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  • Letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass to Brown's wife and children

    Letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass to Brown's wife and children

    Written by
    Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
    Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859
    Received by
    Brown, Mary Ann, American, 1817 - 1884
    Medium
    ink on paper
    Dimensions
    H x W: 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.1 x 20 cm)
    Type
    letters (correspondence)
    Place made
    Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    January 30, 1858
    Description
    A letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass from Rochester, New York, on January 30, 1858, to Brown's wife and children. The letter is handwritten in black ink on the front and back sides of a single sheet of paper. The letter is first written by Brown, who does not sign his portion beyond "Your Affectionate Husband and Father." Brown writes of missing his wife and children very much, but of not being able to visit them. He also asks his daughter Ruth about her husband, Henry Thompson, becoming involved in Brown's "school," coded language for Brown's militant abolitionist dealings. He further speaks of recruiting his sons for his work and requests that the family write to him under the name "N. Hawkins: Care of Fred'k Douglas [sic] Esq'r Rochester N[.] Y." Douglass writes on the lower half of the verso page with his words oriented three different directions to fit the page. He speaks of his friendship with the Brown family and invites any of them to his home, where John Brown is staying, signing as "Fred. Douglass."
    Transcription Center Status
    Transcribed by digital volunteers
    Topic
    African American
    Antislavery
    Correspondence
    Domestic life
    Fatherhood
    Government
    Resistance
    Slavery
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2009.26.3
    Restrictions & Rights
    Public Domain
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Documents and Published Materials
    Slavery and Freedom Objects
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture

  • Program for the Seventh Province Annual Field Days in Monroe County, New York

    Printed by
    Unidentified
    Subject of
    Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
    Medium
    ink on paper
    Dimensions
    H x W: 8 7/16 × 5 1/2 in. (21.5 × 14 cm)
    Type
    programs
    Place used
    Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    ca. 1925
    Description
    A program printed on white paper with black ink. The program is made up of a folded piece of paper making four pages including the front and back pages. Printed at the top of the front page is "Seventh Province Annual Field Days Monroe Kounty." Song lyrics are printed on the rest of the program. Included songs are America, Star-Spangled Banner, Nearer My God to Thee, Onward Valiant Klansmen, Bright Fiery Cross, The Mystic City, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Rock of Ages, Our Mothers of Liberty.
    Topic
    African American
    Fraternal organizations
    Music
    United States--History--1919-1933
    White supremacy movements
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Anonymous Gift
    Object number
    2013.231.12
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Documents and Published Materials
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Marriage certificate with tintypes of Augustus L. Johnson and Malinda Murphy

    Marriage certificate with tintypes of Augustus L. Johnson and Malinda Murphy

    Photograph by
    Unidentified
    Printed by
    Prang, Louis, Prussian, 1824 - 1909
    Signed by
    Cole, Abraham
    Subject of
    Johnson, Augustus L., American, born ca. 1846
    Murphy, Malinda, American, born ca. 1846
    Medium
    ink on paper, collodion and silver on iron with lacquer
    Dimensions
    H x W: 11 1/4 × 9 1/4 in. (28.6 × 23.5 cm)
    Type
    tintypes
    portraits
    marriage certificates
    Place used
    Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    July 9, 1874
    Description
    This marriage certificate includes tintype portraits of the betrothed, Augustus Johnson and Malinda Murphy. The couple were married on July 9, 1874. The certificate, printed by Louis Prang, has an ornamental design that includes decorative lettering and framing. An illustrated man and a woman sit on the proper right and left sides of the certificate, respectively, and each of them holds a wreath and torch.The proper right side of the certificate contains the tintype of Augustus Johnson and the proper left side contains that of Malinda Murphy. Johnson’s portrait shows him looking off to the side in 2/3 profile view. He has a beard, and he is dressed in a white shirt and dark coat. Murphy’s portrait shows her facing the camera but looking off to the proper left. She wears a dark dress with a white, ruffled collar and a white bow. Her hair is a in a braided coif and she wears dangling earrings and a tasseled necklace. Pre-printed and handwritten ink text on the certificate reads: “Marriage Certificate / Mr. Augustus Johnson and Miss Malinda Murphy / Were this ninth 9th day of July 1874 legally joined by me in / MATRIMONY / In presence of Charles Bannister [and] Joanna Murphy to which I hereby / Certify Abraham Cole.”
    The tintypes are secured to the reverse of the paper with masking tape and scotch tape. Adhesive residue is evident around the photographs indicating an older, failed attachment method. Illegible text is written in pencil oriented vertically at the top left, left center edge, and left side below the tintype. Additional pencil in the lower right written vertically reads "9 X 11 1/4". Handwritten ink text in the lower right reads "Dec. 17th 1874 / Sir / Snowing / Winds blowing / Augustus Johnson / Spencerport, NY / Monroe Co".
    Topic
    African American
    Families
    Photography
    United States--Social life and customs
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Louis Moran and Douglas Van Dine
    Object number
    2016.58
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Media Arts-Photography
    Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Portrait of a woman in graduation attire

