In 1872, William Berry bought a farm in Ash Grove, and the Berrys have been a constant presence in the town since that time.

The family has preserved priceless artifacts from slavery times, including the lock from Wallace White's shackles, but also photographs, paintings, clothing and other unusual items that testify to the rich and productive he, his ancestors, and many others lived in the Ozarks.

Not only does the OAAHM preserve this unusual collection, but each piece has a story. Fr. Moses, a descendant of the Whites and the Berry's, has a wealth of information about each piece, handed down through a rich oral tradition. The OAAHM also has a small collection of antique African textiles and implements

What you'll see:

Quilts and textiles created by slaves and their descendants.

Hand-built furniture and farm implements

Pastel portraits and photographs of local Black families

Slave chains

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Some of the displays

Wallace and Daisy White in front of their cane brake