Today@Sam Article
Museum Exhibit Opens Celebrating A Part Of Huntsville’s History
May 23, 2024
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd
By Megan Buro
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library is proud to present “The Café Raven: Honoring Sam Houston,” an exhibit that highlights Café Raven and its nearly forty years of service to the Huntsville community as well as its ties to Sam Houston.
Café Raven was owned and operated by Abe Dabaghi in downtown Huntsville from 1930-1969 in the old Henry Opera House (today the location of Fabric Carousel). Dabaghi saw a business opportunity in Huntsville and decided the town could benefit from a restaurant with a more upscale menu. Dabaghi spared no expense for the restaurant, recruiting a French chef, having the restaurant air conditioned and a logo designed. The restaurant became an intrinsic part of the community, even hosting local events.
“It was a natural fit that the Sam Houston Museum feature an exhibit about Café Raven,” said Derrick Birdsall, museum director. “The very name of the historic café is taken from one of Sam Houston’s nicknames given to him by the Cherokee people—Colonneh—The Raven.”
Shortly after becoming Museum Director in 2022, Derrick Birdsall was contacted by Bill Dabaghi, son of Abe Dabaghi.
“Mr. Bill Dabaghi approached me and began what has turned into a wonderful friendship,” said Birdsall.
Over the next few months, Bill shared some of his family’s history with Birdsall. “After my conversations with Bill and his brother Shad, the museum decided to host a temporary exhibit featuring the Café Raven, as both a local hotspot for decades and with the connection between Abe and his affection for Sam Houston—who is featured prominently not only in the very name of the café, but throughout the iconography of the café itself.”
“The Café Raven: Honoring Sam Houston” is on display until Sept. 1, at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum located at 1836 Sam Houston Avenue. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 pm and Sunday Noon to 4:30 p.m. The exhibit was made possible by the Dabaghi family, museum curator of exhibits Jude Routh and many local historians, archivists and artists.
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library is a part of Sam Houston State University and is dedicated to preserving the memory of Sam Houston and his time. Located on the property once owned by Sam Houston, the museum complex includes the Memorial Museum and historic structures in a park-like setting, including the Houston family’s Woodland Home and the Steamboat House that Sam Houston died in. Throughout the year the museum hosts programs and events open to the public.
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