Celeste Graves

The group was first called the Magnolia Historical Beautification Committee and was originally part of the school district. They opened the Depot in 1993. The historical society, which became a nonprofit in 2008, is now run by 11 directors.

"For the first 10 years, it was a struggle," Graves said. "Three or four of us did all the work. Now, we have 25 members and they all work."

The Magnolia Historical Society receives numerous donations of historical items from local residents and their families. The society has expanded the museum, adding a pavilion and separate buildings on the grounds housing a post office, barber shop and the office of Dr. James Maxwell Ware, a local physician in the early 20th century.

"He was the only doctor around," Graves said. "Dr. Ware delivered me."

Graves, whose mother moved to Magnolia when she was 15 and whose father lived in the area since he was 3 years old, graduated high school at age 15 with a class of eight from Magnolia Common School District No. 6 in 1935.

Graves wrote a history book, "Magnolia Memories," which included hundreds of photos from her father, William Julius Gayle, and his friend, William Aylett Dean.

"They had so many excellent pictures," she said. "I wrote the book to preserve the history."

Graves worked as the secretary and later as an office manager for the Magnolia ISD superintendent for 34 years, starting work there in 1952. She also taught short-hand in the district for 17 years while working as a secretary.

"I bonded with all those kids," she said. "Ten [former students] still come and see me every few months. Another group of six visit me twice a year. It's delightful they want to stay in touch."

After retiring from her full-time job with the district, Graves now works part-time in the district's office. The district named a building after her in 2006—the Celeste G. Graves Education Support Center.

Graves still lives in the Magnolia house where she and her husband raised their son and daughter. Graves has three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Always eager to expand the museum, Graves would like to have a display case there to commemorate the area's black history, but she has not had any luck getting donated items.

"I am going to knock on doors this summer," she said.