Items

• A Souvenir of Germantown Issued during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation At Philadelphia, Pa., September, 1913
  The Souvenir is a historically significant photo booklet created and produced by J. Gordon Baugh Jr., a Black printer and civic leader based in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA.
• Letter, Rebecca Johnson to Miss Anderson, May 19, 1945
  This letter was sent by Miss Rebecca Mary Johnson (July 10, 1905-October 4, 1991) to Miss Marian Anderson (February 27, 1897-April 8, 1993) on May 19, 1945. This letter was sent to share details about “a project for… intercultural advancement” that will feature famous Black Americans, like Marian Anderson (p. 1). Johnson asks Anderson questions about herself to be used in the exhibit for the benefit of the Springfield, Massachusetts community and youth.
• Correspondence for James E. Adams
  This letter was sent to the Meet The Composter/New Residencies group at 2112 Broadway, Suite 505 in New York City, NY by Artistic Manager and President of The Philadelphia Clef Club of the Performing Arts, Inc. James E. Adams on October 15, 1992.
• American Federation of Musicians application
  This application for the American Federation of Musicians Local No. 274 was submitted by Byard Lancaster on March 5, 1966 and signed by secretary Frank T. Fairfax.
• [Dinner at the Myers home in Levittown]
  This item is a black and white photograph of William Myers (1922?-1987) and Daisy Myers (1925-2011) 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 family became the first Black family to move into the 15,000 home all-White Levittown community in Bristol Township, Bucks County. They to 43 Deepgreen Lane in Levittown in August 1957, having purchased the house from a Jewish couple.
• [Joe Louis on Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey]
  A black and white photograph taken by John W. Mosley (1907-1969). The photo features heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis (1914-1981) who sits in the center socializing with eight people on Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. From 1937 to 1949, Joe Louis reigned as the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He defended his title 25 times and was beaten only three times (Martha Louis 1991).
• Gloria Phillis, Butch Williams, and Cheryl Steele on Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey
  A black and white photograph taken by John W. Mosley. The image features five young Black people at the famous Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
• [Two women walking on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ]
  A black and white photograph taken by John W. Mosley. The image features two stylish Black women walking the boardwalk near Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The pair smile while sporting cat-eyed frame sunglasses. The Warren Theater–formerly the Warner Theater and currently The Hook–sits in the background.
• [People playing cards on the beach]
  A black and white photograph taken by John W. Mosley (1907-1969). The photo features four unidentified Black people playing cards at Chicken Bone Beach. In the background, beach goers socialize in beach chairs.
• [African-American women pose carrying beach supplies in Atlantic City.]
  A black and white photograph taken by John W. Mosley. The image features three stylish, unidentified Black women posing on the steps of the boardwalk near Chicken Bone Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Belongings in hand, two of the women smile directly towards the camera, while the other smiles while looking to the side.
• Paul Robeson with Christine Moore Howell and a child.
  Paul Robeson with Christine Moore Howell and a child, in front of William Moore’s furniture store on Spring Street.
• David's Rock program
  This three-page program is for a rock opera called “David’s Rock” directed, written, and choreographed by Claude A. Boyd from 1983. The program provides a synopsis of the opera, includes a complete list of the characters, musicians, production staff, special thanks, and list of future performances.
• Memorial collage of Jaci Adams photographs / typed biography of Jaci Adams
  This memorial collage of Jaci DuBoise Adams features eight overlapping color photographs– two of Adams alone smiling, and the remaining of Adams smiling in small groups of people. On the back of the frame is a biography of Adams’ life, highlighting her resilience, many accomplishments, and relentless leadership and advocacy for the Philadelphia trans community and HIV/AIDS issues.
• Council of the City of Philadelphia, Resolution Honoring the Rich Life and Loving Memory of Jaci Adams
  **Honoring Jaci Adams: A Legacy of Advocacy and Leadership** Jaci Adams (1956 - 2014) was a remarkable transwoman whose life embodied resilience and the "American Dream." Born in Beckley, WV., and raised in North Philadelphia, Adams overcame a history of abuse, addiction, and incarceration to become a fierce advocate for social justice, particularly for the trans community (Staff 2014).
• Tribute to Jaci Duboise Adams
  This tribute was written by City of Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter on March 21, 2014 to honor the life and legacy of Jaci DuBoise Adams, a leader, advocate, and educator in the Philadelphia LGBT community.
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The House of Representatives, Condolence Resolution
  Condolence resolution in honor of Jaci Adams (1956 - 2014). Jaci DuBoise Adams (1958-February 15, 2014) was born in Beckley, West Virginia and moved to Philadelphia in her youth with her family (AIDS Law Project 2014). Unfortunately Adams experienced such abuse that she “fled the house in search of safety” at age nine (AIDS Law Project 2014). Adams was “soon consumed by a life of prostitution, drug abuse and crime while searching for an identity” (AIDS Law Project 2014). She landed in prison, and earned her GED (AIDS Law Project 2014). In 2002 after the unsolved murder of Nizah Morris, a 47 year old transgender entertainer that was found brutally beaten at 15th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia, Adams shared that she had “an ‘a-ha’ moment and decided that instead of being angry, maybe a career criminal like [her] could use that familiarity with the cops to slither in and become part of the solution” (Morrison 2014). Known to be genuine, accomplished yet immensely humble, to speak and teach from her vast life experience, and incredibly kind, Adams was held in high regard by many– from city officials such as Michael Nutter, to long-time friends, to folks she just met and was lending support to (AIDS Law Project 2014).
• Moses Truehart and Eliza Truehart - charcoal drawing, framed (replaced tintype of Corinda) - 2' x 3'
  This charcoal drawing is of Moses Truehart and Eliza Truehart, a married couple with deep roots in the Sourland Mountain region of New Jersey.
• 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.
• Letter. Paul B. Moses to Violette de Mazia
  This correspondence from Paul Moses to Violette de Mazia on January 21, 1951 details an acceptance from Moses to begin teaching art appreciation for Lincoln University students at the Barnes Foundation.
• Georgine E. Upshur [Willis], 1943 University of Pennsylvania Graduation
  This photograph features Mrs. Georgine "Gene" Elizabeth (née Upshur) Willis posing for her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania in 1943.
• Mrs. Gene Upshur Willis news clippings
  This collection of news clippings are about Upshur family achievements, including: Georgine Upshur and a Y.W.C.A. baby contest, her Philadelphia High School for Girls graduation and coming out parties, and passing of the state mortician’s exam circa 1949.