[AKA2D '91]

GRAMBLING — Organizers hope to open a small exhibit of items from a proposed Eddie Robinson Museum in time for the city of Grambling's annual Juneteenth celebration.

Ruston attorney John Belton, a governor-appointed member who chairs the museum board, asked for and received the votes needed Tuesday to push for a June opening. The temporary exhibit was an idea broached earlier in a series of meetings to help jumpstart the long-dormant project.

Grambling Mayor Martha Andrus, an ex-officio board member, was thrilled with the idea: "Juneteenth would be a wonderful time to open that."

The Louisiana Legislature approved the museum in 1999, but the project was nearly derailed by a series of budget cuts and disagreements over location. In fact, the board that oversees the project hadn't met for nearly a year when these new efforts began in January.

Florent Hardy, a state archivist, offered to have a member of his staff bring memorabilia being held in Baton Rouge to display in this temporary exhibit — praising the idea as "something that would showcase the museum idea," Hardy said.

He recommended that someone from the university view the items to help with selection, and to take a management role when they arrived. GSU football coach Melvin Spears and others have recommended displaying the Robinson items in the foyer and upstairs trophy cases of the stadium support facility on campus.

The group also heard on Tuesday from John Arthur Jones, son of GSU's legendary former president R.W.E. Jones, who spoke on behalf of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore.

The museum has commissioned a tribute to Eddie Robinson, Jones said, and would like to join in a cooperative arrangement with the Robinson project. He proposed that the local museum display the new wax figure for up to three months at a time, on loan. The only cost would be travel arrangements, liability insurance and security, he said.

The wax museum, meanwhile, would offer referrals back to the Robinson project if people wanted more in-depth information on his life and accomplishments.

"I said I wouldn't get involved unless that was in place," said Jones. "I've known about the museum idea, and this could provide a back and forth in supporting each other in a meaningful way."

The wax figure, which Jones said should be finished in time for the 2005 Bayou Classic, will also be put on display at other events throughout the nation — an added promotional benefit.

In other business, the group approved an artist to create a logo, appointed Belton to push for support in advance of the next legislative session and discussed several fundraising opportunities — including the founding of a Friends of the Eddie Robinson Museum group.


Originally published April 6, 2005