ART | Ricky Nobile

N EW C HILDREN ’ S C OLORING B OOK F EATURES

The USO’s rich history leaps from the

A FRICAN -A MERICAN M ILITARY H ISTORY M USEUM

pages of a coloring book by acclaimed
Hattiesburg artist Ricky Nobile. His new
book allows children and adults to read and
color together, while learning about the
African-American Military History
Museum.
Every aspect of the museum is covered,
including its days as a USO. Also show-
cased are many of the museum’s exhibits
and famous African-Americans, such as
Gen. Colin Powell and local heroes Jesse L.
Brown, the first black naval aviator, and
Ruth Bailey Earl.
“The African-American Military History
Museum is such an important part of the
area’s history,” said Traci Rouse, communi-
cation and marketing manager. “This color-
ing book gives children a chance to learn
about African-American history in a fun
and exciting way.”
The old USO building on East Sixth
Street near downtown Hattiesburg was
built as a recreational facility for black serv-
ice men and women stationed at Camp
Shelby during World War II. The exhibits
cover the military history of the United States from a black perspective, beginning with Crispus Attucks,
W
who died during the Boston Massacre and was an inspiration during the Revolutionary War, and proceed-
ing through the Civil War, World War I and World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the current wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
The book showcases Nobile’s natural talent through hand-drawn pictures and narrative. The coloring
book’s story details the museum through the eyes of three children and their museum guide. For Nobile,
this was a chance to learn and educate children and adults about an important part of Hattiesburg’s and
our nation’s history.
“While doing the coloring book, I really learned a lot about African-American history,” Nobile said. “I
had fun writing the story, and it gave me an opportunity to teach children and parents about the service
and sacrifice of these brave men and women.”
Nobile is known for his wide variety of artistic talents, ranging from political cartoons to children’s sto-
ries and coloring books. He has been drawing political cartoons since 1970 and is featured in 30 newspa-
pers across Mississippi. He also draws editorial cartoons for the Mississippi Business Journal.
For more information about the coloring book contact the African-American Military History Museum
at (601) 450-1942.
The African-American Military History Museum is a Hattiesburg Convention Commission Facility.
Since 1991, the Hattiesburg Convention Commission has been developing, operating and promoting
tourism-related facilities for the Hattiesburg area. The Museum is located at 305 E. Sixth St., Hattiesburg.
Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m, Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call (601) 450-1942
or visit www.HattiesburgConventionCommission.com.

TEXT BY LEIF MUNKEL

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE HATTIESBURG CONVENTION COMMISSION

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