Waiting for the Hour, 1863. Creators: Unknown, William Tolman CarltonCarte-de-visite of a group of African Americans gathered around a man with a pocket watch, leaning on a pulpit made out of U.S. Sanitation Commission crates
Drum major baton, early 20th century. Creator: UnknownDrum major baton with a wooden body and a white metal tip and bulb. The wooden body is stained a dark brown and has two holes
Uniform cap worn by Pullman Porter Philip Henry Logan, 1966. Creator: UnknownA black cap with metallic braid trim and a label reading PULLMAN PORTER in black. Being a Pullman porter was one of the jobs that helped build the black middle class in America
Bootsy Collins style star-shaped mirrored lens sunglasses, 1993-2013. Creator: elope, incA pair of sunglasses with five-pointed star-shaped mirrored lenses lisensed by Bootsy Collins. The bridge is made of a gold colored metal and has two (2) clear rubber nosepads attached to it
Ticket to a boxing match between Floyd Patterson and Ingemar Johansson, June 25, 1959The World Heavyweight Championship boxing match between African-American Floyd Patterson (1935-2006) and Swede Ingemar Johansson (1932-2009) was held at the Yankee Stadium in New York City
George Scott Winslow, 1866. Creator: Edmonia LewisEdmonia Lewis is one of the most important American sculptors of the 19th century. The free-born child of an African American man and a Chippewa woman, Lewis was also known by her tribal name
Radical Members of the South Carolina Legislature, 1868. Creator: UnknownA carte-de-visite of sixty-four (64) so-called " Radical" members of the reconstructed South Carolina legislature after the Civil War
Carte-de-visite of Lt. Governor Oscar J. Dunn, 1868-1871. Creator: UnknownAn albumen print carte-de-visite portrait of African-American politician, musician and businessman Oscar J. Dunn. He is photographed standing with his right foot slightly forward than his left
Training robe worn by Muhammad Ali at the 5th Street Gym, 1964White terry cloth Everlast robe worn by Muhammad Ali at the 5th Street Gym, a boxing gym in Miami Beach, Florida. Ali became World Heavyweight Boxing Champion the same year
Army belt flashlight, 1917. Creator: Beacon Electric WorksFlashlight with a metal body, glass lens, and leather strap, to attach the light to a belt. The front of the flashlight has a circular glass bulb
Bully beef can opener, 1914-1918. Creator: UnknownBully beef or corned beef is meat made from minced salt-cured brisket of beef in gelatin. The word bully possibly comes from the French " bouilli" (boiled)
US Army green service uniform worn by Colin L. Powell, 1989-1993A US Army green service uniform worn by Colin L. Powell as General and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell, (born 1937), was the first African-American Secretary of State
Postcard of Harriet Tubman, Nelson Davis, and daughter Gertie, ca. 1887; printed 1992A black-and-white postcard featuring a photograph of Harriet Tubman, her husband Nelson Davis, and their adopted daughter Gertie
Photograph of a man sitting down with a woman standing next to him, 1880s - 1900A black-and-white cabinet card photograph of an African-American man and woman. The man is sitting in a chair on the left side of the photograph
In the Village of Blackfeet Indians near St. Marys Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, c1930s. From " Tour of the World". [Keystone View Company, Meadville, Pa. New York, Chicago, London]
Dress worn by Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson on The Jeffersons, 1979This dress was worn by African-American actor Isabel Sanford (1917-2004) as the character Louise Jefferson on the television show " The Jeffersons." The maxi dress is made of a synthetic
Photograph of Kappa Alpha Psi members, 1937-1938. Creator: Dexheimer-Carlon StudiosMembers of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in front of the Alpha Chapter house during the North Central Province regional meeting
Leaflet for Club de Memo, ca. 1944. Creators: Unknown, R. C. LombardiA light blue paper leaflet for Club de Memo in Los Angeles, California. The leaflet features the clubs name, address and a woman holding bubbles standing in a glass. The back of the leaflet is blank
Hat from Fruit of Islam uniform, 1950-1959. Creator: UnknownThe Fruit of Islam (FOI) is the security and disciplinary wing of the Nation of Islam, an African American movement and organisation, founded in 1930
Cap from Fruit of Islam uniform, ca. 1960. Creator: UnknownNavy blue cap with black patent leather bill; Nation of Islam crescent moon and star present at front center. The Fruit of Islam (FOI) is the security and disciplinary wing of the Nation of Islam
First aid kit, 1943-1945. Creator: Davis Emergency Equipment Co. IncA U.S. Army-issued first aid kit from World War II labeled [For Gas Casualties Only]. The green painted metal box has four latches on each side so, that when open
Votive candle stand with base from Saint Augustine Catholic Church, 20th centuryA votive candle stand with ninety-nine candle holders. The holders all feature four stylized leaves. The top of the stand has five rows of with twenty holders each
Bootsy Collins Space Bass guitar owned by Bootsy Collins, July 2002A limited edition, Bootsy Collins Space Bass from Washburn Guitars (TR2013-140.1.1) owned by Bootsy Collins. This is a four-stringed electric bass guitar with an asymmetrical star shaped body modeled
Combat boots worn by Andre M. Jones during the Iraq War, 2003Pair of tan desert combat boots manufactured by Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. Boots are 390 DES Hot Weather Combat Boot. Boots have tan shoe laces, with tan rubber sole. Leather and nylon body
