DENVER (AP) - Paul Stewart, who founded the Black American West Museum and Heritage Center and was well known for educating public schools on African-American Western culture, has died at the age of 89.
His wife Johnnie "J'Mae" Stewart tells the Denver Post that he had been undergoing dialysis for the past six years and chose to stop the treatment last week.
Stewart founded the Black American West Museum in 1971 to display his collection of artifacts from black cowboys, a group that is widely overlooked in the history of the West. He was a noted historian and author on the subject.
Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock last year issued proclamations recognizing Stewart's cultural contributions.
Stewart leaves his wife and seven children, including J'Mae's son from before their marriage.
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