SFA's Stone Fort Museum to host book signing

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Stone Fort Museum will host a book signing and reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, honoring the release of "African Americans in Nacogdoches County," by Jeri Mills.

Mills, a retired educator and contributing writer to The Daily Sentinel, will share images from her book and describe the process of collecting community history. Copies of her book will be available for purchase for $21.99 each.

After the Civil War and the end of slavery, African-Americans throughout the United States faced the challenge of survival while attempting to repurpose their lives. Through the images in this book, readers will get a glimpse of the unique culture that developed in the small African-American communities in Nacogdoches County.

Part of "The Images of America" series, there are sections that highlight occupations, religion, education, social opportunities and prominent families during the growth of the African-American society. The book uses archival photos to explore the distinctive local history of this area while striving to make history available and accessible.

Mills received her Bachelor of Science from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, and a master's degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. An active researcher and writer on African-American history, her works have been published in local schools, state and national publications.

The Stone Fort Museum is a regional history museum located on the campus of SFA. Museum exhibits interpret the natural and cultural history of the region. The current exhibit, "Misery & Remedy: the Rise and Eradication of Epidemic Diseases in East Texas," will run through December 2015.

For more information or museum hours, call (936) 468-2408, email stonefort@sfasu.edu or visit www.sfasu.edu/stonefort.