We have many treasures at the Center - and some of them can tell quite a tale!  You don't have to come to the Center to learn about our culture - we can also come to you.  Your organization or school can have access to our resources in order to have an intimate look and perspective on history and the arts.

For instance, you can meet and talk to Joe Scott who played nearly 20 seasons in the Negro Leagues with the Chicago American Giants, New York Black Yankees, Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Memphis Red Sox.  During his tenure, he played alongside many of the Negro League greats such as Satchel Paige. Among his many accomplishments, Joe was the first African-American player ever to play at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Maybe you'll be really lucky and get to meet Hattie Childress who is probably best known for her exquisite quilts and pillows made from the purple velvet bags that come with Crown Royal whiskey. But Hattie is also proud of the food she prepares and cans such as her homemade chow-chow and other relishes, watermelon rind pickles, and preserves.

We are very fortunate to have David Bowen as a frequent guest of the Center.  He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career playing guitar with such blues and R&B legends as Johnnie Taylor, Albert King, Joe Simon, James Carr, Rufus Thomas and others.  Currently, he divides his time between playing with hard rocking Memphis harmonica wizard Billy Gibson and his solo work at the King's Palace Cafe on Beale Street.  Over the years, his young people's concerts at the Center for Southern Folklore have inspired several generations of youngsters to spontaneously dance, sing and clap their hands to classic blues, R&B and pop music that many are hearing for the first time.  He has recorded several solo CDs such as  "Where There's a Will, There's a Way" and "Blue Soul" which are available for purchase in the Center's Folklore Store.

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