NMAAHC Collections Search

Souvenir Program: Bethel Baptist Institutional Church Brotherhood Alliance

Created by: Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, American, founded 1838
Subject of: Dr. Wilson, Robert H., American, 1924 - 2011

Medium: ink on paper, metal
Dimensions: H x W x D: 11 × 8 5/8 × 1/16 in. (27.9 × 21.9 × 0.2 cm)

Type: souvenir programs

Place used: Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1956

Description: Souvenir program from the Bethel Baptist Institutional Church Brotherhood Alliance for men's day activities. The faded orange cover has black printed text at the top with the title and date, March 18th, 1956, of the program. The program is fastened with two (2) staples. The center of the cover has an image of pastor Rev. Robert H. Wilson. There is an image of the church at the bottom with the location at Hogan and Caroline Streets, Jacksonville, Florida. The interior has images of the men's day officials, a program schedule, and information about committees and speakers. There is an advertisement for the Afro American Life Insurance Company on the back cover.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Communities; Men; Religion; Religious groups; United States--Social life and customs

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

Object number: 2015.97.40.64

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Souvenir Program of the Goodwill Baptist Church in the Dedication of their New House of Worship

Created by: Goodwill Baptist Church, American, founded after 1900
Subject of: Rev. Ball, William B., American, born ca. 1890

Medium: ink on paper, metal
Dimensions: H x W x D: 11 × 8 1/2 × 1/16 in. (27.9 × 21.6 × 0.2 cm)

Type: souvenir programs

Place used: Richmond, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1953

Description: Souvenir program from the dedication of the Goodwill Baptist Church. The tan cover has a thin ribbon graphic border. Below the title, the location, 410 North Monroe Street, Richmond, Va. is listed. The dates for the services [November 22nd through December 11th 1953] are noted above the pastor, Rev. W. B. Ball. The program begins with images and a brief biography of the pastor and his wife, Mary M. Ball. The program has images of church members and committees. There is schedule information interspersed with advertisements. The program is fastened with two (2) staples. The back cover is blank.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Communities; Religion; Religious groups; United States--Social life and customs

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

Object number: 2015.97.40.66

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Constitution of the Lay Organization of the California Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Created by: African Methodist Episcopal Church, American, founded 1816
Subject of: Bethel A.M.E. Church, American, founded 1852

Medium: ink on paper, metal
Dimensions: H x W: 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm)

Type: constitutions

Place depicted: San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: after 1990

Description: Document of the "Constitution of the Lay Organization" from the California Conference of the A.M.E. Church. The typed document has three (3) sheets of paper stapled together in the upper right corner. The black text is only printed on the front side of each page. The constitution begins with Article II which reads [The object and purpose of this organization is to organize and train the lay members....] before stating objectives a-h. The second page has a history of Bethel A.M.E. Church lay organization from 1941-1990. Committee members are listed on the last page. There is an inscription [554 B] on the reverse. The papers have a crease in the middle from being folded.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Communities; Religion; Religious groups

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

Object number: 2015.97.40.17.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Program for the interment services for Joe Louis

Written by: Mays, Ella Kay
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Louis, Joe, American, 1914 - 1981; Reverend Ewing, Gene, American; Fort Myer Memorial Chapel, American, founded 1861; Arlington National Cemetery, American, founded 1864

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 9 × 6 3/16 (22.8 × 15.7 × 0.1 cm)

Type: programs

Place used: Arlington, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 21, 1981

Description: A program from the interment services for Joe Louis. The program is printed in brown ink on tan paper. The front page features a bust portrait of Joe Lewis wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and neck tie. Text above and below the image reads [Internment [sic] Services / for / Joe Louis / (Barrow) / May 13, 1914 - April 12, 1981 / ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY / Fort Meyers Memorial Chapel / Arlington, Virginia / Officiant / THE REVEREND GENE EWING]. The obituary by Ella Kay Mays is printed on the second page, the order of ceremonies on the third page, and honorary pallbearers and quotes about Louis on the back page. The program is two (2) pages with a front and back cover.

Topic: African American; Athletes; Boxing; Local and regional; Religious groups; United States--Social life and customs

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

Object number: 2013.46.25.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Journal of Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Created by: African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, American, founded 1821
Subject of: Blackwell Memorial AME Zion Church, American, founded 1918

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 8 1/16 × 5 1/4 × 3/16 in. (20.5 × 13.3 × 0.4 cm)

Type: journals (periodicals)

Place used: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: June 29-July 4, 1948

Description: Booklet of "Journal Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Session" from the A.M.E. Zion Church. The tan front cover has a double black border around the black printed text. The lower half of the front cover reads [Held in / Blackwell Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church / Chicago, Illinois / June 29-July 4, 1948 / Bishop John W. Martin, A.M., D.D., L.L.D., / Presiding / Rev. W. T. Beck / Pastor]. The book has a price of twenty-five (25) cents. The journal includes conference rolls, proceeding summaries, and observations and recommendations. The back cover is blank.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Communities; Religion; Religious groups

