The exhibition, Cohn High School: How We Love Thee will be on display at the West Baton Rouge Museum from February 2, through March 20, 2016. This exhibit commemorates the history and legacy of 20th century African American education in West Baton Rouge by highlighting Cohn High School, the only high school in the parish for African American students before integration.
Cohn High School was opened in 1949 and closed in 1969. For the duration of its twenty year existance, Cohn was not only an institute of higher education, but also a family and a community gathering place during the years of segregated schools and community resources. Despite the efforts of alumni and community members to save Cohn High, the school building was demolished in 2014.
Co-curated by Kathe Hambrick-Jackson, director of the River Road Aftican American Museum and the staff at the West Baton Rouge Museum, the exhibit Cohn High School: How We Love Thee begins with a look at early education efforts in the African American community of West Baton Rouge parish. It features a video compiled from oral history interviews, images of student life from Cohn High, as well as artifacts on loan from Cohn alumni, area museums and archives, and from the permanent collection of the West Baton Rouge Historical Association.
A reception to celebrate the exhibition and the legacy of Cohn High School will be on Sunday February 28, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at the museum. Refreshments will be served. The reception is free and open to the public.