Our History

OUR HISTORY

The People's Project

OPENING DAY
Sunday, September 21, 1975 | 4:30P

December 12, 1974 the Sponsoring Committee voted unanimously to establish the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. May 15, 1975, the people purchased the property at 1927 Dandridge Avenue, home of the newly created Beck Cultural Exchange Center. 

September 21, 1975, Beck hosted its formal grand opening celebration, with over 500 visitors and dignitaries in attendance. The featured guest for the occasion, Joseph Delaney, renowned artist and younger brother of Samuel and Beauford Delaney. 

This photograph was taken during the grand opening. Photo Includes: Dr. Arthur Ford, President of the Guild, Rev. Robert C. Wallace, Executive Director, Joseph Delaney, and Rev. DeWitt Dykes, Architect.

1975

Beck was established as a result of Knoxville’s Urban Renewal projects. With the support of the Mayor of the City of Knoxville, Kyle Testerman, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, the Knoxville Area Urban League, and the people, Beck became an institution in 1975, and was named in honor of James G. and Ethel B. Beck.

Beck Mansion

Built in 1912 | 1927 Dandridge Ave

James Cowan and Alice Saxton Cowan built the mansion in 1912. Dr. E.F. Lennon, purchased the Cowan estate in 1946. This was the one of the first Black families to move into the area. The home became the center of cross burnings and warnings from the Ku Klux Klan. Gradually, the area changed in racial composition. It underwent the greatest change during the 1950’s as a result of the Mountain View Urban Renewal project, which relocated many Black families from the Civic Coliseum area.

James G. and Ethel B. Beck purchased the Cowan-Lennon house in 1968. After their death, James in 1969 and Ethel in 1970, the house was held in estate and used as the Urban Renewal site office.


Beck Organization

Official Board of Directors

Following the death of the Becks, the people began to use the home as the Urban Renewal site office. The people sent invitations to the entire community to attend a meeting October 13, 1974 for the purpose of establishing a cultural center to preserve the history of the Black community. Urban Renewal destroyed the fabric of the black community, but not the resolve of the people.

The first meeting of the committee was November 2, 1974 at the Urban Renewal site office. Margaret Gaiter presided over the meeting. Present at the meeting were members: Dorothy Nance, Julian Bell, Mary F. White, Wilma A. Dunaway, William Powell, Thelma Tate, Emma Williams, George H. Lennon, Rev. D.S. Dykes, Bessie Brice, and Excused upon request, Porterfield Bradby. The following officers were elected: Margaret Gaiter, chairman, Juilian Bell, vice-chairman, Wilma Dunaway, secretary, and Dorothy Nance, treasurer.   

Beck Property

The People's Project

Bessie Brice, treasurer of the Ethel Beck Home for Orphans, which closed in the 1950’s, allocated $20,000 from the orphanage account to assist with purchasing the Beck home. Kyle Testerman, Mayor of the City of Knoxville, donated the remaining $2,500 from his administration toward the purchase. January 21, 1975, the Beck Cultural Exchange became chartered and incorporated. May 15, 1975, the people purchased the Beck house for the appraised value of $22,500. The Beck Cultural Exchange Center, African American History & Culture, was dubbed “The People’s Project.”

Margaret Ross Gaiter, First Board Chairman 

Margaret Ross Gaiter was a founding member of Beck and the first chairman of the Board of Directors.  She served on the board for over 40 years until her death, May 12, 2017. Gaiter was a graduate of Austin High School (1943), and Knoxville College (1947). Gaiter holds the title Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors.

The Delaney Family Supports The Opening of Beck

October 13, 1974, an organizational meeting for the establishment of a cultural center in the Morningside area was held. Approximately 100 persons were in attendance. Lucius Ross made the motion that the group proceed to select a Sponsoring Committee to explore the development of a nonprofit corporation to establish the cultural center. Samuel Delaney, elder brother of Beauford and Joseph, seconded the motion. Fifteen persons were unanimously selected to serve on the Sponsoring Committee. Among the fifteen were Samuel Delaney. December 12, 1974 the Sponsoring Committee voted unanimously to establish the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc.

Joseph Delaney, renowned artist and younger brother of Samuel and Beauford Delaney, returned to Knoxville from New York to be the featured artist for the grand opening of Beck, September 21, 1975. 
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