George Washington Carver Museum - Facility Expansion Phase 1

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Background

The community imagined a museum and community center that would promote African-American history and achievement in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, the Carver Museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated. On October 24, 1980, their vision became a reality. What was once Austin’s first library, and what later became Austin’s first branch library, opened its doors as the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the first African-American neighborhood museum in Texas.

In a 1998 bond election, the citizens of Austin voted to further expand both the Carver Museum & Cultural Center and the Carver Branch Library. Today, the museum is housed in a 36,000-square-foot facility that includes four galleries, a conference room, classroom, darkroom, dance studio, 134-seat theatre, and archival space. The galleries feature a core exhibit on Juneteenth, a permanent exhibit on Austin African-American families, an Artists’ Gallery, and a children’s exhibit on African-American scientists and inventors.
In 2000, a Feasibility Study for the Expansion of the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center was conducted, and a three-phase building program was developed. Of the three proposed phases, phase one has been implemented while phases two and three have not been addressed. Phase one was completed in 2005 and included the development of a lobby with reception, lecture hall/theater, classrooms, dance studio, dark room, conference room, commercial kitchen, storage, outdoor plazas, and expanded parking.

In 2021 City Council approved a Facility Expansion Plan that reviewed the improvements proposed previously for phases two and three and sought additional updates to develop the new plan in line with current requirements. The objective of this project was to develop a facility expansion plan update, taking into consideration the site’s current usage and changes to the surrounding area. Extensive community engagement informed the planning, design, and development of the facility to reflect community sentiment.  

Project Description

As part of the project initiation phase, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has developed a detailed scope of work and is currently soliciting an architectural design team to execute the design. Additional community engagement will occur in December 2024 and January 2025.

Anticipated Schedule

Please note that as in any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible. All dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and the weather.

• Summer 2024: Project Initiation (Ongoing)
• 2025 to 2026: Anticipated Design & Permit Phase

Community Engagement

The next round of community engagement will begin in December. Stay tuned for the upcoming survey, pop-ups and meetings here.

Upcoming Community Engagement

Open House Kick-Off Community Meetings

Previous community engagement information can be viewed in the 2021 Facility Expansion Plan. 

Funding and Resources

This project’s design phase will be funded by 2018 General Obligation bonds. Future construction will be dependent on additional funding sources.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Tony Hron, Project Manager by email or by phone at (512) 974-9469.