HENNING, Tenn. — Little over a thousand people live here in the part of Lauderdale County known as Henning, Tenn. Alex Haley, the town’s most famous former resident died in 1992 and over one hundred family members and friends gathered on Aug. 9 to celebrate what would have been his 87th birthday.

It was more than a birthday celebration for the author of “The Biography of Malcolm X” and the Pulitzer Prize winning epic “Roots.” The day also was dedicated to a peek at still unfinished Alex Haley Interpretive Center, which will be connected by a walkway to the Alex Haley House Museum – the home where he was raised.

Baris Douglas, the museum’s executive director, said the new center will be structurally complete in about two weeks. It is not expected to open until next year when all the exhibits and other items are secured and in place.

Alex Haley’s Family Tree
Source: Kunta Kinte - Alex Haley Foundation

Douglas, who doubles as the Mayor of Henning, grew up in Henning and earned an Alex Haley scholarship before going away to college. Douglas said he returned because he wanted to give something back to the community.

The new Alex Haley Interpretive Center is designed by Natural Concepts. Troy McCormick, an exhibit designer and consultant, was hired about two years ago to put the project together. During the weekend celebration, McCormick recounted how Haley’s ancestors passed along family history in stories told on the front porch of the Haley home.
McCormick, whose job includes interviewing Haley’s family and friends, said in addition to items about “Roots” and other written works by Haley, the interpretative center will include things donated by the US coast Guard, which Haley served in for over twenty years.

The center is conceived as a place where visitors can learn from and interpret the items on display.

Tandra Gause, 15, (left) shows her mother Gail Gause, and Beverly Johnson that she has won the Alex Haley Bingo game, as 5-year-old Dasia Beard looks on.