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

Object number: 2015.97.40.16

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Carte-de-visite of the Jubilee Singers

Created by: American Missionary Association, American, 1846 - 1999
Photograph by: Black, James Wallace, American, 1825 - 1896
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871; Fisk University, American, founded 1866

Medium: albumen and silver on photographic paper and cardboard
Dimensions: H x W: 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (6.4 x 10.8 cm)

Type: cartes-de-visite; albumen prints

Place depicted: Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1872; printed later

Description: A carte-de-viste depicting the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, with all nine members present. On the back, the photo reads "American Missionary Association. Jubilee Singers, Fisk University, Nashville, TN."

Topic: African American; Education; Humanitarianism; Photography; Religious groups; Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2010.54.4

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Letter to Louis Tate from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Written by: Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968
Received by: Louis Tate, American, 1911 - 1964
Subject of: Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957; Rev. Abernathy, Ralph David, American, 1926 - 1990; Rev. Dr. Walker, Wyatt Tee, American, 1929 - 2018
Signed by: Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 8 7/16 in. (27.9 x 21.4 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place used: Passaic, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America
Place made: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: February 12, 1964

Description: Typewritten letter from Martin Luther King Jr. to Louis Tate. The letter is signed by King in blue ink. The letter is written on SCLS letterhead and dated February 12, 1964. The letterhead is printed in black at the top. The letter begins "This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of recent date inviting me to speak in Paterson under the auspices of the Trustee Board of St. Augustine Presbyterian Church sometime in March or April..." The back of the document is blank.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Correspondence; Religious groups; Social reform; United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jyl C. Woolfolk

Object number: 2012.166.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

No. 18, Upper Broad Street

Photograph by: A. W. Möller, American, 1867 - after 1922

Medium: albumen and silver on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 4 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (10.8 x 16 cm); H x W (Card): 5 1/8 x 7 1/4 in. (13 x 18.4 cm)

Type: cabinet photographs; albumen prints

Place depicted: Thomasville, Thomas County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1895

Description: An albumen print on cabinet card depicting Broad Street in Thomasville, GA. The photograph looks north up Broad Street, with the steeple of the Thomasville First Methodist Church visible above the tree line on the west side of the street. The street is relatively empty, though a carriage sits on the left side of the road and a woman holding an umbrella stands on the sidewalk nearby. In the right foreground is a streetlamp. The photograph is faded with a yellowish tint and mounted on a piece of board with rounded corners that is green on the front and gray on the back. A small hole is located at the top center of the backing board. The back is printed with text identifying the series and photographer.

Topic: African American; Photography; Religious groups

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Sandra Lindley

Object number: 2013.117.3

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: Views of Thomasville and Vicinity
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Film poster for Sister Act

Issued by: Touchstone Pictures, American, founded 1984
Subject of: Goldberg, Whoopi, American, born 1955

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 39 15/16 × 27 1/16 in. (101.4 × 68.7 cm)

Type: posters

Date: 1992

Description: A theatrical release poster for the feature film "Sister Act." The recto of the poster features Whoopi Goldberg wearing a black nun's habit with a black and white wimple, red high heels and round sunglasses. She is standing second in a line of seven nuns in all white habits and black shoes, standing with their backs to the camera. Goldberg faces the camera and is leaning her proper left elbow on the on the proper left shoulder of the nun in the foreground. Goldberg's proper right hand rests on her proper right hip. She looks at the camera over the top of her sunglasses. Goldberg is standing with her proper left foot crossed in front of her proper right foot. At the top of poster in gray, bold text is Goldberg's name [WHOOPI]. In the lower half on the left side in black and red text is the film's tag line and title [No Sex. / No Booze. / No Men. / No Way. / SISTER / ACT]. At the bottom of the poster in dark gray text is the billing block. The verso of the poster is the mirror image of the recto.

Topic: African American; Actors; Advertising; Comedy; Film; Mass media; Music; Religious groups; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kathleen M. Kendrick

Object number: 2015.64.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Touchstone Pictures. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements
Exhibition: Taking the Stage
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tape recorder used by Malcolm X at Mosque #7

Created by: Wollensak, American, 1899 - 1972
Used by: X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965
Owned by: Mosque No. 7, American, founded 1946

Medium: metal and plastic
Dimensions: H x W: 6 1/2 x 12 x 10 5/8 in. (16.5 x 30.5 x 27 cm)

Type: audio equipment; machine-readable artifacts

Place used: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1960

Description: Wollensak Stereo-tape magnetic recorder, Model T-1515. Beige plastic with silver metal. The front of the recorder has several beige buttons to play, record and stop as well as volume and tone controls. There is a counter to track the time of the recording to the left of the buttons. The lid of the recorder lifts off so that tape reels can be placed inside for recording. The lid of the recorder has the words [3M WOLLENSAK]. The handle on the side of the recorder also includes the word [WOLLENSAK].

