NMAAHC Collections Search

Playbill for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill

Published by: Playbill, American, founded 1884
Subject of: Holiday, Billie, American, 1915 - 1959; McKee, Lonette, American, born 1954; Holgate, Danny; Stevenson, Rudy; Jackson, David

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 8 3/8 x 5 5/8 in. (21.3 x 14.3 cm)

Type: theater programs

Place used: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1986

Description: Playbill for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. White background with blue box at top; white box below with photograph of a woman with a flower in her hair. The photograph is divided into quadrants with the bottom left quadrant replaced with a photograph of the woman singing. [PLAYBILL/WESTSIDE ARTS THEATRE/UPSTAIRS/LADY DAY/AT EMERSON'S/BAR & GRILL] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1986.

Topic: African American; Drama (Theatre); Jazz (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number: 2011.45.52

Restrictions & Rights: Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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

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

Harry Belafonte confers with Mrs. Coretta Scott King while seated next to Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Mrs Alberta King

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984; King, Alberta, American, 1904 - 1974; Unidentified Woman or Women; Unidentified Man or Men; Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Harry Belafonte confers with Mrs. Coretta Scott King while seated next to Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Mrs. Alberta King. Dr. King's parents were affectionally [sic] known as "Mama King" and "Daddy King".
Description: This black and white photograph shows Harry Belafonte speaking with Coretta Scott King, who is looking at the camera, inside of Ebenezer Baptist Church for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday commemoration in 1969. They are seated next to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta King who are holding programs. Other attendees can be seen in the background. The background is not in focus but media equipment and the stained glass windows are still visible. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.11

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Press Coverage of First Birthday Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women; Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984; King, Alberta, American, 1904 - 1974
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Notice the press covering the program as Mrs. King is surrounded by family members and friends. I have been told that there are very few recorded and published images from this first birthday celebration which make the photographs that you are seeing here extremely rare. I've seen no others.
Description: This black and white photograph shows the King family seated inside Ebenezer Baptist Church for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday commemoration in 1969. Coretta Scott King is seated in the center of the photograph. Harry Belafonte is seated to the proper left of King and there is an unidentified woman to the proper left of Belafonte. To the other side of Coretta Scott King, Alberta and Martin Luther King Sr. are seated. There are unidentified men behind the family along with press and their equipment. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.27

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coretta Scott King observes the program from her seat with actor Harry Belafonte and members of her family

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women; King, Alberta, American, 1904 - 1974; Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Mrs. Coretta Scott King seems pleased as she observes the program from her seat with actor Harry Belafonte and other members of her family.
Description: This black and white photograph shows the King family seated inside Ebenezer Baptist Church for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday commemoration in 1969. The King family is seated in the center of the photograph. Harry Belafonte is seated to the proper left of Coretta Scott King and there are two unidentified woman to the proper left of Belafonte. On the other side of Coretta Scott King, Alberta and Martin Luther King Sr. are seated before the end of the row. There is a row of press seated in front of the family as well as standing in the aisle behind them. Other attendees are behind the press and the family. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.28

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Harry Belafonte prepares to go inside Ebenezer Baptist Church for Dr. King's memorial service

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; Unidentified Woman or Women; Unidentified Man or Men
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: portraits; inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Movie star and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte prepares to go inside Ebenezer Baptist church [sic] for Dr. King's memorial service. Mr. Belafonte was a very close friend of the King family.
Description: This black and white photograph shows Harry Belafonte arriving by car to the commemorative birthday service for Martin Luther King Jr. in 1969 at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The car door is open and Belafonte is facing away from the car. There is an unidentified crowd behind the car. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, photographer's stamp and a handwritten inscription.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.3

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Harry Belafonte holds the door open for the King children before getting into his limosine

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: portraits; inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Harry Belafonte holds the door open for the king [sic] children before getting into his limosine [sic].
Description: This black and white photograph shows Harry Belafonte standing in a dark suit with one hand on an open car door. Belafonte is outside of Ebenezer Baptist Church after the first commemorative birthday event for Martin Luther King Jr. in 1969. The top of an unidentified individual's head can be seen at the bottom of the photograph. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.34

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Fans gathered around Harry Belefonte's limosine after the first birthday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Child or Children
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: portraits; inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Many adoring fans sought to get close enough to Harry Belfaonte to shake his hand, but because of this extraordinary event for which he was in Atlanta, they showed restraint and respect during his visit.
Description: This black and white photograph shows Harry Belafonte seated in a car after the first commemorative birthday event for Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1969. Belafonte is smiling slightly and looking out of the car window toward the camera. There is an unidentified man seated next to Belafonte and an unidentified child seated behind them. There is a crowd standing behind the car. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

