NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS) invites the public to A Legacy Revealed: The Unveiling of the Queen Mother Moore Marker and the formal opening of The Iberia African American Historical Society Center for Research and Learning on Sat., Aug. 12, 2023.

Last year, the organization was awarded a Rebirth Grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to host the Queen Mother Moore Legacy Symposium and Celebration to honor Audley Moore, known as Queen Mother Moore, on Wed., July 27, 2022. The event was on her 124th birthday. It was the first time a commemoration program was done in honor of Queen Mother Moore. Now, they are continuing the celebration with the marker reveal and the opening of the IAAHS Center For Research and Learning.

The day starts with the unveiling of the Queen Mother Moore historic marker at Da Berry Fresh Market (520 S. Hopkins St.), followed by the grand opening of the center housed at the Shadows Visitors Center (320 E. Main St.), and an optional and discounted tour of Shadows-on-the-Teche featuring the new and inclusive interpretation of the historic home’s history. Discounted tours will be offered from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 2 - 3 p.m. RSVP at Eventbrite.

Family members and academic scholars/biographers of Queen Mother Moore will be in attendance at the unveiling to join the Iberia community in celebrating her legacy.

About Queen Mother Moore

Born in Iberia Parish (Louisiana) on July 27, 1898, Queen Mother Moore was a pan-Africanist, civil rights activist, political theorist, African liberation leader, and educator. She was a founder of the reparation movement that is now being discussed in the H.R. 40 Bill and nationwide.

She founded multiple organizations including Universal Association of Ethiopian Women, Committee for Reparations for Descendants of U.S., African American Cultural Foundation, Republic of New Afrika, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church of North and South America, and the Harriet Tubman Association to name a few.

She was the president of the Federation of African People, and a life-time member of the National Council of Negro Women appointed by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Queen Mother Moore legacy is celebrated globally with honors from Ghana and humanitarian friendships with Nelson and Winnie Mandela. There was even a school named after her in London. 

About the Iberia African American Historical Society

The mission of The Iberia African American Historical Society is to foster the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the long, rich, and unique history of African Americans in Iberia Parish; and also, by example and through programs and activities, to encourage and promote research, preservation, and publication of historical materials related to the history of African Americans in Iberia Parish. The IAAHS is a not-for-profit organization that funds special programs and events through donations. For more information, and to become a member, visit IAAHS.org.

About the IAHHS Center for Research and Learning

The Center for Research and Learning facilitates the ongoing research and preservation of the African American influence in both historical and present-day Iberia Parish. Founded in 1868, Iberia Parish is comprised of land that was once part of four surrounding parishes: Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion.

The Center for Research and Learning accomplishes its mission through robust community engagement, acquiring and digitizing records, objects, and photographs that represent the inclusive history of the parish, and maintaining an archive that is both physically and virtually accessible. The Center for Research and Learning and its resources are available to schools for curriculum development and integration, family historians, researchers, and those interested in learning the full and inclusive history of Iberia Parish.  

For additional information, contact IAAHS by email or call (337) 369-6446.