Exploring the Autobiography of Matthew Henson

On April 6, 1909, Matthew Henson became the first person to walk on the North Pole. The rare book, A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, the first addition copy of which the Sylvia Gaither Garrison Library owns, serves as Henson's account of that landmark achievement. In addition to discussing his historic journey to the north pole, he also gives an autobiographical account of his formative years. The book also includes a forward from Robert Peary, a retired United States Navy Rear Admiral as well as an introduction by Booker T. Washington, the most influential African American during the early part of the 20th century.

Pictured: Matthew Henson

Introducing Tabitha Pryor, Curator of Collections

Tabitha Pryor has been brought on as the new Curator of Collections here at the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Originally from Hagerstown, a small town in Western Maryland, Tabitha received her B.A. from Bridgewater College in Virginia. She obtained her Master’s degree in History at The University of Delaware as well as a certificate in Museum Studies. Before coming to the museum, she worked at The Rural Heritage Museum in Boonsboro, MD, cataloging the personal and professional collection of Dr. Peter Fahrney. Tabitha has also done work at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, and The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.

Her primary responsibility at the Banneker-Douglass will be caring for the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts which provide an invaluable window into four centuries of African American life in Maryland. Tabitha also has the essential task of ensuring that these important objects are being properly preserved, catalogued, and displayed so that future generations of historians and citizens will be able to examine them for evidence about our shared past. She will be looking for more ways to incorporate the museum’s collection in exhibits at the museum itself as well as for educational purposes throughout the state. She is honored to be serving her home state of Maryland and bringing the history of her fellow citizens together.

When not at work, she can be found at her home in Annapolis with her extremely lovable pets.

New Curator on Board... Introducing J. Michael Powell

J. Michael Powell is the Banneker Douglass Museum’s new Curator of Exhibitions. Joseph Michael Powell is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from Virginia Union University and has candidacy for a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Loyola University Maryland. He has additional graduate study in history and museum studies from Virginia State University and Morgan State University. Previous to coming to the Banneker Douglass Museum, Mr. Powell was the Assistant Curator and Historian at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. As the Assistant Curator, he assisted in the creation and research of exhibitions. He has a vested interest in sharing history and culture with the public and embraces a personal philosophy of education through self- discovery. Mr. Powell looks forward to creating new and innovative exhibitions for the BDM, with an initial exhibition in May on Slavery in Maryland in conjunction with the Maryland State Archives.