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

Object number: 2011.94.35

Restrictions & Rights: © Horace Henry

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph portrait of Samuel Grant

Photograph by: Unidentified
Owned by: Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016
Subject of: Grant, Samuel, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 6 9/16 x 4 1/2 in. (16.7 x 11.4 cm); H x W (Sheet): 6 15/16 x 5 in. (17.6 x 12.7 cm)

Type: photographs; portraits

Place collected: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
Place captured: Vidalia, Toombs County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: before 1926

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Samuel Grant, Mae Reeves' father. He stands to the left of an empty leather high back chair and wears a dark suit and bowler hat. His right arm rests on the top of the chair.

Topic: African American; Families; Photography

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

Object number: 2010.6.220

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: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Jersey for the Atlanta Braves worn and autographed by Hank Aaron

Created by: Spalding, American, founded 1876
Worn by: Aaron, Hank, American, born 1934

Medium: wool, synthetic fiber, plastic
Dimensions: On form: 34 1/4 × 26 × 9 1/2 in. (87 × 66 × 24.1 cm)

Type: jerseys; sports uniforms

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1968-1969

Description: Atlanta Braves "away" or "road" jersey worn by Hank Aaron during the 1968 or 1969 MLB season. Jersey is grey in color with blue and red stitched type on front and back. Type on front chest area reads, [Braves]. Type on back reads, [44]. Patch on PR sleeve features an MLB logo with red type that reads, [100th ANNIVERSARY]. Patch on PL sleeve features an illustration of a caricatured American Indian face. Hank Aaron autograph in lower portion of jersey's front. Next to signature are several labels including a Spalding label and a size "40" label. Label with blue ink on inside of neckline reads, [44 40 68].

Topic: African American; Athletes; Baseball; Clothing and dress

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

Object number: 2014.297.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical; Memorabilia and Ephemera
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

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

Something to Build On

16mm motion picture film of Something to Build On

Directed by: Bourne, St. Clair, American, 1943 - 2007
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Composed by: Hancock, Herbie, American, born 1940
Subject of: Nairobi College, founded 1969
Created by: California State University, Los Angeles, American, founded 1947
Subject of: The City College of the City University of New York, American, founded 1847; St. Petersburg College, American, founded 1927; Clark Atlanta University, American, founded 1988; Morehouse College, American, founded 1867
Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film;
Dimensions: Duration: 30 Minutes; Length (Film): 1190 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: East Palo Alto, San Mateo County, California, United States, North and Central America; Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America; Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, United States, North and Central America; Harlem, New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America; Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced by his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.
Description: 16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.; Consists of: 16mm Film (a).; 2012.79.1.54.1a: 16mm film. Film begins with an introduction animated segment of a young black man walking down a city sidewalk and then entering a doorway with the word College written over it. A musical soundtrack accompanies the animation. He walks down the hallway past doors and a trophy case while the voiceover narration begins. The narration focuses on thinking about how to get started on applying for college. The animation sequence depicts the prospective student collecting paperwork and talking to the appropriate people to take to the door with a college sign next to it. The animated introduction ends and the film transitions to live action and the title of the film. A man runs out of a storefront across a parking lot to his car. The next scene shows a professor leading a class discussion in a classroom. Then there is an exterior shot of Nairobi College and the man from earlier in the film running in the front door. The college is located in a small house. The narrator introduces the college and the man joins the classroom conversation. The narrator introduces Nate Perry, the man that has been in the film, and he talks about enrolling in Nairobi College. The narrator explains that the purpose of the college is to teach leaders for non-white communities and break down the separation of the college and the community by holding classes in different locations. The next scene shows the Nairobi College Cultural Center and students playing music and dancing. The next subject of the film is California State College (California State University) in Los Angeles. The narrator discusses the importance of the college for the Mexican American community. There is a shot of the front door of College Recruitment for Educational Opportunity (CREO). The door also has a sign for Community Relations for Educational Opportunity (also CREO). People are shown walking into the office and talking to someone in the office and he answers questions about gaining admission to college. A man is shown talking outside and a group discussion ensues about confronting the power structure. An inside classroom discussion also shows students talking about similar problems as those in the outside discussion. The next scene shows New York City and the narrator begins talking about City College of New York in Harlem and the importance of providing both financial assistance as well as special counseling and tutoring. However, the narrator points out that black and Puerto Rican students demanded an open admissions policy. A group of students is shown discussing education issues and going back to the community to work and raise awareness. The narrator introduces Megan McLaughlin, and she describes through a voiceover narration the Search for Elevation, Education, and Knowledge (SEEK) Program. She is shown walking on sidewalks during the voiceover narration. The next scene features St. Petersburg College, and the narrator discusses attending a junior college before attending a four-year institution. Students share their experiences and how students can benefit from attending a junior college. The smaller classes are beneficial and the opportunity to balance home life with attending college are among those benefits. The scene is filmed inside of a moving car while Don Gekkins, director of the Service Center Program, talks about how the program works. The next scene shows him entering a classroom where children are reciting words displayed on cards held by a tutor from the junior college. Don Gekkins is then shown leaving his house with his two sons and playing with them. Gekkins, in a voiceover narration, describes growing up in a depressed area of St. Petersburg. The next scene shows a college marching band leading a parade down a street. The narrator discusses this parade in the context of a four-year university and the distractions of a four-year university, particularly sports events. The university being discussed appears to be Howard University in Washington, D.C. After footage of cheerleaders and a football game, a football player is interviewed about attending college on a scholarship. After the interview, there is footage of a football practice. The next scene includes an interview with Tom Nelson, a college graduate and ex-professional football player. The next scene shows two men picking up trash on the sidewalk, then some other men performing municipal trash service. There is footage of a college campus, probably Clark University in Atlanta, while the narrator discusses the main reasons for attending college. The next scene shows a woman walking on a sidewalk and into a building while the narrator begins a discussion about financial aid. The woman enters an office and talks to a financial aid officer while the narrator discusses the difference between types of financial aid. The next scene shows a student from Nigeria at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and he discusses studying science to bring back knowledge to Nigeria. The film ends with the narrator presenting a summary of what has been discussed, and there is a montage of images from the entire film.

