People from all over the state came to Arkansas City to visit The Friends of John H. Johnson Museum Saturday, September 18, 2021.
The museum opened its doors Saturday as a part of the Smithsonian Magazine's 17th Annual Museum Day. This year's theme is Experience America. It represents the return to, and resurgence of, our country's diverse cultural experiences. Johnson founded Johnson Publishing Company, owners of Ebony and Jet Magazines. In 1982, He became the first African American on the Forbes 400 list. He was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 1993.
The Friends of John H. Johnson started the museum in a replica of the American entrepreneur and publisher's childhood home in May of 2005. Johnson was able to attend the opening of the museum before his passing in August of 2005.
Museum guests viewed a video produced for the opening of the museum and did a self tour of the home. The video highlighted Johnson's life and work and UAPB's work to honor him.
Born in Arkansas City in 1918 to Leroy and Gertrude Johnson, They lived in a shotgun style home until his family moved to Chicago seeking work and education for Johnson. The double entrance, shotgun-style home features four rooms. A living room, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and outhouse in the back. The home is decorated with family photos, photos of Johnson over the years, and decorated in period furniture, pictures, books, cooking and potbelly stoves and other household items. He is photographed with former President William Clinton, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. A small replica of the home built by a McGehee student is on display. They also have a small collection of Ebony magazines on display. They are working on getting a case to display the magazines.
The John H. Johnson House is part of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's The John H. Johnson Culture and Entrepreneurial Center Project. The Friends began hosting a John H. Johnson Day starting November 1, 2019 and will host their second in 2021.
Michelle Robinson, a member of the organizations, said a museum like Johnson's is important not just for African Americans, because John H. Johnson was African American, but for all to see that a person can come from a small town and can become successful. They just have to persevere. He persevered to get where he was and did not give up. If anyone would like to donate money to the museum, they can send donations to M&F Trust department, Attn: Price E. Boney, Jr. P.O. Box 187 Dumas, AR 71639-0187.
