African American Military History Museum

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The African American Military History Museum, also known as East Sixth Street USO Building, was constructed in 1942 as a USO Club for African American soldiers who were stationed at Camp Shelby. The structure is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2010.DescriptionThe East Sixth Street USO building was unique in that it was constructed specifically to house an African American USO, shortly after the United States entered World War II, and had support of both Blacks and Whites in Hattiesburg. The structure is a T-shaped wood frame building. The interior contained an auditorium, stage, lobby, men’s and women’s restrooms, dressing rooms, meeting rooms, and a central brick chimney. The auditorium measured 34 feet (10.4 meters) by 55 feet (16.8 meters). The stage in the auditorium was raised 3 feet (0.9 meters) above the floor and measured 20 by 22 feet (6 by 6.7 meters) with dressing rooms on either side.HistoryUSO clubBetween 1942 and 1946, the East Sixth Street USO Club served as a home away from home for African American soldiers who were stationed at Camp Shelby. The facility was a place where soldiers could come for recreation, relaxation, and socialization. Examples of services provided at the USO included a library, darkroom, lounge, counseling, music, mail service, religious literature, and sewing service.