MARTINEZ, Calif. – A new exhibit opens Sunday at the Martinez Historical Museum, ethnic dolls and other memorabilia from the collection of Martinez resident Rosalyne Miller-Boyd.
It will be displayed alongside another exhibit, “Amen!” that illustrates the stories of seven of this city’s churches, and both will remain at the museum until the end of March, said Andrea Blachman, museum director.
“She and I were visiting one day,” Blachman said about a conversation she had with Miller-Boyd. “The subject of the dolls came up.”
As Miller-Boyd described her collection, Blachman decided they would make an interesting historical exhibit, especially in February, which is Black History Month.
Miller-Boyd not only agreed to let the museum display her collection, she chose the name of the exhibit, “Images in Black,” and is dividing the dolls and memorabilia into three categories, labeled “Yesterday,” “Today” and “African Diaspora.”
Her collection will be arranged in the museum’s school room, Blachman said.
The “Amen!” exhibit will continue concurrently, giving visitors a chance to see church vestments and banners on the lower floor and other artifacts in the upstairs “Olden Days” room.
Churches who contributed to “Amen!” are First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Creekside Church, Morello Hills Christian Church and Grace Episcopal Church.
Miller Boyd will be at the museum, 1005 Escobar St., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, when her display opens to the public.