Pan African flag used at the Million Man March 20th Anniversary, 2015. Creator: UnknownThe Million Man March - a large gathering of African-American men in Washington, D.C. took place on 16 October 1995. It was called by Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam
Black dress worn by Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in The Color Purple, 1985. Creator: UnknownBlack dress worn by Oprah Winfrey as Sofia in The Color Purple, 1985. The short-sleeved shift dress is made from a single piece of black rayon-cotton blend satin that is folded in half at
Untitled ("I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance"), 1864 / 65. Creator: S. CUntitled (" I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance" ), 1864/65. [Portrait of Sojourner Truth, born Isabella " Belle" Baumfree (c)
Family temperance pledge for Luther Miller Pulce and Irene Jenkins, October 30, 1902Temperance pledge for Luther Miller Pulce and Irene Jenkins of Centerville, Tennessee. A temperance or abstinence pledge is a commitment to practice abstinence, usually from alcohol
Wood hair comb from Ghana, 1950s. Creator: UnknownIt had been assumed that the afro comb was invented in the 1970s when the afro hairstyle became popular in the West, along with the Black is beautiful movement
Photograph album page with three photographs of women in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1920sA collection of three black-and-white photographs of Tulsa women mounted on black construction paper.; 2013.79.20a: Black-and-white photograph of a woman wearing a dark dress with a white bodice
Dress worn by Celia Cruz, 1970s. Creator: JoseEnrique ArteagaMetallic floor-length dress, worn by Cuban American singer Celia Cruz (1925-2003). Red, gold, and blue sequin dress designed with horizontal, varied stripes and large open sleeves
Photograph album page with three photographs, before 1921. Creator: UnknownOn one side of the paper there are two photographs showing people on a bridge, and people standing next to a building. On the other side of the paper is a photograph of a street view
Newspaper insert for Jesse Jackson 1984 presidential campaign, 1984. Creator: UnknownFour-page newspaper insert outlining Jesse Jacksons 1984 Presidential platform and campaign pledges. African-American political activist, Baptist minister, and politician Rev
Photograph of people standing in a line on a street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ca. 1920A black-and-white photograph that depicts a large group of people standing in a line on a street with one car in the center of the photograph
Letter from Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper Gore to Carl Lewis, December 16African-American track and field athlete Carl Lewis (born 1961) won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold
Masonic apron from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, late 18th centuryAfrican-American abolitionist Prince Hall (c. 1735-1807) founded Prince Hall Freemasonry and was a leader in the free black community in Boston
Autograph sheet from Negro League Baseball Players Association Reunion, October 13, 1990A white autograph sheet with black printed text " N.L.B.P.A. / AUTOGRAPH SHEET" at the top. The middle has a printed baseball diamond with 50 signatures of Negro League players in different
Ticket to a championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks, September 15The World Heavyweight Championship boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Leon Spinks was held at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Letter from US Representative Tom DeLay to Carl Lewis, August 27, 1996. Creator: UnknownAfrican-American track and field athlete Carl Lewis (born 1961) won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold
Pinback button for the 1963 March on Washington, 1963. Creator: UnknownThe purpose of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. A white pin-back button with black text
Pinback button for Jesse Jacksons 1988 presidential campaign, 1988African-American political activist, Baptist minister, and politician Rev. Jesse Jackson (born 1941) was a candidate for the US Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988
Vietnam tour jacket with Black Power embroidery, 1971-1972. Creator: Saha Union GroupBlack jacket probably worn by an African-American soldier during the Vietnam war. The back features discolored white embroidery
Pinback button stating "Do the Right Thing!", 1994. Creator: Pleasant CompanyDo the Right Thing was a 1989 comedy-drama written and directed by African-American filmmaker and producer Spike Lee. Round pin-back button featuring black type set against a pink background
Letter from US Representative Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. to Carl Lewis, August 14, 1996African-American track and field athlete Carl Lewis (born 1961) won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold
Pinback button of Farrakhan quote, after 1985. Creator: UnknownAfrican-American religious leader and political activist Louis Farrakhan was appointed National Representative of the Nation of Islam by former NOI leader Elijah Muhammad
Certificate of endowment for the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, October 15, 1908Certificate of endowment made out to Edgar Leroy Boyd by the Mutual Endowment Association of the District Grand Lodge of Ohio of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
Denim and suede suit jacket and bellbottoms worn by Charley Pride, 1976. Creator: UnknownThis denim jean jacket (a) and bell-bottom jeans (b) with suede patchwork details were worn by Charley Pride (1934-2020), an African-American singer, guitarist, and professional baseball player
Pinback button which reads "Malcolm X Speaks For Me", 1960-1970Malcolm X (1925-1965), was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist during the civil rights movement
