Vernon AME Church to Preserve Tulsa Race Massacre History

The historic Black church will turn its basement into a museum and cultural center to tell the story of the 1921 tragedy.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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More than a century after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, members of Greenwood's Vernon AME Church are determined to preserve the history of the tragedy that unfolded in their basement. The church, which was rebuilt in 1925 and is the last remaining Black-owned structure in the area, will turn its basement into a museum and cultural center to display over 5,000 artifacts from the church and Greenwood community.

Why it matters

The Vernon Witness project aims to ensure the stories and experiences of the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors are not lost to history. By preserving the church's basement, which served as a refuge during the attack, and displaying artifacts, the museum will allow visitors to truly understand the trauma and terror endured by the Greenwood community.

The details

The initial phase of the preservation project is expected to take about 18 months and is made possible in part by $1.5 million in funding from The Mellon Foundation. Archivists, archeologists, and elected officials were present at the unveiling of the project, which will include exhibits highlighting the church's founding, congregation members, and the rebuilding process after the massacre.

  • The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre occurred over 100 years ago.
  • The Vernon AME Church was rebuilt in 1925 after being destroyed during the massacre.
  • The Vernon Witness project to turn the church's basement into a museum is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The players

Vernon AME Church

A historic Black church in Greenwood, Tulsa that served as a refuge during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and is the last remaining Black-owned structure in the area.

Kristi Williams

A member of Vernon AME Church and descendant of Tulsa Race Massacre survivors who spearheaded the Vernon Witness preservation initiative.

Alicia Odewale

A Tulsa native and archeologist working on the Vernon Witness project to preserve over 5,000 artifacts from the church and Greenwood community.

The Mellon Foundation

A philanthropic organization that provided $1.5 million in funding to support the initial phase of the Vernon Witness preservation project.

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What they’re saying

“Vernon absorbed the trauma, the terror, the smoke and the fear and stood as a witness. Now, the church that absorbed trauma will teach truth.”

— Kristi Williams, Member and massacre descendant (tntribune.com)

“Everything our ancestors left behind to tell that story will be restored.”

— Alicia Odewale, Archeologist (tntribune.com)

“I was angry about how some artifacts were, frankly, thrown away. It's crazy how our history keeps being literally thrown away because we don't have a place to store our artifacts, we don't have a place to display them and keep them from being thrown away. These are the things that our ancestors left behind for us.”

— Alicia Odewale, Archeologist (tntribune.com)

What’s next

The initial 18-month phase of the Vernon Witness project is expected to be completed, at which point the museum and cultural center will open to the public.

The takeaway

The preservation of Vernon AME Church's basement and the creation of the Vernon Witness museum is a crucial step in ensuring the stories and experiences of the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors are not lost to history. By displaying over 5,000 artifacts and creating immersive exhibits, the museum will allow visitors to truly understand the trauma endured by the Greenwood community and empower the next generation to embrace their history.