Madison County Historical Society

 

 Black History Month

 
 

The Madison County Historical Society presents "Black History Month" Exhibit will be on display from Monday, January 20 to Friday, February 21.  The display is at the History Center, 7 West 11th Street, Anderson, Indiana.  The Exhibit Hall is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

The display and collection is large and robust with the focus being on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  On display is a collection of of pictures of the King family, Nelson Mandela, and many, many of local men and women in the community.

Organizing, researching, and collecting material was done by Bonnie Collier.   

The exhibit is  free to everyone in the community.  It is for you and your family;  that's why we do it!  Group times are available by request.  For more information and/or questions, please call us at (765) 683-0052 during public hours.  Thank you!

 

 Frederick Douglass traveled the world speaking out against slavery.  He came to Madison County to speak and almost lost his life.  Read more....

 
 

 

 During the 1930s and including now, Anderson and Madison County has had many Black musicians.  There has been a wide range of music including jazz, blues, doo-wop, and R & B.

During early years here, there were dances, dinners, parties, and many night clubs all with live music.  Some of the clubs and dance halls included Cedar Lounge, Elks, Union Hall, Green Lantern, The Stables, Charleston Club, The Armory, The Caboose and no doubt many others.

There were Blue Mondays! and Saturday Afternoon jam sessions.  The Stables had music six nights a week regularly.

Dating back to the 30s, some Black musicians were Stanford Cameron, piano;  Buddy Madison, saxophone; Dave Sleets, bass; Allison Turner, guitar.

In the 50s, doo-wop was very popular.  Anderson had a group called the Cairos.  The original members were Richard Cook, Earlie B. Remson, Ronnie Page, Bill Raymore, Oscar Taylor, and Leonard Patterson.  The group started out in high school and continued on when they entered the Air Force together. 

 
 
 
 

Madison County Historical Society|15 West 11th Street, P. O. Box 696, Anderson, Indiana 46015-0696|(765)683-0052|madisonchs10@gmail.com