A Timeline of Loss and Capture for Chicago’s Black Collections and Artworks
Published as a companion piece to the essay Don’t It Always Seem To Go: On the Loss and Capture of Black (re)Collections, this is a list of cultural collections, papers, and artworks that speak to the history and heritage of Black Chicago. It is organized in chronological order according to the date when the materials were donated, purchased, or acquired by the institution, or when the collection, artwork, or building was established, created, or built. Organizing them chronologically reveals things like periods when Chicago institutions were increasing and decreasing their acquisitions of Black archival materials and when significant moments of Black cultural production was happening. It also highlights moments of loss of Black Chicago culture, collections, and artworks throughout history as a way to show the vulnerability of our stories and the quiet and booming erasures and dislocations that take place over time.
Entries with an asterisk (*) next to them mean that those materials were donated by the person or family of the person who the materials are of and about. In brackets and when relevant, you will find my working notes that hint toward what can be found in that collection and some of the topics its contents are speaking to. You will also see notes of collections that are partially processed or unprocessed, meaning their accessibility might be limited depending on the holder’s policies around access to unprocessed materials.
The losses are indicated with bold and italics.
Entries with an asterisk (*) next to them mean that those materials were donated by the person or family of the person who the materials are of and about. In brackets and when relevant, you will find my working notes that hint toward what can be found in that collection and some of the topics its contents are speaking to. You will also see notes of collections that are partially processed or unprocessed, meaning their accessibility might be limited depending on the holder’s policies around access to unprocessed materials.
The losses are indicated with bold and italics.
1940 – 1979
1940
Archives of the South Side Community Art Center, 1938 – 2008 [visual art, culture]
1942
Chicago Afro-American Analytic Union Catalog Archives [WPA, libraries]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1942
Langston Hughes Papers [literature, memoir]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1942
Illinois Writers Project: “Negro in Illinois” Papers [literature]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1962
Wabash YMCA Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
1967
The Wall of Respect is painted by the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC)
43rd Street and Langley Avenue
1968
Black History Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
1971
Johnson Publishing Company Building, designed by John Warren Moutoussamy
820 S. Michigan Avenue
1971
The Wall of Respect is destroyed after a fire damages the building at 43rd Street and Langley Avenue.
1973
All of Mankind mural painted by William “Bill” Walker on the Stranger’s Home Missionary Baptist Church at 617 West Evergreen Avenue.
1973
Motley Family Photograph Collection, 1880 – 1949* [photography, visual art]
Chicago History Museum
1973
Claude A. Barnett Papers* [publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1974
Juanita Hall Papers [theater, music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1974
Chicago State College Oral History Research Program 1937 – 1974
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
1976
Chicago Jazz Archive [music]
University of Chicago Library
1978
Philip David Dang Collection [on abolition]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1979
Wally Amos Papers [culinary, acting, writing]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
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Archives of the South Side Community Art Center, 1938 – 2008 [visual art, culture]
1942
Chicago Afro-American Analytic Union Catalog Archives [WPA, libraries]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1942
Langston Hughes Papers [literature, memoir]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1942
Illinois Writers Project: “Negro in Illinois” Papers [literature]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1962
Wabash YMCA Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
1967
The Wall of Respect is painted by the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC)
43rd Street and Langley Avenue
1968
Black History Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
1971
Johnson Publishing Company Building, designed by John Warren Moutoussamy
820 S. Michigan Avenue
1971
The Wall of Respect is destroyed after a fire damages the building at 43rd Street and Langley Avenue.
1973
All of Mankind mural painted by William “Bill” Walker on the Stranger’s Home Missionary Baptist Church at 617 West Evergreen Avenue.