Topic: African American; Mass media; Politics (Practical); Religious groups; Social reform; United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.53

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: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pew from the Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Commissioned by: Unidentified
Used by: Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, American, founded 1844

Medium: wood
Dimensions: H x W x D: 47 × 51 × 29 in., 90 lb. (119.4 × 129.5 × 73.7 cm, 40.8 kg)

Type: pews

Place collected: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1891

Description: A dark-stained oak church pew with decoratively carved top crowns and sculptured ends. A brass plaque on the end identifies it as number 58.

Topic: African American; Craftsmanship; Religious groups

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, Illinois

Object number: 2006.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Religious and Sacred Objects; Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Carbon copy of a letter sent to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Louis Tate

Written by: Louis Tate, American, 1911 - 1964
Subject of: Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968; St. Augustine Presbyterian Church, American; Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (page 1): 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm); H x W (page 2): 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence); carbon copies

Place made: Passaic, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America
Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 10, 1964

Description: Carbon copy of a typewritten letter from Louis Tate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tate wrote to ask King to speak at an event at the St. Augustine Presbyterian Church of Paterson, NJ. Two separate pages. Both pages have a red stamp in the center, with a diagonal orientation. It reads "COPY." The letter begins with "Dear Dr. King: As Chairmen of the Trustee Board of the St. Augustine Presbyterian Church of Paterson, N.J. I am responsible for one outstanding program a year in relation to raising funds for a new church which we hope will be completed by early spring..." The back of both pages of the document are blank.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Correspondence; Religious groups; Social reform; United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jyl C. Woolfolk

Object number: 2012.166.3ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Program from The Riverside Church in New York City

Printed by: The Riverside Church, American, founded 1930
Subject of: Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 1/4 x 6 5/16 in. (23.5 x 16 cm)

Type: programs

Place made: New York City, New York, United States, North and central America

Date: November 18, 1962

Description: Program from The Riverside Church in New York City, dated Sunday, November 18, 1962. The program is off-white paper with black ink. The program is tri-folded and printed on both sides. The church's program that day featured a guest sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr titled "The Dimensions of a Complete Life." The front cover features a black and white illustration of The Riverside Church's bell tower on the left. Text at the top reads “The Riverside Church / INTERDENOMINATIONAL INTERRACIAL INTERNATIONAL / NEW YORK CITY.” In the top center-right is handwritten text that reads, “I shall never / forget this occasion.” The schedule for the Morning Worship is listed inside the program. Dr. King's sermon is listed on an interior page of the program and is circled in blue ink with a red star to the left. The back page has a short biography about Dr. King and address for donations.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Religious groups; Social reform; United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jyl C. Woolfolk

Object number: 2012.166.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black Muslim Leader Malcolm X Photographing Cassius Clay

Photograph by: Gomel, Bob, American, born 1933
Subject of: X, Malcolm, American, 1925 - 1965; Ali, Muhammad, American, 1942 - 2016

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (sheet): 17 × 22 in. (43.2 × 55.9 cm); H x W (image): 13 3/4 × 20 3/8 in. (34.9 × 51.8 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Date: 1964

Description: This gelatin silver print depicts a candid shot of Malcolm X photographing Muhammad Ali. Malcom X stands behind the counter top of what appears to be a diner or bar with a camera held to his face, smiling as he focuses on Ali across the counter and to his right. Ali wears a bemused expression and rests his hands on the counter top. Seated at the counter and beyond to where the frame of the image ends, are numerous men dressed likewise in suits; many pictured have focused their attention on the interaction between Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. There is only one woman pictured three rows back from the counter.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Men; Photography; Religious groups; United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2014.166.9

Restrictions & Rights: © Bob Gomel/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Textile made by the Ibo Jewish Community in Nigeria

Created by: Unidentified
Received by: Rabbinit Funnye, Miriam, American
Subject of: Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation, American, founded 1984

Medium: cloth, thread, dye
Dimensions: L x W: 74 5/8 × 46 1/16 in. (189.5 × 117 cm)

Type: textiles

Place made: Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, West Africa, Africa
Place used: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2004

Description: White textile with white and blue fringe lining the short ends. There is a repeating pattern of the Star of David embroidered in blue with a total of eighteen (18) stars evenly spaced across the textile. Also embroidered in blue in the center bottom of the textile is the name [RABBI CAPERS / SHMUEL FUNNYE]. There is a one centimeter blue band running across the top and bottom edges of the textile.

Topic: African American; Africa; Identity; Religious groups; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Gift of Rabbi Capers Funnye and the Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation