smithsonian_logo.jpgCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ A Charleston woman's trove of African-American history is now in possession of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.

Charlene Hodges Byrd served as a leader in Kanawha County public education for more than 40 years. She died in 2009, according to the Sunday Gazette-Mail of Charleston.

She asked in her will that her collection of family historical documents be donated to a museum.

The 14-box collection offers insight into African-American life during the early 1800s through photos, poetry, newspaper articles and autograph books.

Byrd's goddaughter, Jaretta Engleman, said she took great pride in her family's collection and wanted to share its history with others.

Engleman said Byrd's collection inspired her and others.