1973
Motley Family Photograph Collection, 1880 – 1949* [photography, visual art]
Chicago History Museum
1973
Claude A. Barnett Papers* [publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1974
Juanita Hall Papers [theater, music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1974
Chicago State College Oral History Research Program 1937 – 1974
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
1976
Chicago Jazz Archive [music]
University of Chicago Library
1978
Philip David Dang Collection [on abolition]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1979
Wally Amos Papers [culinary, acting, writing]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
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1980 – 1989
1980
Claude A. Barnett Broadsides Collection, c. 1930 – 1959* [events, advertising]
Chicago History Museum
1980
Charlemae Hill Rollins Papers [libraries, literature; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1981
Chicago Blues Archives [music, radio]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1981
Scotty Piper Photograph Collection, c. 1920 – 1969 [photography, music]
Chicago History Museum
1981
Ruth Montrose Papers [social work, women, music, theater; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1981/1990s
Ben Burns Papers [publishing, journalism, JPC]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1982
Publicity Photographs of Gospel Singers, c. 1950s*[music, photography]
Chicago History Museum
1982
Willa Saunders Jones Papers [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1982
Salsedo Press Poster Collection, c. 1970 – 1970* [print, design]
Chicago History Museum
1983
Jack L Cooper Photograph Collection, 1950 – 1970* [radio]
Chicago History Museum
1983
Center for Black Music Research, established by Dr. Samuel A. Floyd, Jr. [music]
Columbia College Chicago
1983
Horace R. Cayton Papers [sociology]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1983, 1989
Joseph W. Rollins, Sr. and Charlemae Rollins Collection, 1897-1989
DuSable Museum of African American History
1984 – 1986
Bethel New Life Records [West Side]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1985
Mahalia Jackson Photographs, 1962 – 1971* [music]
Chicago History Museum
1985
Willa Saunders Jones Papers* [theater, music, gospel]
Chicago History Museum
1986, 1988, 2003
Martin & Morris Music Company Papers [music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1987
Era Bell Thompson Papers [journalism, photojournalism, Ebony, Johnson Publishing Company; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1987/88
Harold Washington Archives & Collections; Mayoral Campaign Records
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1988
Kuumba Theatre Company Records [theater]*
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1988, 1992, 2000, 2002
Heritage Press Archives [publishing, literature, poetry; Audre Lorde, Ishmael Reed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1989
Chicago African American and Latino Newspapers Microfilm Collection
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1989
Frank Marshall Davis Collection, 1935 – 1987 [poetry, literature, novelist]
DuSable Museum of African American History
1989
The Chicago Reporter Records, 1972 – 1989*[publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1980s/1990s
The Ronald L. Fair Collection [novelist]
Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections at Northwestern University
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Claude A. Barnett Broadsides Collection, c. 1930 – 1959* [events, advertising]
Chicago History Museum
1980
Charlemae Hill Rollins Papers [libraries, literature; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1981
Chicago Blues Archives [music, radio]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1981
Scotty Piper Photograph Collection, c. 1920 – 1969 [photography, music]
Chicago History Museum
1981
Ruth Montrose Papers [social work, women, music, theater; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1981/1990s
Ben Burns Papers [publishing, journalism, JPC]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1982
Publicity Photographs of Gospel Singers, c. 1950s*[music, photography]
Chicago History Museum
1982
Willa Saunders Jones Papers [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1982
Salsedo Press Poster Collection, c. 1970 – 1970* [print, design]
Chicago History Museum
1983
Jack L Cooper Photograph Collection, 1950 – 1970* [radio]
Chicago History Museum
1983
Center for Black Music Research, established by Dr. Samuel A. Floyd, Jr. [music]
Columbia College Chicago
1983
Horace R. Cayton Papers [sociology]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1983, 1989
Joseph W. Rollins, Sr. and Charlemae Rollins Collection, 1897-1989
DuSable Museum of African American History
1984 – 1986
Bethel New Life Records [West Side]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1985
Mahalia Jackson Photographs, 1962 – 1971* [music]
Chicago History Museum
1985
Willa Saunders Jones Papers* [theater, music, gospel]
Chicago History Museum
1986, 1988, 2003
Martin & Morris Music Company Papers [music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1987
Era Bell Thompson Papers [journalism, photojournalism, Ebony, Johnson Publishing Company; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1987/88
Harold Washington Archives & Collections; Mayoral Campaign Records
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1988
Kuumba Theatre Company Records [theater]*
