The Little Museum That Could
The Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum of Perris, California has been chosen to host
The Association of African-American Museums 38th Annual Conference, August 3-6, 2016 !
But, our little museum needs work! Alberta M. Kearney, 95, Visionary and Founder, and Lovella Singer, Executive Manager of “The Dora Nelson Museum” is asking for your financial help and support!
Over the last couple of years strong winds severely damaged the roof of the Museum. This unfortunately allowed rain to enter the museum causing extensive water damage to the structure.
The museum at 316 East Seventh Street in the Historic African American community of Perris needs an estimated $50,000 renovation, to replace the roof, floor, windows and doors as well as interior and exterior painting.
Over 300 museum professionals/curators from more than 200 institutions around the country and internationally, will take part in the Association of African-American Museums 2016 Conference. All who visit the Dora Nelson Museum will see our collection of historical artifacts, property records, deeds and mementos from African-Americans who lived and contributed to the culture, economic activity and prosperity of the Perris Valley, the surrounding regions, and beyond since the 1880s.
What a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to rebuild and preserve the legacy and history of the African-American community in Perris Valley, the Inland Emipire and beyond. Our goal is to have all of the repairs completed by Jan 30, 2016. Time is of the essence, so please give your support today! The Dora Nelson Museum is a 501c(3) non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible.
The Dora Nelson Museum needs to be ready for our guests in 2016 and beyond. With your help, this little museum can say :
“I think I can,
I think I can,
I think I can!”
Oh yes we did!!
Hours:
By appointment
Lovella Singer
www.dnaaahm.org
Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum
316 East Seventh Street
Perris, CA 92570
Our Story
Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum
The idea for the Dora Nelson African American Art & History Museum was conceived in 1979 by Alberta Mable Kearney and later organized and founded by Alberta and her husband, Charles W. Kearney who donated the land at 316 East Seventh Street, Perris, CA, to collect, document, preserve and make available the fading history of one of the first African American families that came to the Perris Valley community and those that followed who have made significant contributions. After being informed she was responsible for demolishing the structure that housed the first "Negro" church in the city of Perris, Alberta vowed to research and learn of the remaining history of African Americans in the Perris Community and provide a place to preserve it. Her research revealed that Dora Nelson who was born enslaved, was a member of one of the first "Negro" families in Perris and that she organized the first "Negro"church, First Baptist Church, in the city of Perris having prayer meetings in her parlor and then in her front yard under a chinaberry tree and finally in the structure on the northeast corner of 7th and F streets. Recognizing the significance of the church in the black community and Dora’s contribution, Alberta decided to name the Museum for this unsung hero.
Our Mission:
Dora Nelson African Art & History Museum exist to collect, preserve and make available for review and study for present and future generations artifacts, art, printed material, records of organizations which document the history of the African American presence and contributions in the Perris Valley, the Inland Empire and beyond.
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