African Americans have played a vital role in the history of
Greater Cincinnati. Their struggles for freedom, equality, justice,
opportunity and recognition have taken place and continue to take
place in our streets, homes, churches, schools, governments and
workplaces. African Americans are woven into every fabric of Cincinnati’s
rich historical tapestry; however, their part in our region’s
history is seldom told or heard. The Guide to 20th Century African
American Resources at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library
is a preliminary research tool to help uncover the important part
played by African Americans in Greater Cincinnati’s history.
The Guide covers selected 20th century resources
held by the Cincinnati Historical Society Library dealing with African
Americans in the Greater Cincinnati area. Included are many books,
periodicals, theses, photographs, manuscript collections and historical
objects. For complete holdings, researchers should visit the Library
and consult the online
and card catalogs for additional items. The Library’s collections
contain more resources on African Americans than was practical to
incorporate here. For example, the Library has extensive holdings
regarding African Americans in 19th century Cincinnati
and also has materials that discuss African American issues
on the state or national level.
The Guide is organized by subject
categories, such as education, housing, and sports. Within these
categories, the Guide provides basic information about
numerous individuals and institutions in brief sketches and then
goes on to list resources available for further research. Links
to the Library's online catalog records give specific information
about the resources. Some of the resources overlap subject areas
and may be found in more than one category.
The alphabetical
index will assist in quickly finding a specific name, organization,
or place, while the
chronological index will direct the reseacher to resources from
a particular year or span of years. The researcher will note that
some of the resources predate the 20th century.
These have been included, however, if their information also
covers the early 1900s.
Researchers are encouraged to consult the sources listed in this
Guide to learn more about a particular person or topic. Access
to these resources is available through the Cincinnati
Historical Society Library.
High school
and college students will find this Guide an excellent
place to begin their quest for knowledge about Greater Cincinnati's
African American history. The Guide will also assist general
researchers working on a variety of historical projects.
By
their use of these texts and images, users agree to the following
conditions:
1. These texts and images may not be reproduced or redistributed
without the written permission of the Cincinnati Historical Society
Library, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. This restriction
applies to all reproduction or redistribution for public or commercial
use. Permission to publish must be requested in writing.
2. Individual images may be protected by copyright. Users who contemplate
reproducing these materials should make an additional effort to
determine ownership.
Because the Guide is a web-based product, it is designed
to be updated on a regular basis. Researchers are encouraged to
check back often for additional entries and information. This
web site was last updated on February 9, 2004.
The Cincinnati Historical Society Library welcomes new donations
of materials related to the African American community in the Greater
Cincinnati area. If you are interested in making a donation, please
contact one of our staff members:
Barbara
Dawson (513-287-7098) - books, magazines, newspapers, maps Linda Bailey
(513-287-7094) - photographs Scott
Gampfer (513-287-7084) - videos, audiotapes David
Conzett (513-287-7063) - objects, art work Anne Kling
(513-287-7070) - family papers, organizational records
This Guide
was made possible by a generous grant from the KnowledgeWorks
Foundation, whose vision and mission is to further “universal
access to educational opportunities for individuals to achieve success
and for the betterment of society” and “increase the
number of people who value and access education by removing barriers
to educational opportunity.” Grant support for projects such
as this Guide is one way the Foundation carries out its
mission.
This Guide has been created through the work of many
dedicated people at the Cincinnati Historical Society Library, Cincinnati
Museum Center at Union Terminal. They include:
John Fleming, Vice President of Museums Scott Gampfer, Director of History Collections
and Preservation Coordinator Maggie Heran, Archives Manager (2001-Aug. 2003)
Anne Kling, Archives Manager (Sept. 2003-present)
Ruby Rogers, Director of the Cincinnati Historical
Society Library and Community History Barbara Dawson, Librarian and Printed Works Curator
Linda Bailey, Reference Librarian and Photograph
Curator Tina Bamert, Library Assistant David Conzett, Curator of History Objects Laura Chace, Curator of Rare Books Anne Shepherd, Reference Librarian Kevin Freitag, Volunteer Mary Jane Neely, Volunteer Mary Ellen Wittekind, Volunteer Karl Hauck, Volunteer Peggy Bley, Volunter John Luebering, Volunteer Barbara Rizzi, Volunteer Ursula Umberg, Volunteer