By Taylor Boyd
After more than 60 years of collecting books, newspapers, photographs, and artifacts related to African American history, the Rev. Tyler Millner is looking to donate his collection to community organizations that can preserve it and make it available to the public.
Millner said the decision came as he entered retirement and began thinking about the future of the materials he has assembled over a lifetime.
“I was more open or whatever. Somewhere it dawned on me that if this is of any value, inspiration, information, or artifacts, and it could be used somewhere else, well, it could be a blessing in my own community. I decided to switch my thinking and say, ‘Well, why don’t I leave it all to the community’ on the premise that it could be of inspiration and new and creative ideas for our community and that should be better for all of us,” he said.
The collection includes more than 1,200 books, along with photographs, newspapers, and research materials covering local Black history, Black church history, the United Holy Church of America, the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr., and other topics.
“I have a couple of study files, one on Pentecostalism and the other having to do with civil rights and leadership. Then I have tons of Black history of all types and all stripes,” Millner said.
Among the items are front pages from local newspapers that document events and developments in the community over the years.
“Someone has said the first draft of history is the newspaper. In that way, we can tell what was going on in terms of our community by what was reported in the paper. Obviously, that was not all, but at least that’s a recording,” he said.
Millner said he has one primary condition for anyone interested in receiving portions of the collection: the materials must be preserved and accessible.
“I am not open to giving it, and it be set up in a box. The whole idea is to add life and inspiration to the community, so it would have to be available. If my collection can be a source of inspiration and my artifacts can be an aid to teaching, then I feel like I’ve made a small contribution to the community that I love,” he said.
Since announcing his plans, several organizations have expressed interest.
Millner said the Bassett Historical Center would like to receive church-related papers that the church itself does not wish to retain. Patrick & Henry Community College has also indicated an interest in acquiring his books on African American history.
“So slowly the community’s getting aware,” he said.
Millner has already donated more than half of his collection related to King and public responses to him to Virginia Union University.
The university also suggested he donate the remainder of that collection to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond.
“I’m going to Richmond in the next 10 days to talk to the director and the curator,” he said.
Others have suggested creating a mobile museum using part of the collection, allowing it to travel throughout the community.
While Millner likes the concept, he is uncertain whether he wants to take on that responsibility himself.
“It’s a wonderful idea. Maybe somebody else would love that and embrace it, and I would be willing to donate it for that,” he said.
Those interested in learning more about the collection may contact Millner at 276-224-3514 or by email at tcmpastorms55@gmail.com.
