Perspectives & Insights Public Events

BCAACC features knowledgeable guest speakers who bring diverse perspectives and expertise on Freedom Colonies, heritage stories and local history.

Distinguished Guest Speakers
Microphone with six past guest speaker portraits

Distinguished Guest Speakers

Dr. Janice Sumler-Edmund

Huston-Tillotson professor and Cedar Creek resident.

Dr. Sumler-Edmund presented the little-known story of Aspasia Cruvellier Mirault, a Freed Woman of Color whose life offers important insights into Texas history.

Event flyer: book talk, speaker portrait
Woman reading during Bastrop African American presentation
Community meeting attendees seated in room
Seniors seated in small meeting room
Five women posing beneath Freedom Colonies sign
Event poster featuring smiling woman speaker
Older adults meeting around table with supplies
Two women presenting poster during storytelling workshop
Seniors attending community meeting in town hall
Group of people posing outside white house

Dr. Andrea Roberts

Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia and founder of the Texas Freedom Colonies Project.

Dr. Roberts' pioneering work documenting Freedom Colonies helped inspire preservation efforts throughout Texas and influenced the founding vision of the BCAACC.

David Huenlich

German linguist, lecturer, and historian-in-training.

Mr. Huenlich discussed Afro-German relationships in Central Texas and the unique history of Freedom Colony residents who spoke German.

Woman speaking to seated audience in museum
Man presenting with laptop to seated audience
Man in suit holding book speaking
Seniors gathered in community room
Woman gesturing behind wooden podium
Woman speaking at podium holding plaque
Poster: African American Settlements in Bastrop County

African American Settlements in Bastrop County

Several Freedom Colony descendants have shared presentations based on books documenting their ancestorsโ€™ lives and experiences.

These books are available for research in the BCAACC Reading Room.

Local history books are available for purchase. Revenue from book sales benefits the museum and is not for private gain. The BCAACC does not sell or endorse commercial products.