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1988, 1992, 2000, 2002
Heritage Press Archives [publishing, literature, poetry; Audre Lorde, Ishmael Reed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1989
Chicago African American and Latino Newspapers Microfilm Collection
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1989
Frank Marshall Davis Collection, 1935 – 1987 [poetry, literature, novelist]
DuSable Museum of African American History
1989
The Chicago Reporter Records, 1972 – 1989*[publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1980s/1990s
The Ronald L. Fair Collection [novelist]
Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections at Northwestern University
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1990 – 1999
1990/1993
Free Street Theater Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1991
Maceo Anderson Papers [television]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1991
ETA, Creative Arts Foundation Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
November 5, 1992, 1998
Grace Mason Papers / Franklyn Atkinson Henderson Photograph Collection [photography]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Eugene Winslow papers, 1885-1993 [design, illustration, cartoons, publishing]
University of Illinois at Chicago
1992
Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers [beauty, education, Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Colleges, Bud Billiken Parade, Chicago Defender Charities]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Carol Dworkin-Lems Papers [music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Edward Manney Papers [curatorial practice, libraries; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Don Moye / Art Ensemble of Chicago Papers [music, jazz; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Mildred Hatchell Papers [music, hymns]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Chicago Journal Photograph Collection, c. 1976 – 1984 [publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1994
Mildred Johnson Papers [poetry, literature; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1994
Nannie Pinkney Papers [libraries]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1994
Doris E. Saunders Papers [libraries, publishing, Johnson Publishing Company; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
Kerry James Marshall’s Knowledge and Wonder is installed at the Legler Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
1995
William McBride, Jr. Papers [visual arts, activism, SSCAC]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records Asian American Advisory Committee Records
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1995
Melva Williams Papers [music, education; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
John H. Young Photograph Collection, c. 1911 – 1977 [photography]
Chicago History Museum
January 23, 1996
Charles J. Evans Papers [Black Arts Movement, Black literature]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
July 1996
Lucy Smith Collier Papers [music, gospel, radio]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1996
Greg Harris Papers [comics, illustration, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1996
William Johnson Papers [photography, Washington Park; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
September 1997
Brenda Eichelberger / National Alliance of Black Feminists Papers
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
November 11, 1997
The Cyrus Colter Papers [writer]
Northwestern University Archives
December 13, 1997
Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club (CSSSCC) Archives [preservation]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1997
Sisi Donald Mosby Papers [journalism, activism; The Struggle newspaper]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1997, 2007
Path Press Archives [literature, civil rights]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
June, November, December 1998
Richard Durham Papers [radio, television]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
October 30, 1998
Theodore Charles Stone Papers [music, Chicago Music Association, National Assoc. Of Negro Musicians]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Black Ensemble Theater Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Black Radical Congress Archive [activism, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Go On Girl! Book Club Archives [literature, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Dorothy Rogers Livingston Papers [theater, Chicago Park District]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Duke Ellington film, 1962
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
1998
Theodore Charles Stone Papers [music, journalism]
Columbia College Chicago
1999
Evalyn Hamilton Papers [literature, libraries, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Thomas H. E. Miller Design Papers, 1953 – 1996 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
1999
Deborah Holton Papers [literature, theater; Lorraine Hansberry; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Vernon Jarrett Videotape Collection [journalism]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Susan Cayton Woodson Papers [visual art, gallery, South Side Community Art Center]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians Publicity Materials [music]
Chicago History Museum
1999
The Bronzeville Historical Society is started by Sherry Williams and Black family history researchers.