Topic: African American; Dance; Education; Football; Urban life

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

Object number: 2012.79.1.54.1a

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Something to Build On

16mm motion picture film of Something to Build On

Directed by: Bourne, St. Clair, American, 1943 - 2007
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Composed by: Hancock, Herbie, American, born 1940
Subject of: Nairobi College, founded 1969; California State University, Los Angeles, American, founded 1947; The City College of the City University of New York, American, founded 1847; St. Petersburg College, American, founded 1927; Clark Atlanta University, American, founded 1988; Morehouse College, American, founded 1867
Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film;
Dimensions: Duration: 30 Minutes; Length (Film): 1190 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: East Palo Alto, San Mateo County, California, United States, North and Central America; Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America; Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, United States, North and Central America; New York City, Harlem, New York, United States, North and Central America; Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced by his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.
Description: 16mm color film directed by St. Clair Bourne and produced his production company, Chamba Productions, for the College Entrance Examination Board. The film provides various perspectives on the college experience and presents resources to encourage minority youth to attend college.; Consists of: 16mm Film (a).; 2012.79.1.54.2a: 16mm film. Film begins with an introduction animated segment of a young black man walking down a city sidewalk and then entering a doorway with the word College written over it. A musical soundtrack accompanies the animation. He walks down the hallway past doors and a trophy case while the voiceover narration begins. The narration focuses on thinking about how to get started on applying for college. The animation sequence depicts the prospective student collecting paperwork and talking to the appropriate people to take to the door with a college sign next to it. The animated introduction ends and the film transitions to live action and the title of the film. A man runs out of a storefront across a parking lot to his car. The next scene shows a professor leading a class discussion in a classroom. Then there is an exterior shot of Nairobi College and the man from earlier in the film running in the front door. The college is located in a small house. The narrator introduces the college and the man joins the classroom conversation. The narrator introduces Nate Perry, the man that has been in the film, and he talks about enrolling in Nairobi College. The narrator explains that the purpose of the college is to teach leaders for non-white communities and break down the separation of the college and the community by holding classes in different locations. The next scene shows the Nairobi College Cultural Center and students playing music and dancing. The next subject of the film is California State College (California State University) in Los Angeles. The narrator discusses the importance of the college for the Mexican American community. There is a shot of the front door of College Recruitment for Educational Opportunity (CREO). The door also has a sign for Community Relations for Educational Opportunity (also CREO). People are shown walking into the office and talking to someone in the office and he answers questions about gaining admission to college. A man is shown talking outside and a group discussion ensues about confronting the power structure. An inside classroom discussion also shows students talking about similar problems as those in the outside discussion. The next scene shows New York City and the narrator begins talking about City College of New York in Harlem and the importance of providing both financial assistance as well as special counseling and tutoring. However, the narrator points out that black and Puerto Rican students demanded an open admissions policy. A group of students is shown discussing education issues and going back to the community to work and raise awareness. The narrator introduces Megan McLaughlin, and she describes through a voiceover narration the Search for Elevation, Education, and Knowledge (SEEK) Program. She is shown walking on sidewalks during the voiceover narration. The next scene features St. Petersburg College, and the narrator discusses attending a junior college before attending a four-year institution. Students share their experiences and how students can benefit from attending a junior college. The smaller classes are beneficial and the opportunity to balance home life with attending college are among those benefits. The scene is filmed inside of a moving car while Don Gekkins, director of the Service Center Program, talks about how the program works. The next scene shows him entering a classroom where children are reciting words displayed on cards held by a tutor from the junior college. Don Gekkins is then shown leaving his house with his two sons and playing with them. Gekkins, in a voiceover narration, describes growing up in a depressed area of St. Petersburg. The next scene shows a college marching band leading a parade down a street. The narrator discusses this parade in the context of a four-year university and the distractions of a four-year university, particularly sports events. The university being discussed appears to be Howard University in Washington, D.C. After footage of cheerleaders and a football game, a football player is interviewed about attending college on a scholarship. After the interview, there is footage of a football practice. The next scene includes an interview with Tom Nelson, a college graduate and ex-professional football player. The next scene shows two men picking up trash on the sidewalk, then some other men performing municipal trash service. There is footage of a college campus, probably Clark University in Atlanta, while the narrator discusses the main reasons for attending college. The next scene shows a woman walking on a sidewalk and into a building while the narrator begins a discussion about financial aid. The woman enters an office and talks to a financial aid officer while the narrator discusses the difference between types of financial aid. The next scene shows a student from Nigeria at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and he discusses studying science to bring back knowledge to Nigeria. The film ends with the narrator presenting a summary of what has been discussed, and there is a montage of images from the entire film.

