recorded hit songs for five decades, and his music is still heard today on television and radio and in films.

Wrote two autobiographies, more than ten magazine articles, hundreds of pages of memoirs, and thousands of letters.

Was the only Black Jazz musician to publicly speak out against school segregation in 1957.

So popular that warring sides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa temporarily stopped fighting in 1960 to attend an Armstrong concert.

Appeared in more than thirty films (over twenty were full-length features) as a gifted actor with superb comic timing and an unabashed joy of life.

Composed dozens of songs that have become jazz standards.

Performed an average of 300 concerts each year, with his frequent tours to all parts of the world earning him the nickname "Ambassador Satch," and became one of the first great celebrities of the twentieth century.
Through the years, Louis entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on his stoop in Corona. Despite his fame, he remained a humble man and lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. To this day, everyone loves Louis Armstrong—just the mention of his name makes people smile."

Special thanks to Michael Cogswell, Ricky Riccardi and Louis Armstrong House Museum for their invaluable help and resources."

For more information on Louis Armstrong:

Louis Armstrong House Museum

34-56 107 Street

Corona, Queens, NY 11368

718-478-8274

Fax: 718-478-8299

www.louisarmstronghouse.org

KEEP JAZZ ALIVE!

Visit Buxton Settlement of Descendants of Freed Slaves

Buxton National Historic Site and Museum

As we sat in the in the cabin listening to Bryan and Shannon share their history
of the Underground Railroad, our minds grappled with the story that was being told to us.

Shannon Prince demonstrating the slave collar.

Shannon said "Yes, Patricia. You have questions? I can see the wheels in your head churning."

"One More River To Cross" written by Bryan Prince is based on the life of his Great Grandfather Issac Brown, who was a slave.

Patricia replied, "It is just that we haven't heard this before. It was always Harriet Tubman makes it to Canada; end of story, end of movie, cut." We all giggled at Patricia's description of the Hollywood storybook ending of the escape to freedom. 

Inside view of the log cabin.

Patricia aptly summed up what we Americans were thinking about our new history lesson.

Our TBEX FAM trip Follow The North Star Tour had brought us to Buxton Township of the Chatham-Kent area of Ontario, Canada. 

TBEX FAM trip Follow The North Star Tour 

 We, TBEX Travel Bloggers/Writers were chosen to explore Canada's Black Heritage. Our diverse group of women travel bloggers included Jennifer Huber of Solo Travel Girl from Florida; Steph Spencer of A Nerd At Large from Ontario Canada; Alouise Dittrick of Traveler Ahoy from Nova Scotia; Melissa Hogan of Suitcase and Heels from New Foundland; Patricia Patton of Boomer Wizdom from New Jersey; Chelle Roberts of Brown Girls Fly from Chicago; Michaela Hall of Awe Inclusive from New York; Roxanne Scott of Who's World from New York; and myself Janice Temple of The Skychi Travel Guide of Chicago.

Bryan Prince, Author and Researcher lectures about North American Black Heritage.

Now you are probably wondering what truths did we uncover about The North Star Trail? Well, we learned that the story did not end with Harriet Tubman reaching Canada. As a matter of fact Harriet Tubman never made it to Buxton in Chatham-Kent which is located one hour from Detroit, Michigan. The history of freedom is a Black and White story shared by both people. The presence of the Indian is just a myth in the lineage belief of poses sing Indian blood. It is more a story of the blending of the White and Black people.

Bryan and Shannon Prince are descendants of freed slaves.

Today Buxton is a town of 500 people of which the majority are descendants of former  slaves. It was one of the most successful planned settlement for runaway slaves. It was started by a white man named Rev. William King in 1849. 

This 1861 Schoolhouse educated students until 1969. Bryan and Shannon are former students of this school.

The Buxton Nation Historic Site and Museum curated by Bryan and Shannon Prince houses a 1852 log cabin, a 1861 school house, 1858 mission church, 1975 Railroad station.

This log cabin was built in 1852.

The Buxton Museum hosts an Annual Homecoming every Labor Day Weekend. It is a 90 year old tradition that includes a History & Genealogy Conference, Family Feud Baseball Tournament, Dance Party in the park, Church Services, Living History, Parade, Sports Events, Classic Car Show, Championship Games, Children Activities, Craft Tables, and exhibits.