    Portrait of a woman in graduation attire

    Photograph by
    Scurlock, Addison N., American, 1883 - 1964
    Subject of
    Unidentified Woman or Women
    Medium
    photographic gelatin and silver on paper
    Dimensions
    H x W (image and sheet): 9 7/16 × 4 7/16 in. (24 × 11.3 cm)
    Type
    photographs
    portraits
    Place depicted
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
    Place collected
    Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1900s - 1910s
    Description
    Black and white portrait of a woman in graduation attire. The woman is standing with the left side of her body faceing the camera and is wearing a graduation cap and gown. Her high neck lace blouse is visible above the collar. The words [SCURLOCK / WASH D.] are written in the bottom right corner. There are no inscriptions on the back.
    Topic
    African American
    Education
    Photography
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Jennifer Cain Bohrnstedt
    Object number
    TA2015.143.6.3
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Media Arts-Photography
    Archival Collections
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Badge from the National Convention of Madam C. J. Walker's Agents

    Badge from the National Convention of Madam C. J. Walker's Agents

    Manufactured by
    Bastian Brothers Company, American, founded 1895
    Subject of
    Walker, Madam C.J., American, 1867 - 1919
    Walker, Madam C.J. Manufacturing Company, American, founded 1906
    Medium
    metal and ribbon
    Dimensions
    H x W: 9 1/4 x 2 5/16 x 5/8 in. (23.5 x 5.9 x 1.6 cm)
    Type
    badges
    Place made
    Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Place used
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1917
    Description
    A badge from the National Convention of Madam C. J. Walker's Agents. The badge consists of a pendant and two ribbons hanging from a gold-colored metal bar. The bar at the top has a pin back, and the front features a smooth empty rectangular field with a scrolled border. A circular pendant is connected to the bar via two short chains, one from each corner. The pendant features a circular black & white photographic portrait of Madam C. J. Walker set in a gold-colored metal frame edged with a scrolling design. The ribbon on the front of the badge is yellow with black text at the bottom that reads "NATIONAL / CONVENTION / OF / MADAM / C.J. WALKER'S / AGENTS." The ribbon on the back is black with metallic silver text at the bottom that reads "NATIONAL / CONVENTION / OF / MADAM / C.J. WALKER'S / AGENTS" The ribbons are connected at the bottom via a strip of woven metal wire from which hang coiled metallic fringe. Fastened between the two ribbons is a white manufacturer's tag with black letters. It reads "Bastian Brothers Co./ Novelties That Advertise/ Badges Buttons Signs/ Main Office and Factory/ Rochester, N.Y. U.S.A."
    Topic
    African American
    Business
    Women
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of A'Lelia Bundles / Madam Walker Family Archives
    Object number
    2013.153.2.1
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Memorabilia and Ephemera
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • The North Star, Volume 1, Number 22