Back to top
Free Street Theater Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1991
Maceo Anderson Papers [television]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1991
ETA, Creative Arts Foundation Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
November 5, 1992, 1998
Grace Mason Papers / Franklyn Atkinson Henderson Photograph Collection [photography]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Eugene Winslow papers, 1885-1993 [design, illustration, cartoons, publishing]
University of Illinois at Chicago
1992
Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers [beauty, education, Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Colleges, Bud Billiken Parade, Chicago Defender Charities]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Carol Dworkin-Lems Papers [music]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1992
Edward Manney Papers [curatorial practice, libraries; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Don Moye / Art Ensemble of Chicago Papers [music, jazz; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Mildred Hatchell Papers [music, hymns]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1993
Chicago Journal Photograph Collection, c. 1976 – 1984 [publishing]
Chicago History Museum
1994
Mildred Johnson Papers [poetry, literature; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1994
Nannie Pinkney Papers [libraries]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1994
Doris E. Saunders Papers [libraries, publishing, Johnson Publishing Company; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
Kerry James Marshall’s Knowledge and Wonder is installed at the Legler Regional Library
Chicago Public Library
1995
William McBride, Jr. Papers [visual arts, activism, SSCAC]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
Harold Washington Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records Asian American Advisory Committee Records
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
1995
Melva Williams Papers [music, education; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1995
John H. Young Photograph Collection, c. 1911 – 1977 [photography]
Chicago History Museum
January 23, 1996
Charles J. Evans Papers [Black Arts Movement, Black literature]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
July 1996
Lucy Smith Collier Papers [music, gospel, radio]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1996
Greg Harris Papers [comics, illustration, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1996
William Johnson Papers [photography, Washington Park; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
September 1997
Brenda Eichelberger / National Alliance of Black Feminists Papers
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
November 11, 1997
The Cyrus Colter Papers [writer]
Northwestern University Archives
December 13, 1997
Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club (CSSSCC) Archives [preservation]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1997
Sisi Donald Mosby Papers [journalism, activism; The Struggle newspaper]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1997, 2007
Path Press Archives [literature, civil rights]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
June, November, December 1998
Richard Durham Papers [radio, television]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
October 30, 1998
Theodore Charles Stone Papers [music, Chicago Music Association, National Assoc. Of Negro Musicians]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Black Ensemble Theater Collection [theater]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Black Radical Congress Archive [activism, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Go On Girl! Book Club Archives [literature, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Dorothy Rogers Livingston Papers [theater, Chicago Park District]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1998
Duke Ellington film, 1962
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
1998
Theodore Charles Stone Papers [music, journalism]
Columbia College Chicago
1999
Evalyn Hamilton Papers [literature, libraries, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Thomas H. E. Miller Design Papers, 1953 – 1996 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
1999
Deborah Holton Papers [literature, theater; Lorraine Hansberry; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Vernon Jarrett Videotape Collection [journalism]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Susan Cayton Woodson Papers [visual art, gallery, South Side Community Art Center]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
1999
Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians Publicity Materials [music]
Chicago History Museum
1999
The Bronzeville Historical Society is started by Sherry Williams and Black family history researchers.
Back to top
2000 – 2004
2000
Alice Browning Papers [poetry, literature, journalism, publishing]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Dungill Family Papers [music]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
June 19, 2000
The Ann Kathryn Flagg Papers [playwright, educator]
Northwestern University Archives
2000
Charles A. Sengstock, Jr. Papers, 1960-2000 [music, theater, architecture]
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2000
Rev. Elber Fowler Papers [photography, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Bennett Johnson Papers [publishing, activism, politics; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Michael St. James Photograph Collection [photography, 19th/20th Century]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 5, 2000, 2001, 2016
Leonard Wash Papers [writer, activism, Black Arts Movement, Black Power Movement]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2001
Maria Mootry Papers [poetry, literature, criticism, women, visual art, Black Arts Movement]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
December 2002
Willard F. Motley Paper [journalism, Hull-house]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
The Shorefront Legacy Center is established in Evanston
2214 Ridge Avenue
2002
Val Gray Ward Papers [theater; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
Rita Coburn Whack Collection [television, radio, film, curatorial practice, SSCAC]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
Bronzeville expansion collection, 1950 – 2017
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2002, 2004 – 2010
Frances Minor Papers [education, activism, SSCAC]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 29, 2003
Timuel D. Black Jr Papers
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2003
Madeline Stratton Morris Papers [education, activism, history]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
March 10, 2004
Arthur Logan Papers [graphic design, music, gospel]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Al Browne Papers [circus, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Leroy Bryant Papers [Black studies, Chicago State University, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Josie Brown Childs Papers [activism, Harold Washington, Mississippi, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Ishmael Flory Papers [activism, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
David Kellum Papers [journalism, Chicago Defender, Bud Billiken]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
McGill Family Papers [journalism, libraries, politics]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
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Alice Browning Papers [poetry, literature, journalism, publishing]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Dungill Family Papers [music]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
June 19, 2000
The Ann Kathryn Flagg Papers [playwright, educator]
Northwestern University Archives
2000
Charles A. Sengstock, Jr. Papers, 1960-2000 [music, theater, architecture]
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2000
Rev. Elber Fowler Papers [photography, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Bennett Johnson Papers [publishing, activism, politics; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2000
