Items

• James E. Adams's Business Card
  .James E. Adams was the first President of the Philadelphia Clef Club when it was formed in 1966. The Clef Club was founded as a social club within the Musicians’ Protective Union Local 274, American Federation of Musicians (AFM), of which Adams was also the President.
• Letter, John Hassett to 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 Goods,1962).
• 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 Marian Anderson, 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 10, of Lehigh, Iowa, sent a birthday card and brief letter 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 Marian Anderson, May 16,1971
  Thirteen-year-old Dutch Barhydt wrote to Anderson that he is a dedicated autograph collector. His objective is collecting original signatures from famous and influential people, including presidents and prime ministers. The teenager successfully acquired Miss Anderson’s signature.
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School charter and certificate of incorporation
  This charter and certificate of incorporation legitimized the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School in Philadelphia on April 10, 1896. The charter includes the hospital and school’s purpose, leadership, and articles and conditions. The Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School was a Black owned and operated institution existing to serve the Black community (National Library of Medicine, n.d.).
• Reducing and Body Building, Don Blackman, Physical Culture Studios
  This leaflet serves as an advertisement for Don Blackman's exercise studio.
• [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.
• Dra Mu, Carmen (photograph)
  This is a photograph of the Dra-Mu Opera Company Orchestra at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia taken in 1947.
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School Plaque
  The plaque hung outstide the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hospital and Training School from 1895-1909.
• 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.
• The Griot Press, premiere issue (May 1992)
  The Griot Press was a minority owned and published lesbian and gay magazine.
• 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
• 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.
• Mrs. M. S. Patterson annual event news clipping
  News clipping about dance recital, "The Unveiling of Spring". Mary Emma Saunders Patterson (1872 - 1950) was known beyond Philadelphia's church circles and musical societies. Patterson had cultivated a reputation for nurturing young voices with precision and discipline.