NMAAHC Collections Search

The Comet

Published by: Booker T. Washington High School, American, founded 1913
Signed by: W. D. Williams, 1905 - 1984

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 1/2 in. (28.6 x 22.2 x 1.3 cm); Open Flat: 11 3/8 × 17 13/16 × 2 1/8 in. (28.9 × 45.2 × 5.4 cm)

Type: school yearbooks

Place depicted: Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1948

Description: A high school yearbook for Booker T. Washington High School called "The Comet." The cover of the yearbook is yellow with black text. At top center are the words “The Comet” next to a black star. At the bottom right is “1948.” At the bottom of the cover is “Booker T. Washington High School. The back cover is signed “Wm. D. Williams.”

Topic: African American; American South; American West; Communities; Education; United States--History--1945-1953

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Families of Anita Williams Christopher and David Owen Williams

Object number: 2013.79.25

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black cap with long brown feather plume from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: wool felt and feathers
Dimensions: H x W x D: 13 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 10 1/4 in. (34.3 x 19.1 x 26 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Black wool felt cap with feather plumes designed by Mae Reeves. The felt is formed into an asymmetrical cresent-like shape with an ear cut-out on the proper left side. Long irredescent brown feathers are attached to a single plastic quill case pierced through the front fold of the cap and tacked in place with black thread. The underside of the cap is edged with black grosgrain ribbon. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the ribbon at the proper left back side that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA". A cream and blue manufacturer's label is tacked to the felt behind the designer label that reads: "New York / Creations / 22".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.10

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black feathered fascinator from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: plastic, metal, feathers, net, velvet, and Styrofoam (TM)
Dimensions: H x W x D: 16 x 27 x 19 in. (40.6 x 68.6 x 48.3 cm)

Type: fascinators

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Black fascinator with ostrich feathers designed by Mae Reeves. The fascinator has a form with rigid metal edges filled with black plastic mesh. The top exterior of the form is faced with black velvet. Small black feathers are attached on the exterior of the form. Very large black ostrich feathers are attached to a Styrofoam ball by the quills, with the ball glued to the velvet on the form at the center back so that the feathers drape forward and to the sides, but not to the back. A black net veil is attached to the form and covers the smaller feathers, extending half-way down the wearer's face. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back interior of the form that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.11.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Cream turban with gold decorative pin from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: felt and metal
Dimensions: H x W x D: 8 x 8 x 8 7/8 in. (20.3 x 20.3 x 22.5 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Cream felt turban style hat designed by Mae Reeves. The hat (a) is made of formed felt with a round crown and sides that give the appearance of draped fabric. A gold colored asymmetrical metal pin (b) is attached to the center front of the hat. There is an interior hat band made from cream grosgrain ribbon. An ivory designer label with black printed text is attached at the propler left back of the interior that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.1ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black and pink beehive hat with pink flowers from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: velvet, buckram, synthetic fiber, and artificial flowers
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 1/4 x 10 x 10 1/2 in. (26 x 25.4 x 26.7 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Black velvet beehive hat designed by Mae Reeves with a wide pink velvet hat band and pink velvet top on the crown. Three (3) large pink artificial roses with leaves and stems are attached to the proper front side of the crown with thread and glue, with small round pink gems glued to the petals. The underside of the short brim is faced with the black velvet. The crown and brim are formed with buckram, with wire sewn around the edge of the brim between the velvet facings. The interior of the crown is lined with black synthetic fabric with a woven diamond pattern. There is an interior hat band made from black grosgrain ribbon. An ivory designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back of the interior band that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ochre colored rolled brim suede hat with feathers from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: suede and feather
Dimensions: H x W x D: 12 3/8 x 16 1/4 x 15 3/8 in. (31.4 x 41.3 x 39.1 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Oval hat with a high crown and a rolled brim designed by Mae Reeves and made with orange-red suede tape sewn in concentric circles. Ochre-colored feathers fill the space betwen the upper side of the brim and the crown. There is an interior hat band made from orange-red grosgrain ribbon. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back of the interior band that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black satin turban with red flowers and black bow from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: silk satin and synthetic fiber
Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 1/4 x 10 x 11 in. (23.5 x 25.4 x 27.9 cm)