Topic: African American; Dance; Education; Football; Urban life

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

Object number: 2012.79.1.54.2a

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Purple Atlanta Braves baseball cap owned by Big Boi

Manufactured by: New Era Cap Company, founded 1920
Owned by: Big Boi, American, born 1975
Subject of: Atlanta Braves, American, founded 1871

Medium: polyester, rayon thread, and adhesive on foil
Dimensions: H x W x D: 5 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (14 × 21.6 × 26.7 cm)

Type: baseball caps

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2013

Description: A limited release design New Era Cap Company fitted baseball cap with the Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves logo owned by Big Boi. The cap is purple with a rainbow-colored embroidered "A" at the center front crown, matching the album cover for Big Boi's solo release, "Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors" (2013). The New Era logo is embroidered on the proper left side and the Major League Baseball logo is embroidered on the center back, both in the same colors as the "A". The interior of the crown is lined with a multi-colored shiny fabric, with each seam covered in black woven tape featuring repeating white printed text reading "59FIFTY NE NEW / ERA". There are four (4) tags on the interior center back of the cap. At the far left is a tag with the Major League Baseball logo and the text "GENUINE / MERCHANDISE". At the center is a brand tag reading "NEW / ERA / FLY YOUR OWN FLAG". At the far right is a size "7 1/2" tag. Below the center brand tag is an additional tag with fiber content, care, and manufacturer information. There are two (2) holographic stickers on the brim of the cap. On the top side is a gold and black sticker reading "NEW ERA / 59FIFTY / 7 1/2". On the bottom side is a silver sticker with red marks made to look like a baseball and text reading "OFFICIAL / MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL / LR358006037".

Topic: African American; Baseball; Clothing and dress; Fashion; Hip hop (Music); Musicians

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

Object number: 2016.121.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hat designed by Lillian Head

Created by: Head, Lillian, American, 1921 - 2010
Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium: felt, vinyl, plastic, and elastic
Dimensions: H x W x D: 12 3/4 × 12 3/4 × 5 1/4 in. (32.4 × 32.4 × 13.3 cm)