Michael St. James Photograph Collection [photography, 19th/20th Century]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 5, 2000, 2001, 2016
Leonard Wash Papers [writer, activism, Black Arts Movement, Black Power Movement]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2001
Maria Mootry Papers [poetry, literature, criticism, women, visual art, Black Arts Movement]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
December 2002
Willard F. Motley Paper [journalism, Hull-house]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
The Shorefront Legacy Center is established in Evanston
2214 Ridge Avenue
2002
Val Gray Ward Papers [theater; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
Rita Coburn Whack Collection [television, radio, film, curatorial practice, SSCAC]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2002
Bronzeville expansion collection, 1950 – 2017
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2002, 2004 – 2010
Frances Minor Papers [education, activism, SSCAC]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 29, 2003
Timuel D. Black Jr Papers
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2003
Madeline Stratton Morris Papers [education, activism, history]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
March 10, 2004
Arthur Logan Papers [graphic design, music, gospel]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Al Browne Papers [circus, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Leroy Bryant Papers [Black studies, Chicago State University, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Josie Brown Childs Papers [activism, Harold Washington, Mississippi, partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
Ishmael Flory Papers [activism, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
David Kellum Papers [journalism, Chicago Defender, Bud Billiken]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2004
McGill Family Papers [journalism, libraries, politics]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
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2005 – 2009
April 27, 2005
The Katherine Flowers Papers [dance]
Northwestern University Archives
2005
South Side Home Movie Project [film]
University of Chicago
2005
Barbara E. Allen Papers [film]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2005
Willie Box Papers [Black museums]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2005
Elma Stuckey Photograph Collection c. 1930 – 1950* [poetry]
Chicago History Museum
2005
African Festival of the Arts Posters, 1994 – 2004 [music, visual art]
Chicago History Museum
2005
William Edouard Scott Papers [visual art, murals, illustration]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 2006
Chicago SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) History Project Archives [civil rights movement, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Sydonia Brooks Collection/National Association of Negro Musicians Papers [music]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
The Black Metropolis Research Consortium is established at the University of Chicago
2006
Loudella Evans Reid Papers [music, gospel]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Gerri Oliver Papers* [music venues, The Palm Tavern]
Chicago History Museum
2006
Fannie Rushing Papers [activism, SNCC; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Carl E. Smith, Jr. Collection [publishing, music; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006 – 2013
Marion Perkins Papers [visual art, sculpture]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
November 2007
Capt. Walter Henri Dyett Papers [music, education]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Etta Moten Barnett Papers [music, theater, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Brenetta Howell Barrett Papers [environmental justice, civil liberties, West Side]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Abbott-Sengstacke Family Papers [newspaper publishing]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Coalition to Save the ‘Met’ [labor unions, activism, preservation]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007, November 2015
Chester Commodore Papers [comics, journalism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), Chicago Chapter Archives [activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Fern Gayden Papers [Black literature, social work, South Side Writers Group]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Esther Parada Papers [curatorial practice, visual arts, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church, located at 617 W. Evergreen Ave, with the All of Mankind mural painted by William “Bill” Walker is under risk of being demolished.
2008
Sylvia Campbell Photograph Collection [West Side, 1968]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Earl B. Dickerson Papers [civil rights, civil liberties]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Anthony Rayson Zine Collection [publishing, Black Panther Party] DePaul University Library
2008
Timothy Jackson Papers [cartoonist; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Duke Ellington photographs, 1962
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2009
Chicago Dance and Music Alliance Records, 1980 – 2005 [dance, music]
Newberry Library
2009
Madeline Murphy Rabb Papers [design, visual art, art advising]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library
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The Katherine Flowers Papers [dance]
Northwestern University Archives
2005
South Side Home Movie Project [film]
University of Chicago
2005
Barbara E. Allen Papers [film]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2005
Willie Box Papers [Black museums]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2005
Elma Stuckey Photograph Collection c. 1930 – 1950* [poetry]
Chicago History Museum
2005
African Festival of the Arts Posters, 1994 – 2004 [music, visual art]
Chicago History Museum
2005
William Edouard Scott Papers [visual art, murals, illustration]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 2006
Chicago SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) History Project Archives [civil rights movement, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Sydonia Brooks Collection/National Association of Negro Musicians Papers [music]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
The Black Metropolis Research Consortium is established at the University of Chicago
2006
Loudella Evans Reid Papers [music, gospel]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Gerri Oliver Papers* [music venues, The Palm Tavern]
Chicago History Museum
2006
Fannie Rushing Papers [activism, SNCC; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006
Carl E. Smith, Jr. Collection [publishing, music; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2006 – 2013
Marion Perkins Papers [visual art, sculpture]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
November 2007
Capt. Walter Henri Dyett Papers [music, education]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Etta Moten Barnett Papers [music, theater, activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Brenetta Howell Barrett Papers [environmental justice, civil liberties, West Side]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Abbott-Sengstacke Family Papers [newspaper publishing]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Coalition to Save the ‘Met’ [labor unions, activism, preservation]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007, November 2015
Chester Commodore Papers [comics, journalism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), Chicago Chapter Archives [activism]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Fern Gayden Papers [Black literature, social work, South Side Writers Group]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2007
Esther Parada Papers [curatorial practice, visual arts, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church, located at 617 W. Evergreen Ave, with the All of Mankind mural painted by William “Bill” Walker is under risk of being demolished.