Type: turbans

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Black satin turban designed by Mae Reeves made of silk satin chine with a black ground, chartreuse leaves, and cut velvet dark pink flowers. The fabric is pleated and draped so it swirls around the head. The interior of the turban is lined with black grosgrain fabric. An oversized black faille bow is sewn at the proper left front side of the turban. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back lining that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Purple tulle cap with pink and purple feathers from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: tulle, synthetic jersey, buckram, lace, and feathers
Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 1/4 x 13 x 14 in. (23.5 x 33 x 35.6 cm)

Type: caps (headgear)

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Round cap designed by Mae Reeves made from purple tulle gathered and hand sewn to purple jersey fabric so that the tulle completely covers the jersey. Pink and purple dyed feathers are placed intermittently in the tulle and extend beyond it. The feathers have only the top 1 1/2 to 2 inches of the vane, the rest of the barbs having been stripped from the quills. The cap is formed with buckram and lined with pink lace in a floral design. Gold woven tape covered with cream lace trim is sewn around the interior edge of the cap. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back lining that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.6

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Blue and white hat with blue tulle streamer from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: plastic mesh and tulle
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 x 11 x 10 1/4 in. (25.4 x 27.9 x 26 cm); H x W (Tulle streamer): 14 × 33 1/2 in. (35.6 × 85.1 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Bucket-style hat designed by Mae Reeves made from clear plastic mesh formed into a high round crown and a short round brim. Pale blue and white plastic straw is woven into the mesh in a striped pattern. A pale blue tulle hat band is tied into a knot with a pouf on the proper right side of the hat with the two ends left long as streamers, one being very long and extending below the wearer's shoulder. Beneath the tulle is a second hat band of pale blue grosgrain ribbon with a flat bow made of the plastic mesh tied at the proper right side. The ribbon and mesh band is now completely obscured by the tulle. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back interior of the hat that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.7

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wide brimmed slouch hat with pink ribbon from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: silk, ribbon, buckram, synthetic fiber, and wire
Dimensions: H x W x D: 12 1/2 x 17 3/4 x 15 1/2 in. (31.8 x 45.1 x 39.4 cm); H x W (Ribbon): 2 1/16 x 28 1/2 in. (5.2 x 72.4 cm)

Type: slouch hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Wide-brimmed slouch hat designed by Mae Reeves with a high round crown made from a dupioni cream silk printed with geometric shapes in pink, grey, rust, and olive tones. A wide pink grosgrain ribbon hat band has two tails that extend below the brim at the center back of the hat. The underside of the brim is also faced in the printed dupioni silk. Both the crown and the brim are shaped with buckram, and a length of wire is attached inside the outer fabric layers around the edge of the brim. The crown of the hat is lined with pink synthetic fabric. An ivory fabric designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back interior of the crown that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.8

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pink mushroom hat with flowers from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: chiffon, buckram, velvet ribbon, and artificial flowers
Dimensions: H x W x D: 11 1/2 x 17 x 16 1/4 in. (29.2 x 43.2 x 41.3 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Wide-brimmed mushroom hat designed by Mae Reeves with a high round crown made from layers of bright pink chiffon. A pink velvet ribbon hat band is tied in a bow at the center back of the crown. Six (6) artifical flowers with large rounded pink petals, green leaves, and plastic green stems, are adhered to the upper side of the brim. Both the crown and the brim are shaped with buckram, and a length of wire is attached around the edge of the brim and covered with the pink chiffon. The crown has an interior hat band made from pink grosgrain ribbon. An ivory designer label with black printed text is adhered at the center back of the interior band that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.9

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Singer sewing machine and table from Mae's Millinery Shop

Manufactured by: Singer Corporation, American, founded 1851
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: metal and wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 39 1/4 × 24 13/16 × 17 1/16 in., 46 lb. (99.7 × 63 × 43.3 cm, 20.9 kg)

Type: sewing machines (equipment)

