BELTON (August 31, 2012)-Long-time historian Bennett Curtis donated her extensive collection of materials relating to Temple's African-American community to the Bell County Museum.

The collection includes trophies from Dunbar High School, newspaper clippings and photographs of Temple's African-American businesses, educators, and philanthropists.

Individuals such as Cora Anderson, Charles E. ("Mean Joe") Greene, Curtis B. Elliott, and many others are included in the collection.

"I wanted to place this material in the Bell County Museum to allow individuals, students, and interested researchers the opportunity to learn about African-American contributions to our city... because I serve on the Collections Committee at the museum, I knew that they have a limited amount of material on Central Texas African-American history," Curtis said.

The public will view copies of original paperwork, but visitors can see originals by making an appointment with the curator.

Other related items include information for Harris High School which was donated by Connie Demerson of Belton, and objects from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, donated by the Kinchion family of Belton.

For more information, contact the museum at (254) 933-5243 or visit their website.