Old Central Cultural Center, Inc.

Galveston's history is filled with many firsts.

One of those firsts was Central High School (CHS). CHS was the first Black High School in the state of Texas established in 1885. Several efforts had been made to establish schools after the Civil War for both Blacks and Whites. Adverse conditions because of the reorganization of the state and recurrent epidemics of yellow fever in the late 1860's put an end to the brave start of public schools which had been made in 1865-66. Finally in August of 1881 the elected school board officials chartered a sound Public School Educational program. The first really effective Public Schools for Black children were open on November 1, 1881.

Four years later CHS was established.  Before large cities like Houston, Dallas or San Antonio, Galveston was the Wall Street or New York of the South. Being a major port city allowed for the interaction of many cultures and people. This provided a more progressive community.  Old Central Cultural Center is now located on property purchased in 1893 before the Great 1900 storm.  Old Central High School and this site represents so much more than just an old building. Thousands of young Blacks walked the halls of this building hoping to improve their lives by receiving a quality education. Black children came from all parts of the state to attend CHS. Each staff member, student and CHS graduate from 1885 until CHS closed in 1968 are pieces of a puzzle that paint a picture of a community in pursuit of the American dream.

These men, women, boys and girls became the reality of the dreams of their slave ancestors. They became the answers to the prayers of each slave woman and man that prayed for a day when they and their children would be able to benefit from living in America. A community or nation is only as strong as its weakest link. Galveston recognized the importance of educating all students in 1881. The words "Colored Branch of Rosenberg Library" stand out above the West entrance of the building as a reminder of the evolution of our country to the ideals that our country was built on. When those words were placed over the door in the early 1900's we were not the perfect union that we professed to be, but in 2011 it is a reminder that we continue to move closer to that perfect union. 

Old Central serves as a monument and testimony for ALL people to see. We must never forget ALL the men and women that made the sacrifice to establish Central High School. We should also remember how each life of the children that walked these halls and grounds was forever changed because of the courage of those men and women.

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