    The North Star, Volume 1, Number 22

    Created by
    The North Star, American, 1847 - 1859
    Edited by
    Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
    Published by
    Nell, William Cooper, American, 1816 - 1874
    Edited by
    Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885
    Written by
    Mott, Lucretia, American, 1793 - 1880
    Printed by
    Dick, John, British
    Medium
    ink on paper
    Dimensions
    H x W (Folded): 25 × 18 1/4 in. (63.5 × 46.4 cm)
    H x W (Open): 24 13/16 × 36 5/16 in. (63 × 92.3 cm)
    Type
    newspapers
    Place printed
    Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    May 26, 1848
    Description
    The May 26, 1848 issue of the North Star, Volume 1, Number 22. The newspaper is one large sheet of paper that has been folded in half to create a four page spread. Each page is divided into seven columns of black text. On the front page mast head, large black text states [The North Star.] In the row below, the text on the far left reads [FREDERICK DOUGLASS / MR. DELANY, / EDITORS]. In the center, the text of the newspapers slogan reads, [RIGHT IS OF NO SEX - TRUTH IS OF NO COLOR- GOD IS THE FATHER OF US ALL, AND ALL WE ARE BROTHREN] The text on the right of the heading states, [WILLIAM C. NELL, PUBLISHER / JOHN DICK, PRINTER]. The third row has the printed text, [VOL I. NO. 22. / ROCHESTER, N.Y., FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1848. / WHOLE NO. - 22.]. Included on the second page in the second panel is the speech of Lucretia Mott at the American Anti-Slavery Society.
    Topic
    African American
    Antislavery
    Communities
    Free communities of color
    Freedom
    Mass media
    Social reform
    United States--History--1815-1861
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2017.36.5
    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
  • The North Star, Vol. I No. 37

    The North Star, Vol. I No. 37

    Created by
    The North Star, American, 1847 - 1859
    Edited by
    Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
    Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885
    Published by
    Dick, John, British
    Medium
    ink on newsprint
    Dimensions
    H x W (folded): 13 3/16 × 18 1/2 in. (33.5 × 47 cm)
    Type
    newspapers
    Place printed
    Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    September 8, 1848
    Description
    The September 8, 1848 issue of the North Star, an antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass. The paper is printed with black text on yellowed newsprint. The masthead reads [THE NORTH STAR. / RIGHT IS OF NO SEX-TRUTH IS OF NO COLOR-GOD IS THE FATHER OF US ALL, AND ALL WE ARE BRETHREN. / ROCHESTER, N. Y., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1848.] On the left side of the masthead is [FREDERICK DOUGLASS, / M. R. DELANY, / EDITORS / VOL. 1. NO. 37.] Printed on the right side of the masthead is [JOHN DICK, PUBLISHER / WHOLE NO.-37.]. The main text is organized into seven columns of small print. At the top of the column on the far left, above the publisher's notices and list of agents, is printed: [The object of the NORTH STAR will be to attack SLAVERY in all its forms and aspects; advocate UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION; exalt the standard of PUBLIC MORALITY; promote the moral and intellectual improvement of the COLORED PEOPLE; and hasten the day of FREEDOM to the THREE MILLIONS of our ENSLAVED FELLOW COUNTRYMEN.] This issue contains several anti-slavery essays and letters, including a letter from Douglass to his previous enslaver Thomas Auld, titled [To My Old Master], as well as a critique of the Liberian colonization movement, news of the rebellion in Ireland, poetry, notices of anti-slavery society meetings around the region, and general advertisements.
    Topic
    African American
    Antislavery
    Communities
    Free communities of color
    Freedom
    Fugitive enslaved
    International affairs
    Mass media
    Self-liberation
    Social reform
    United States--History--1815-1861
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2014.151.3
    Restrictions & Rights
    No Known Copyright Restrictions
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    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
    Classification
    Slavery and Freedom Objects
    Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
    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
  • Frederick Douglass' Paper

