Jarvis Christian University Museum Preserves Stories of the Past

Photo credit: Donovan Bridgeforth

HAWKINS, Texas (TXAN 24) - On the campus of Jarvis Christian University, history is preserved in a museum shaped by the vision of longtime librarian Rodney Atkins.

Atkins, who made history himself as the first Black man to lead the Tyler Public Library, began collecting in 1989. What started as a personal effort to safeguard pieces of Black history has since grown into a space that offers students and visitors a window into the past.

His acquisitions—ranging from books to cultural artifacts—have taken him far beyond East Texas. From East Saint Louis to small-town collections, Atkins has spent decades piecing together a narrative that might otherwise be lost. Today, those efforts live inside the Jarvis Christian University Museum, where exhibits highlight the triumphs, struggles, and everyday lives of African Americans across generations.

For students, the museum is more than a display—it is a classroom. The collection helps connect young scholars to the broader social and cultural movements that shaped their communities, reminding them that the history they study is both local and personal.

Though Atkins’ most prized possession—his personal library of rare publications—remains private, the museum reflects his lifelong commitment to preserving stories for future generations.

“History isn’t just something to read about,” Atkins says. “It’s something to see, touch, and pass on.”