Buxton National Historic Site Picnic Area

Visit Buxton National Historic Site and Museum

North Buxton, Ontario, Canada

www.buxtonmuseum.com

Have you ever thought about connecting with your Canadian cousins?

Field Museum Chicago - Africa Exhibit feat. Senegal

Bienvenue au Senegal  et a Dakar  porte de L'Afrique
Welcome to Senegal and Dakar the gateway to Africa

Leopold Sedar Senghor, First President of Senegal

Welcome to the Suburb of Grand Yoff!

Ville de Dakar, Map of the City of Dakar

Have some Tea

We look our best during Tabaski

How big is Africa?  12 million square miles
Africa could hold the land occupied by China, India, Europe,Argentina, New Zealand, and the continental United States with room to spare!

Looking for travel inspiration? Look no further than the Field Museum of Chicago!

 This Africa exhibit begins with a journey through Dakar, Senegal. This amazing exhibit introduces you to a Senegalese family celebrating the  holy Muslim holiday of Tabaski which is the Wolof word for sacrifice. About 90 % of the Senegalese people practice the Muslim religion. According to Muslim tradition, Abraham was asked by Allah to sacrifice his only son Issac. Abraham was disturbed by the request but decided to obey God anyway. In the morning God provided a sheep  as a substitute for the Abraham's son Issac.  Every family sacrifices a sheep in memory of Abraham's sheep sacrifice to  Allah in place of his son Issac.

Tip for visiting this African exhibit: One should sit at the transport bus and watch the film beefore exploring the exhibits. The film prepares you for your walk through Senegal.This is an interactive exhibit so you are allwed to take phots and touch the exhibits.

I made the mistake of watching the film last, I believe you will receive more context and understanding of the Senegal exhibit if you first watch the film.

The Africa exhibit has not been updated sine 1994, but I was impressed with storytelling of the journey. It  made me want to actually go and visit Senegal, so the goal of the Senegal Minister of Tourism has been achieved I would agree.


Has a museum exhibit ever inspired you to travel?

"Bird Lives" 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District Kansas City

Charlie Parker "Bird" Memorial
Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District 1600 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

Kansas City Jazz Legends - Charlie Parker, Jay McShane, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald
American Jazz Museum

Panoram Presents "Soundies"American Jazz Museum

John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection Exhibition

African American Dance in Early Films

1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Jazzin' At the Gem Theater
 Gem Theater

1615 East 18th Street, Kansas City MO 64108

(816) 474-6262

Jazz Sculpture at American Jazz Museum

Charlie Parker "Bird" played at the Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc.

Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc.

1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.mutualmusicansfoundation.org

Mutual Musicians Foundation Inc. Historic Late Night Jazz Jam Sessions Start at 2 a.m.
Jazz musicians have been coming here after playing at the other jazz clubs.

Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc.

1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.mutualmusicansfoundation.org

The American Jazz Museum and The Negro League Museum in 18th & Vine Jazz Historic District

American Jazz Museum "Where it lives"

American Jazz Museum

John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection Exhibition

African American Dance in Early Films

1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Jazz Artwork at The American Jazz Museum

John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection at American Jazz Museum featuring 5,000 Jazz Films

American Jazz Museum

John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection Exhibition

African American Dance in Early Films

1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc.

1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.mutualmusicansfoundation.org

Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District

1600 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

My Great-Grandmother was a dancer about this era so, I  had an instant connection to the John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection Exhibition of African Americans Dance in Early Films. This must see collection is "of soundies, short films and excerpts from feature films that highlight African-American singers and dancers from the 1930s-1940s performing on the theater and film stage, in chorus lines and nightclubs, and in front of big band and small jazz combos. These multi-talented performers popularized a variety of dance styles, including: tap dancing, lindy hop, jitterbug, jive, ballet and modern dance." -- American Jazz Museum

Things To Do in Kansas City
Kansas City's Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District

1600 E. 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

American Jazz Museum

John H. Baker Jazz Film Collection Exhibition

African American Dance in Early Films

1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Gem Theater

1615 East 18th Street, Kansas City MO 64108

(816) 474-6262

Mutual Musicians Foundation, Inc.

1823 Highland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108

www.mutualmusicansfoundation.org

Kansas City's 18th & Vine
Jazz & Blues Festival
October
Box Office 816-474-6262
www.americanjazzmuseum.org

Have you visited the Kansas City Jazz District?