The Precursors: We Are Texas East Mall Project

The Precursors—We Are Texas East Mall is a commemorative space dedicated to the Precursors – the Black students who integrated the University in the 1950s.

The Precursors—We Are Texas East Mall will provide a community-building addition to the campus landscape. In doing so, it will join other public-facing campus projects, such as the highly successful Landmarks Public Art Program, in advancing the pedagogical mission of The University of Texas at Austin.  

The Precursors–Oral History Project

The Oral History Project is a companion piece to the forthcoming installation, hosted here. Listen to the precursors tell their own stories on this site.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

See UT Holiday Schedule for campus closure dates.

Free Admission

Open to the Public

Location

302 E 23rd Street, Austin 78712 (west of San Jacinto Boulevard on E 23rd Street)

Parking

Preferred Parking is in the San Jacinto Garage located at 2401 San Jacinto Boulevard

Explore & Learn More

The first official cohort of Black students started undergraduate classes in Fall 1956 and are now referred to as The Precursors. The East Mall project will commemorate these precursors’ experiences as well as those of the other Black students in the early days of campus integration.

Explore the design process for this commemoration.