The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will open a new traveling exhibition titled “At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs” on January 16, 2026. The show features artifacts, artwork, historical documents, and multimedia from five historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University. Highlights include first editions of Margaret Walker’s works, Tuskegee Institute pottery, early scientific journals, archival photographs by Doris Derby and Chester Higgins, and a rare color video of George Washington Carver.
The exhibition matters because it brings national attention to the vital but often overlooked role HBCUs have played in preserving African American history and culture. Nearly two-thirds of HBCUs house museums or archives, yet their collections remain underrecognized. By showcasing these institutions as cultural and educational powerhouses, the exhibition reinforces their legacy of Black intellectual excellence, activism, and artistic achievement, while also inspiring future generations of museum professionals and scholars.