Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is dedicated to preserving Arkansas' African American History. The Center recognizes all African Americans in the state of Arkansas who have contributed to their history. Their goal at the Center is ensure that everyone is made aware of the African American heritage in the great state of Arkansas. They make sure that the African American children of Arkansas as well as all who will listen are knowledgeable of the dedication and sacrifices made by their ancestors to assure a great life for future generations. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center's main goal is to preserve the past from 1870 to the present.
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center was founded as the Mosaic Templars of America Center for African American Cultural and Business Enterprise under Act 1176 of 2001. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is dedicated to telling the history of African Americans living in Arkansas from 1870 to the present. It's intentions are to ensure that present day inhabitants as well as future inhabitants of Arkansas know and respect the sacrifices made by their ancestors to assure civil freedoms for future inhabitants. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center strives to gather and preserve as much African American history as they possibly can from the Arkansas area to ensure the education of their children and their children's children about their great heritage especially in business, politics and art. The Center also tries to make the "general public" aware of the vast cultural and historical contributions African Americans have added to the state of Arkansas.
Founded in 1882 by two former slaves, John E. Bush and Chester W. Keats, The Mosaic Templars of America was a "fraternal organization." It was established to supply burial and life insurance to the African American people of Little Rock, Arkansas. It was incorporated in 1883 by Bush and Keats. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center gained thousands of members. The burial insurance policy included a headstone by 1913 and the company grew and spread into other territories. The "marble markers" were placed on graves in many states. The organization grew and included a hospital, a newspaper and a "building and loan." The three building complex was situated at the corner of West Ninth Street and Broadway. By the end of the 1930s after going into receivership the company closed.
The Museum named for The Mosaic Templars of America has both permanent and traveling exhibits which include the Arkansas Hall of Fame. The Museum also has an art gallery which is also dedicated African American culture and history. The Museum also has a store from which one may purchase children's books related to African American history of the area. They also offer jewelry, historical books which go back five hundred years telling the hardships endured by the African American peoples of Arkansas. I think The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center would be a museum worth checking out.
Founded in 1882 by two former slaves, John E. Bush and Chester W. Keats, The Mosaic Templars of America was a "fraternal organization." It was established to supply burial and life insurance to the African American people of Little Rock, Arkansas. It was incorporated in 1883 by Bush and Keats. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center gained thousands of members. The burial insurance policy included a headstone by 1913 and the company grew and spread into other territories. The "marble markers" were placed on graves in many states. The organization grew and included a hospital, a newspaper and a "building and loan." The three building complex was situated at the corner of West Ninth Street and Broadway. By the end of the 1930s after going into receivership the company closed.
The Museum named for The Mosaic Templars of America has both permanent and traveling exhibits which include the Arkansas Hall of Fame. The Museum also has an art gallery which is also dedicated African American culture and history. The Museum also has a store from which one may purchase children's books related to African American history of the area. They also offer jewelry, historical books which go back five hundred years telling the hardships endured by the African American peoples of Arkansas. I think The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center would be a museum worth checking out.
Cite This Entry
Adkins, Debra . "Mosaic Templars Cultural Center." Clio: Your Guide to History. March 10, 2016. Accessed August 24, 2025. https://theclio.com/entry/7174
Sources
"Arkansas African American History - African American Heritage Tours - Mosaic Templars." Arkansas African American History - African American Heritage Tours - Mosaic Templars. MosaicTemplarsCulturalCenter, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Sept. 2014."A Living History: The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Exhibit." A Living History: The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Exhibit. MosaicTemplarsCulturalCenter, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Sept. 2014.