Type: hats

Place made: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1967 - 1968

Description: A blue and cream hat designed to resemble the Polaris restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The hat has a round crown made of bright blue felted faux fur that is heavily machine-stitched in a grid pattern with cream thread. The hat has double rounded brims, both made of a cream felt faux fur. In between the double brims, forming a circle all the way around the hat, is a length of clear plastic. The plastic is stitched with black thread to make a grid pattern. The top edge of the plastic is tacked to the upper side of the bottom brim in two places using cream thread, but the stitching has come loose. The bottom edge of the plastic is hand-sewn to the upper side of the bottom brim using cream thread. The underside of the bottom brim has two details that provide additional structure to the hat, one rolled piece of cream felt halfway between the crown and the brim edge, and another rolled piece of cream felt at the crown. Around the interior opening of the crown, a length of blue grossgrain ribbon edged with a length of cream lace is sewn. Black elastic cord is attached to the blue ribbon on the proper right and proper left sides, and two (2) brown plastic hair combs are woven through this elastic cord.

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

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number: 2007.3.3.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Handbag designed by Lillian Head

Created by: Head, Lillian, American, 1921 - 2010
Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium: leather, plastic, velvet and metal
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 1/4 × 7 × 6 1/2 in. (26 × 17.8 × 16.5 cm); Circumference: 20 in. (50.8 cm); L (With cords fully extended): 21 1/4 in. (54 cm)

Type: handbags

Place made: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1967 - 1968

Description: A leather and plastic handbag designed to resemble the elevators in the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. The handbag is cylindrical, with tapered ends. The main body of the handbag is clear, made from one piece of plastic that is stapled at its seam and secured into place by being stitched and glued to eight (8) reddish-brown leather straps extending the full length of the handbag, from the base to the top opening. The top and bottom portions of the handbag are constructed from reddish-brown leather overlaid onto a form. At the top of the handbag, all eight (8) leather straps taper upwards to form a cinch closure that can be pulled shut by tightening two cords that are looped through the leather straps and knotted together on the ends. The cords are made from a brown synthetic fiber and capped with metal end caps. When fully tightened, the cords extend from the leather straps by approximately 9 inches, which can be grasped to carry the handbag. Underneath the leather straps and cords is the opening into the central body of the handbag. The opening is covered by a hinged flap that is glued to one side of the opening and can be secured on the other side with a snap. At the bottom of the handbag, all eight (8) leather straps continue extending downwards to be concealed under a circular band of leather stitched and glued to the base. This small circular base creates a foot on which the handbag can be rested. All of the interior leather portions of the handbag are lined with a deep red velvet, covering the interior base and the verso of the flap that covers the opening.

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

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number: 2007.3.3.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Black Fashion Museum Collection
Classification: Clothing-Fashion

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sharecropper's agreement between Daniel Weaver and James Crow

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Weaver, Daniel; Crow, James, American, born 1847

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 12 5/16 x 7 13/16 in. (31.3 x 19.8 cm)

Type: contracts

Place made: Lumpkin County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: March 11, 1867

Description: A one page document, legal-size, handwritten in black ink on lined paper.

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Emancipation; Labor; Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877)

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

Object number: 2009.14.6

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Identification button used by Thomas Porter II

Manufactured by: I. Nutting & Son, British, ca.1805 - 1840
Used by: Porter, Thomas II, British, 1790 - 1857

Medium: pewter
Dimensions: Diameter: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm), 3.9Grams

Type: buttons (fasteners); buttons (information artifacts)

Place collected: Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Place used: Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana, South America

Date: ca. 1820

Description: A round pewter button with "TPORTER" stamped across the middle. This button would have been sewn onto an enslaved person's shirt to identify him or her as belonging to Thomas Porter II. On the reverse side of the button there are fine concentric circle impressions within a pronounced rim as well as a stamp which is now illegible. There is also evidence of a parting line for a two-part mold on the reverse of the button. The button has considerable wear with pitting on both sides.

Topic: African American; Middle Passage

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

Object number: 2009.32.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Identification button used by Thomas Porter II

Manufactured by: I. Nutting & Son, British, ca.1805 - 1840
Used by: Porter, Thomas II, British, 1790 - 1857

Medium: pewter
Dimensions: Diameter: 13/16 in. (2.1 cm), 3.2Grams

Type: buttons (fasteners); buttons (information artifacts)

Place collected: Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Place used: Demerara-Mahaica, Guyana, South America

Date: ca. 1820

Description: A round pewter button with "TPORTER" stamped across the middle. This button would have been sewn onto an enslaved person's shirt to identify him or her as belonging to Thomas Porter II. On the reverse side of the button there is a pronounced concavity which may have occurred after fabrication. The button has considerable wear with pitting on both sides.

Topic: African American; Middle Passage

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

Object number: 2009.32.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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