    Frederick Douglass' Paper

    Published by
    Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
    Medium
    ink on paper
    Dimensions
    H x W (open): 26 1/2 × 38 in. (67.3 × 96.5 cm)
    H x W (closed): 26 1/2 × 19 1/8 in. (67.3 × 48.5 cm)
    Type
    newspapers
    Place printed
    Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    July 28, 1854
    Description
    The July 28, 1854 issue of Frederick Douglass' Paper, a Rochester-based weekly newspaper published and edited by Frederick Douglass that centered on antislavery efforts and other social reform causes. The title [Frederick Douglass' Paper] is printed in large text across the top, just underneath the title are the issue details printed between two horizontal black lines: [Vol. VII, No. 32, ROCHESTER, N.Y. FRIDAY JULY 28, 1854., Whole Number 344]. The text of the paper is densely concentrated in seven vertical columns and there is both a vertical and horizontal crease through the center. An inscription of the name [Stephen Reeves] is written in black ink at the top right corner of the front page. The last page contains a large advertisement: "Call for a National Emigration Convention of Colored Men to be held in Cleveland Ohio" and is signed in print by Martin R. Delany.
    Transcription Center Status
    Transcribed by digital volunteers
    Topic
    African American
    Antislavery
    Education
    Fugitive enslaved
    International affairs
    Mass media
    Self-liberation
    Social reform
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
    Object number
    2014.63.10
    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-Published Works
    Data Source
    National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Photograph of Kappa Alpha Psi members

    Photograph of Kappa Alpha Psi members

    Photograph by
    Dexheimer-Carlon Studios, American
    Subject of
    Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1911
    Diggs, Elder Watson, American, 1883 - 1947
    Armstrong, Irven, American, born 1892
    Mann, Theophilus M., American, 1902 - 1975
    Spurlock, Albert, American, born 1914
    Stewart, John L., American
    Owned by
    Stewart, John L., American
    Medium
    silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
    Dimensions
    H x W (image): 7 5/16 × 9 3/16 in. (18.5 × 23.4 cm)
    H x W (sheet): 7 7/8 × 10 in. (20 × 25.4 cm)
    Type
    photographs
    Place depicted
    Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America
    Date
    1937-1938
    Description
    This black and white photograph depicts members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in front of the Alpha Chapter house during the North Central Province regional meeting. Arranged in three rows, the first row primarily sits along a low brick wall in front of the building. Only five men stand, located in the center of the row. The second and third row of men stand behind them. The men wear suits in a variety of styles. Each man has a rectangular ribbon on his left lapel. They stand in front of a brick building with a covered entrance porch, in front of which is a sign that reads "K A " and has a diamond shaped crest over the last letter.
    Kappa Alpha Psi founder and 1st Grand Polemarch Elder Watson Diggs is in the front row center, with his arms crossed. Directly behind him is John L. Stewart. Other prominent Kappa officials pictured standing beside Elder Watson Diggs from left to right are: 4th Grand Polemarch W. Ellis Stewart, 2nd Grand Polemarch Irven Armstrong, 9th Grand Polemarch Theophilus Mann, and to Diggs’ right North Central Province Polemarch Julius Morgan standing and Grand Strategus Albert Spurlock seated.
    A typed label on pink paper that was matted with the photograph reads [ALPHA CHAPTER, KAPPA ALPHA PSI / FRATERNITY HOST TO REGIONAL MEETING / INDIANA UNIVERSITY].
    Topic
    African American
    Communities
    Education
    Fraternities
    Men
    Credit Line
    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Calvin M. Reaves, Polemarch (2012-2019), Smithfield (NC) Alumni Chapter, Middle Eastern Province
    Object number
    2018.61
    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