Items

• Letter, John Hassett to Miss Marian Anderson, December 31, 1957
  Little is known about John Hassett, the person. The letter was written on proprietor’s stationery for a South Norwalk, Connecticut retail shop specializing in religious goods, greeting cards, novelties, and gift wrapping (HASSETT’S Religious Goods1962).
• Letter, Kathleen Brown to Miss Fisher, November 26, 1954
  A two-page, handwritten letter from music student Kathleen Brown to globally renowned contralto Marian Anderson Fisher (1897-1993). In the letter, Brown describes financial constraints in paying for her tuition at Juilliard School of Music. She asks for Marian Anderson to write a letter to the radio game show “Strike It Rich.”
• Letter, Jane Frink to Miss Marian, September 9, 1974
  Hoosier Jane Frink was an avid singer in high school and college. She garnered numerous awards and medals, according to print media accounts (The Terre Haute Tribune 1974), (The Terre Haute Tribune 1976). She married in 1981, though it was uncertain as to whether her vocal career blossomed (Frink n.d.).
• Letter, Mary Helen Stanek to Marian Anderson, February 21, 1952
  Mary Helen Stanek, age 71 was never married but was a lifelong cat lover (Mary Helen Stanek Obit 1941 ). The birthday card and brief letter was from Mary age 10, of Lehigh, Iowa, to Marian Anderson, dated February 21, 1952. Stanek writes to wish Anderson “years and years of happiness” upon discovering they share the same birthday, February 27th.
• Letter, Dutch Barhydt to Miss Anderson, May 16,1971
  Dutch’s (b. 1958) letter implies that he is a dedicated collector. For a 13 year old (U.S., City Directories: Dirck Barhydt Jr, n.d.), his objective is collecting original signatures from famous and influential people, including presidents and prime ministers. The teenager successfully acquired Miss Anderson’s signature.
• [Dinner at the Myers home in Levittown]
  This item is a black and white glossy photograph of William and Daisy Myers having dinner in their Levittown home. The couple are dressed in casual attire as William sits at the table while Daisy pours him coffee. When Levittown was first created the housing agreements included racist policies barring people of color from living in the community. The Myers became the first Black family to move into the 15,000 home all-White Levittown community in Bristol Township. They moved out of the integrated housing community of Bloomsdale to 43 Deepgreen Lane in Levittown, PA in August 1957.
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School Plaque
  The plaque hung outstide the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School from 1895-1909.
• Handwritten Stoutsburg Cemetery Ledger
  This handwritten ledger was kept by Herbert Albert Hubbard (June 7, 1875-July 11, 1948), Beverly Mills's (co-founder of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum) great-grandfather, at the Stoutsburg Cemetery. It includes minutes from Stoutsburg Cemetery Association meetings, including hymns sung and fundraising efforts, from 1912 through the 1920s.
• Standing Victrola
  Originally belonged to the Smith brothers (Alfonso, Clarence, Raymond, and Leon), who were born in Neshanic Station to Joseph Smith Jr. and Cora Smith of Pennington. The brothers pooled their money to purchase the Victrola for their family's enjoyment.
• Billy Truehart milkbox
  "Billy Truehart's milk box," early 20th century. Handmade wooden box with metal letters on three sliding lids and nail heads within each compartment. Made by William "Billy" Truehart, grandson of Friday Truehart, while working as a handyman for the Blackwell family in Trenton, NJ.
• Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (structure)
  Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1899
• Mrs. M. S. Patterson annual event news clipping
  News clipping about dance recital, "The Unveiling of Spring". Mary Emma Saunders (1872 - 1950) was not widely known beyond Philadelphia's church circles and musical societies. Mrs. Mary Saunders Patterson had cultivated a reputation for nurturing young voices with precision and discipline.