2008
Sylvia Campbell Photograph Collection [West Side, 1968]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Earl B. Dickerson Papers [civil rights, civil liberties]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Anthony Rayson Zine Collection [publishing, Black Panther Party] DePaul University Library
2008
Timothy Jackson Papers [cartoonist; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2008
Duke Ellington photographs, 1962
Illinois Institute of Technology, Paul V. Galvin Library University Archives and Special Collections
2009
Chicago Dance and Music Alliance Records, 1980 – 2005 [dance, music]
Newberry Library
2009
Madeline Murphy Rabb Papers [design, visual art, art advising]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library
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2010 – 2020
November 2010
Johnson Publishing Company Building Sold to Columbia College Chicago for $8 million. It was sold again in late 2017 and reopened June 2019 as apartments.
December 2010
Betty Gubert Collection of African Americans in Aviation [libraries, writers, flight]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2010
John A. McDermott Papers, 1949 – 1996* [publishing]
Chicago History Museum
2010
Richard E. Stamz Papers* [music]
Center for Black Music Research, Columbia College Chicago
2010
Chicago Video Project Archives [labor, social, economic justice; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2010
Calvin B. Jones Papers [murals, Black Arts Movement, galleries; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2010
J. Fred MacDonald Papers [film, television; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2010
Chandler Owen Papers [journalism, labor activism; The Messenger Journal, Chicago Bee; unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2011
Toni Bond Leonard Collection [reproductive rights]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2012
Chicago Renaissance African American Art Festival [visual art]
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
2012
Johnson Publishing Company Library Collection + Archives donated to Rebuild Foundation and relocated to Stony Island Arts Bank.
January 2013
AfriCOBRA and Black Arts Movement Collection acquired by the Brooklyn Museum. The acquisition included 44 works by 26 artists, including Wadsworth Jarrell, Jeff Donaldson, Barbara Jones-Hogu, Jae Jarrell, and arts collective AfriCOBRA.
October 2013
Gwendolyn Brooks Literary Archives acquired by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The archives include 150 boxes with manuscripts, drafts, revisions, correspondence, scrapbooks, clippings, homemade chapbooks, handwritten poems, and awards
2013
Archibald J. Motley, Jr. Papers and Photograph Collection* [visual art]
Chicago History Museum
2013
BlackGold: Celebrating the Golden Age of Black Art!
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
2014
Useni Eugene Perkins Papers [poetry, theater, writing, social work, Black Arts Movement, son of Marion Perkins]*
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
May 2015
Dewey Roscoe Jones Papers [journalism, poetry, Chicago Defender, Hull-House]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
2015
All of Mankind mural by William “Bill” Walker whitewashed on the Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church, located at 617 West Evergreen Avenue.
2015
Rev. Clay Evans Archive [gospel, civil rights]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
c. 2015
The Frankie Knuckles Vinyl Collection is donated to Rebuild Foundation by the Frankie Knuckles Foundation and relocated to the Stony Island Arts Bank.
2016
Mariame Kaba Papers [abolition; partially processed]
Chicago Public Library
2016
Chicago Black Lives Matter Protest Collection, 2014 – ongoing [activism]
Newberry Library
July 2017
The Daphne Maxwell Reid Papers [actress, model, etc.]
