In honor of Black History Month, The Stax Museum of American Soul Music has brought home a collection of photographs that some Memphians might feel a connection to.
"Hooks Brothers' Photography: 75 Years of African-American Life in Memphis," opened Feb. 1, and showcases almost every aspect of 20th century African-American life in Memphis, like graduations, sporting events and weddings.
"There is so much historical significance in (the Hooks Brothers') body of work, to people from all walks of life in Memphis, especially the African-American community, that The Stax Museum thought it imperative to put them on display here, where they were taken," said Tim Sampson, communications manager at Stax.
More than 10,000 photographs are archived at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., and Stax has selected 80 of the black-and-white photographs to show.
"The photography in the exhibit ranges from the extraordinarily artistically to candid shots that simply captured the essence of life in Memphis," Sampson said. "There are many people in the photographs we have not been able to identify, and some who are very famous."
Some of those "very famous people" include Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton in a team shot of his LeMoyne-Owen college basketball team. The Hooks family portraits are also included among several shots of normal citizens in typical social situations. Dr. Martin Luther King, some members of the Ford family and Sen. Lamar Alexander can be seen as well.
"My family has been a fan of the photography since I was little," said Vanessa Verner, a senior psychology major. "I think the exhibit is a really great thing for the African-American community here."
Natasha Britton, a senior education major, is also a fan of the work.
"I think the exhibit will be good for families to reconnect with each other," she said. "Plus seeing people like Mayor Herenton will be funny."
The Stax will be hosting a reception to celebrate the exhibit's opening Sunday, Feb. 12, from 2-5 p.m. Admission to the museum is $9, and refreshments will be served.
"The exhibit represents a nice range of variety and we really hope that people who come to the exhibit come with stories and Hooks Brothers' photos of their own to share with us," Sampson said.