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1956

Description: Rectangular light tan wooden table with tapered legs and an electric sewing machine. The legs have metal tips. The front side panel of the table has a grooved rectangular pattern with two drawer pulls attached to it. The proper left side panel has a hinge on the front side to allow the panel to swing out and act as a support for the lid. Two halves of two metal hinges are attached at the proper right side of the table, though the hinged lid for the top is missing. The top of the table has a rectangular piece with round edges that is cut from the top and is hinged. The black Singer brand sewing machine is hinged at the back side so it can be stored underneath the table top. The machine has gold lettering across the horizontal arm that reads "SINGER" and an applied gold-colored ovular metal plate on the upright arm with the company's logo and a rectangular metal plate with the serial number "AM523565". The machine has a light and an electrical box attached to the back of the upright arm. Two electric cords protrude from the electrical box, with one end having a two-pronged plug and the other end having a metal rectangular foot pedal.

Topic: African American; Business; Labor; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.

Object number: 2013.27.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Occupational
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Upholstered side chair from Mae's Millinery Shop

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: velvet and wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 50 3/8 x 22 3/4 x 22 1/2 in. (128 x 57.8 x 57.2 cm)

Type: side chairs

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1900-1950

Description: High-backed wooden side chair with an upholstered seat and back. The chair has early Baroque ball turned front legs and straight back legs. There is a carved scallop with feathered edges at the center of the front stretcher, the side stretchers are straight and there is no rear stretcher. The crest of the seat back has a carved late Baroque style shell design at the center and two inward-facing ears on each side of the crest rail. The upholstery on the seat covers the front, side, and rear seat rails. The fabric is velvet with a striped design in red, yellow, orange, green, brown, beige, and black. The back upholstery is edged on the facing and reverse sides with blue passemenetrie with an undulating pattern.

Topic: African American; Business; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.

Object number: 2013.27.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hat stand base from Mae's Millinery Shop

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: wood, paint, and tulle
Dimensions: H x W x D: 31 1/4 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (79.4 x 19.1 x 15.9 cm)

Type: hat stands

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Wooden floor hat stand base with a grooved column. A large dowel protudes from the top of the column. The hat stand is painted with gold metallic paint. A length of light purple tulle is wrapped and tied around the bottom of the column.

Topic: African American; Business; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.

Object number: 2013.27.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Occupational
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Portrait print of John F. Kennedy from Mae's Millinery Shop

Published by: The Philadelphia Inquirer, American, founded 1829
Photograph by: Karsh, Yousuf, Armenian-Canadian, 1908 - 2002
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: President Kennedy, John F., American, 1917 - 1963; Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D (framed): 14 3/4 x 11 3/4 x 3/4 in. (37.5 x 29.8 x 1.9 cm)

Type: chromolithographs; portraits

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1963

Description: Framed portrait of President John F. Kennedy. Frame is black wood. Image shows Kennedy looking above the camera and off to the right. Kennedy wears a dark suit and tie. Along the bottom of the image is a small horizontal white band with black text in two (2) columns. Centered text in three (3) lines: "JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY / May 29, 1917-November 22, 1963 / Thirty-Fifth President of the United States". Second column of text on the lower proper left corner in three (3) lines: Supplement to The Philadelphia Inquirer / December 1, 1963 / Second Printing December 11, 1963".

Topic: African American; Business; Civil Rights; Photography; Social reform; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.

Object number: 2013.27.6ab

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Portrait print of Major R.R. Wright, Sr. from Mae's Millinery Shop

Photograph by: Bachrach, Louis Fabian Jr., American, 1917 - 2010
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Wright, Richard Robert Sr., American, 1855 - 1947; Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D (framed): 21 3/16 x 15 7/8 x 1 1/2 in. (53.8 x 40.3 x 3.8 cm)

Type: offset lithographs; portraits

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1945

Description: Framed portrait of Major R. R. Wright, Sr. Frame is dark brown with gold and tan details. Smaller gold strip nearer the inner portion of the frame. Image matted under two (2) different mattes. The larger matte is light gray and the inner, smaller matte is dark gray. Image is a black and white photograph of Wright from the torso up. He wears a light suit and dark, patterned tie. His arms are resting on a table with his hands clasped one on top of the other. Wright wears round wire-rimmed glasses. In the lower right corner of the photograph, in gold, is the photographer's signature: "Fabian Bachrach". On the matte in the lower left corner in black text is the image caption: "Major R. R. Wright Sr. / Founder".