Northwestern University Archives
2017
The Ira Frederick Aldridge Collection [Actor]
Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections at Northwestern University
2017
Rev. Martin L. Deppe Papers [civil rights, social justice]
Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center
July 2018
The Angela Jackson Papers [writer, poet]
Northwestern University Archives
November 2018
Knowledge and Wonder painting by Kerry James Marshall at the Legler Regional Library put up for auction at Christie’s by the City of Chicago and then withdrawn.
2018
Chicago Black Social Culture Map
Honey Pot Performance
2018
The Pat Patrick Collection of Sun Ra Materials [musician]
Northwestern University Music Library
2018
Art & Soul Records, 1917 – 2018 [visual art, Conservative Vice Lords]
Newberry Library
2018
Thing Magazine Records* [LGBTQ+, art, culture]
Chicago History Museum
July 2019
Johnson Publishing Company Photo Archives acquired by Ford Foundation, the Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The archives include 3.35 million negatives and slides, 983,000 photographs, 166,000 contact sheets, and 9,200 audio and visual recordings.
July 2019
Staff at the Center for Black Music Research terminated and access to the collection reduced. The CBMR is a collection of materials originating or representing black music in the United States, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean through personal papers, scores, sheet music, audio-visual materials, photographs, books, periodicals, and commercial recordings.
2019
Eve L. Ewing Papers [poetry, writing]
Newberry Library
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Acquisition date unknown at this time
Associated Negro Press Collection, 1953 – 1953
University of Illinois at Chicago
Margaret Danner Papers, 1940 – 1984 [poetry]
University of Chicago Library Special Collections Research Center
Charles Harrison Papers, 1947 – 1997* [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Calvin Ashford, Jr. Design Papers, 1977 – 2008 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago Defender Archives Individuals Files, 1928-2007, bulk 1940s-1990s [publishing, journalism]
Oscar Brown, Jr. Collection* [music, poetry]
Chicago History Museum
Richmond A. Jones Design Papers, 1970 – 2000 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Emmett McBain Design Papers [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
LeRoy Winbush Design Papers, 1955 – 1992* [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago Defender Archives Organizations Files [publishing, journalism]
Gwendolyn Brooks Black Writer’s Conference, 1991 – 1996
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
Ida B. Wells Papers, 1884 – 1976
University of Chicago Library
[artificial accession]
Moving Image Collection, 1943 – 2005
DuSable Museum of African American History
Sue Cassidy Clark Papers, 1960 – 1990 [music, journalism]
Columbia College Chicago
National Black Feminist Organization Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
National Alliance of Black Feminists Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
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University of Illinois at Chicago
Margaret Danner Papers, 1940 – 1984 [poetry]
University of Chicago Library Special Collections Research Center
Charles Harrison Papers, 1947 – 1997* [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Calvin Ashford, Jr. Design Papers, 1977 – 2008 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago Defender Archives Individuals Files, 1928-2007, bulk 1940s-1990s [publishing, journalism]
Oscar Brown, Jr. Collection* [music, poetry]
Chicago History Museum
Richmond A. Jones Design Papers, 1970 – 2000 [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Emmett McBain Design Papers [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
LeRoy Winbush Design Papers, 1955 – 1992* [design]
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago Defender Archives Organizations Files [publishing, journalism]
Gwendolyn Brooks Black Writer’s Conference, 1991 – 1996
Chicago State University Archives and Special Collections
Ida B. Wells Papers, 1884 – 1976
University of Chicago Library
[artificial accession]
Moving Image Collection, 1943 – 2005
DuSable Museum of African American History
Sue Cassidy Clark Papers, 1960 – 1990 [music, journalism]
Columbia College Chicago
National Black Feminist Organization Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
National Alliance of Black Feminists Collection
University of Illinois at Chicago Library
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Tempestt Hazel (she/her) is a curator, writer, and co-founder of Sixty Inches From Center, a Chicago-based arts publication and archiving initiative that has promoted and preserved the practices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists and artists with disabilities across the Midwest since 2010. Her curatorial work and work with Sixty was recently recognized with a J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award from the Society of American Archivists (SAA). She is also the Arts Program Officer at Field Foundation. Tempestt was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, spent several years in the California Bay Area, and has called Chicago her second home for over 12 years.