A&M HONORS WASHINGTON CO. NATIVE, MATTHEW GAINES

  

 

A display at Texas A&M honors a Washington County pioneer.

Historical information and art that observes and honors the life of Matthew Gaines, Washington County’s first black state senator, is on display in Texas A&M’s Memorial Student Center through the end of this month.

Gaines, who was born into slavery in 1840, was instrumental in the 12th Texas Legislature’s passage of the Morrill Act, the bill that created the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas under the Land Grant College Act of 1862.

The MSC Visual Arts Committee collaborated with the Matthew Gaines Initiative in putting together the exhibit, titled Everybody Gaines.

A&M officials say the exhibit as “an exhibition of creative work along with historical information that honors the life, legacy and likeness of Matthew Gaines.”

Officials say Gaines also advocated for prison reform, protection of the rights of black voters at polling places, and immigration.”

The exhibit looks into Gaines’ early life and political career. It opened Jan. 15.

The Reynolds Gallery, on the second floor of the Memorial Student Center, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is also accessible from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 29.

Admission is free. To learn more, visit vac.tamu.edu.

 

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