PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria Riverfront Museum will start an exhibit next month thanks in part to what will be a huge donation.
The family of Annie Malone – known as the first Black female millionaire thanks to her cosmetics and hair care business – is donating papers and other artifacts that will be used in the “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone” exhibit opening September 16th.
“We have momentum in the story of Annie Malone to build confidence, to spark learning, and to do what this museum is committed to doing every day: unleash the full talent and genius of every individual,” said John Morris, CEO, Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Morris says the newly donated materials will be used in addition to items already in the collection.
“This tells such an amazing story of achievement from our community,” said Josh Swank, chair of the Collections Committee of the museum’s board. “The exhibition that the team has created here over the last while that Annie Malone’s possessions have been on display has really told that story.”
Among the items donated were a ring, made in Peoria, given to long-term employees of Malone’s company in St. Louis, Poro.
“This ring, if you worked five years for Annie Malone, she could give it to you,” said Agbara Bryson, a great-grand nephew of Annie Malone and historian. “This is a retention component for employees out there.”
Bryson admits he is sometimes afraid to look through some of Malone’s archives, because he never knows what he’s going to find.
The donation announcement came on the occasion of Malone’s birthday.
