Iberia African American Historical Society "Celebrating the True and Inclusive History of Iberia Parish"
The Iberia African American Historical Society (IAAHS) invited 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 Saturday August 12, 2023 in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Last year, we were 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 Wednesday, July 27, 2022. The event was on her 124th birthday. It was the first time that a commemoration program was done in honor of Queen Mother Moore. Now, we are continuing the celebration with the marker reveal and the opening of the IAAHS Center For Research and Learning.
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’s 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.
The day started with the unveiling of the Queen Mother Moore historic marker at Da Berry Fresh Market, followed by the grand opening of The Iberia African American Center for Research & Learning housed at The Shadows Visitors Center, and an optional & discounted tour of The Shadows featuring the new and inclusive interpretation of the historic home’s history.
Family members and academic scholars/biographers of Queen Mother Moore attended the unveiling and joined the Iberia community in celebrating her legacy.
Schedule – Saturday August 12, 2023
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00- 10:00am | Queen Mother Moore Marker Reveal Where: Da Berry Fresh Market – 520 S Hopkins St, New Iberia, LA 70560 |
| 12:00- 1:00pm | The Grand opening & tour of The Iberia African American Historical Society Center for Research and Learning (Shadows-On-The-Teche) Where: 320 E Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560 |
| *** | Please note: 10 Dollar Special Tours will be offered at the Shadows-On-The-Teche from 10:30-11:30am and 2:00-3:00pm |