Topic: African American; Business; Civil Rights; Photography; Social reform; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.

Object number: 2013.27.7

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Radio owned by Herman and Minnie Roundtree

Manufactured by: Philco, American, founded 1892
Owned by: Roundtree, Herman L., American, 1892 - 1964; Roundtree, Minnie, American, 1896 - 1953

Medium: wood, metal, glass, cloth, wire, plastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 12 × 20 × 12 1/2 in. (30.5 × 50.8 × 31.8 cm)

Type: radio

Place used: Lyles Station, Gibson County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1948

Caption: This radio belonged to Herman and Minnie Roundtree. Minnie Jones Roundtree loved to play baseball with the boys when she was growing up. Herman bought her the radio so she could keep up with her favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
Description: A Philco model 48-482 tabletop radio owned by Herman and Minnie Roundtree. The radio is made of stained wood with a white with red dashed grille cloth. Below the grille cloth is the radio tuning dial with short wave, FM and AM frequencies. Two plastic knobs are on either side of the dial. Ten plastic pushbuttons are below the dial. The back of the radio is open. Inside the radio are vacuum tubes, fuses, wire, an electrical cord and other radio components.

Topic: African American; Baseball; Communication; Communities; Domestic life; Families; Radio; Rural life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation

Object number: 2012.155.9

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Audiovisual
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black cap with netted lace and silver flower brooch from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: satin, net, ribbon, metal, and glass
Dimensions: H x W x D: 11 x 14 x 12 1/2 in. (27.9 x 35.6 x 31.8 cm)

Type: caps (headgear)

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Black cap (a) designed by Mae Reeves made from five (5) triangular pieces of satin and lined with black grosgrain fabric. Black net with small black dots is gathered and sewn at the proper front and back centers of the cap. It is poufed over the cap and extends beyond the sides of the cap, likely fixed in place with an aerosol adhesive. Black satin ribbon is tied in a bow and sewn at the center front of the cap, then covered with a large costume brooch (b) of a flower with silver metal petals and a center of small faux diamonds. There is an interior hat band of black grosgrain ribbon. An ivory fabric designer label is adhered to the center back of the interior band that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA". There are two metal hair pins on the cap, one on either side of the label.

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.213.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Dressing Table from Mae's Millinery Shop

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: paint on wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 30 5/8 × 66 1/4 × 22 in. (77.8 × 168.3 × 55.9 cm)

Type: tables (support furniture)

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: A rectangular painted wood table from Mae's Millinery Shop. The table has several layers of paint in various colors including white, shades of off-white, and light pink. There are also fragments of faux wood grain contact paper on the tabletop. The top is supported by two turned bulbous legs. The middle section of each leg has carved decorations of ovals filled with stylized leaves in a Classical Revival style. Three (3) scroll-shaped supports at the top of each leg support and connect the top to the legs. Each leg has two (2) carved feet extending from opposite sides with decorative paw feet on pedestals. The legs are connected near the bottom with one (1) stretcher.

Topic: African American; Business; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2016.48.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Rust satin and black lace turban from Mae's Millinery Shop

Designed by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium: silk satin, net, buckram, metal, and glass
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 3/8 x 8 x 9 1/2 in. (18.7 x 20.3 x 24.1 cm)

Type: hats

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1941-1994

Description: Rust turban style women's hat with black lace designed by Mae Reeves. The hat (a) is formed with buckram covered in rust silk satin that is overlaid in black lace net with a small repeating leaf design. The satin and net are tightly gathered in a circle with deep pleats at the top of the flat crown. The asymmetrical pleats around the sides of the hat are stitched down at the center back seam. A large costume brooch (b) with a two-tiered ovular design of fake bronze stones and yellow diamonds is pinned to the center front of the hat. An interior hat band is made from dark tan grosgrain ribbon. An ivory designer label with black printed text is adhered to the center back of the interior band that reads: "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA".

Topic: African American; Business; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donna Limerick

Object number: 2016.48.11ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Power of Place
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 051

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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