| Dates: | 1870-1986 |
| Size: | 1 linear foot, 220 photographs, 27 audiotapes, 10 videotapes, 6 oversize folders |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | Archives_BNL |
| Provenance: | The materials in this collection were assembled by Bethel New Life, Inc. in 1984 and 1985 as part of an Illinois Humanities Council grant developed to "involve the Black community of Chicago’s West Side in recovering the recent history of the area." The grant proposal included the organization’s intent to "deposit artifacts in an appropriate archive where there is public access." In Spring 1984, a gift agreement was signed designating the Chicago Public Library’s Special Collections and Preservation Division as that archive. Materials were transferred to the library from 1984 to 1986. |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Bethel New Life Records [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library. |
| Processed by: | The collection was processed by archivist Galen R. Wilson in October, 1988, and in early 1989. Throughout the years of the project additional materials have been donated to the archive. In fall, 2002 and throughout 2003, additional materials were added to the processed collection, (Box 3) by Morag Walsh, and transcriptions of the videoed oral history interviews were completed. In fall, 2002, Linda Von Dreele, coordinator of Looking Backward to Move Forward approached Special Collections with a proposal to transcribe the video interviews with funding from Loyola University’s Center for Urban Research and Learning; from Bethel New Life, Inc.; and from Columbia College. The funding supported an intern to systematically transcribe the interviews and create full scope notes and indexes for each interview. These transcriptions are in Box 4. |
Historical Note
Bethel New Life, Inc. is a non-profit community development corporation and social service organization founded in 1979 and serving Chicago’s West Side. Originally located in West Garfield Park (367 N. Karlov), the corporate offices of Bethel New Life relocated to the Austin community in 2001 (4950 W. Thomas). Through its holistic approach to community development, Bethel New Life provides a broad array of services and programs, including employment and training, child care, senior housing and services, education and health care.
Bethel New Life has its origins in Bethel Lutheran Church, which was founded in 1891 to serve the German/Scandinavian populations in the West Side neighborhood of West Garfield Park. The area had been incorporated into Chicago only two years earlier. The community’s focal point, Garfield Park, boasted a lagoon, bandstand, greenhouse, and golf course. A racetrack was built at the corner of Madison and Pulaski (then Crawford Street), and the completion of an elevated train link to the Loop in the 1890s spurred the community’s growth.
There was heavy construction of new homes and apartment buildings in the area in the 1920s, and by 1930 the community reached its population peak of over 50,000 -- principally Irish, but also Russian Jews, Italians who were moving in from neighborhoods to the east, and African Americans who lived along Lake Street, the oldest industrial section of the community.
New housing construction all but ceased after 1930, and additional housing units were acquired generally through the subdivision of larger, single-family homes. In the 1940s and 50s, additional housing conversions were necessitated for residents whose homes were demolished by the construction of the Eisenhower Expressway. By the 1950s, a third of the white population had left West Garfield Park and by the 1960s, more than 40,000 African Americans had moved into the neighborhood. Housing continued to be a problem, and between 1970 and 1980, West Garfield Park lost thousands of residents as housing units fell from 14,500 to 10,000. "Large empty lots, formerly occupied by small and medium-sized apartment buildings, [were] mute evidence of the loss of dwelling space caused by the withdrawal of investment, under-maintenance, and arson" (Local Community Fact Book, 1980).
In 1979, the median income of West Garfield Park residents was 2/3 the citywide median, and 40% of the population lived below the poverty level. "Several community groups have been formed to do something about deteriorating housing conditions and the erosion of the economic base of West Garfield Park. They faced an uphill struggle against the result of fifty years of neglect" (Local Community Fact Book, 1980). One of those community groups was Bethel Housing, Inc., formed by the Bethel Lutheran Church in 1979. In 1982, Bethel Housing changed its name to Bethel New Life, Inc., and under this name continued its work in offering housing opportunities--both rehab and new construction--to low and moderate-income community residents. Bethel New Life eventually managed over 100 rental units. In addition, Bethel operated food and sewing cooperatives, day-care and after-school programs for children, a holistic health center, and senior citizens programs.
In October 1983, Bethel New Life’s board appointed a historic preservation committee to work with graduate students from the University of Illinois to explore the possibilities for the preservation of West Garfield Park’s history--particularly architectural history. The committee recommended that the board not attempt historic district designation but encouraged grassroots preservation of local tradition and culture. The result was a project titled "Catch the West Garfield Spirit: Look Up, Look Around, and Be Proud." In 1983, Bethel successfully applied for an Illinois Humanities Council grant to "involve the Black community of Chicago’s West Side in recovering the recent history of the area." With grant monies supplied by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the project known as "Looking Backward to Move Forward" was funded.
"Looking Backward to Move Forward" focused on four themes--migration, ownership patterns, the church, and community leadership--which were seen as essential to West Side African American history. In 1984-1985 there were several programs developed to reclaim and uncover hidden sources of that rich history.
Under the direction of President Mary Nelson, Bethel New Life (http://www.bethelnewlife.org/) continues today to earn a national reputation for cutting edge initiatives and pioneering approaches that build on the people, physical assets, and faith base of Chicago’s West Side Community.
Scope and Content
The Records of Bethel New Life consist of more than 20 sets of original material and two supplements. The majority of the documents were donated or loaned to "Looking Backward to Move Forward" by Bethel New Life for archival acquisition or copying. Included among those materials were 221 photographs, 0.5 linear foot of manuscript material, nine oral histories on video tape, and 14 interviews on audio cassettes.
The photographs make up the core of the collection. These images cover a century of photography from tintypes to color snapshots. They record a wide range of African American history on the West Side of Chicago and include images of individuals, families, religious institutions, and businesses. Most of the photographs were taken in Chicago, but many illustrate Black families from the South who later relocated in Chicago. There are photos of former slaves (photo #5.11 and 15.12); an evangelist active in Underground Railroad work (#8.44); African American policemen, including those employed at the World’s Columbian Exposition (#5.9, 8.4, 8.6, 8.13, and 8.43); African American military units in the Spanish American War (#8.1, 8.17-8.18, 8.20-8.21, and 8.27); and famous people such as Martin Luther King Jr. (#4.3-4.4), Mahalia Jackson (#12.6-12.7, 12.13-12.14) and Langston Hughes (#15.2). See below for a listing of the photographs. A photograph index by subject also follows the Container List.
The photographs and manuscript material are arranged in accordance with the series divisions common to most of the Neighborhood History Research Collections, specifically: Biographical (Portraits/Family Photographs for photos), Business, Religious Institutions, Clubs and Organizations, Residences (photographs only), and Wartime Activities (photos only).
The accession numbers of the photographs do not follow consecutively. There will seem to be several numbers missing. Bethel assigned accession numbers to photos and manuscripts; these formats are now separated and the accession numbers for the manuscript material has been ignored in the current organizational scheme. The Bethel Accession Register (Oversize Folder 1) contains the complete and original listing of all material in this collection.
The Records of Bethel New Life also contain the administrative records of the "Looking Backward to Move Forward " project. These include donor files (Box 2:1-19), which are arranged alphabetically, and files concerning the Illinois Humanities Council grant (Box 2:20-2:22). Public programs conducted by Bethel are documented in audio cassettes #T15-T22 and video tape #V10.
Materials in Supplement 1 derive from several boxes of miscellany found in Special Collections storage. They were omitted from the original cataloging of the Bethel New Life collection although they probably arrived with the original accession. Included in this supplement are a file of administrative records and material concerning nine churches.
The audio cassettes that form Supplement 2 were received by Special Collections in March 1989. Included among them are four oral history interviews and the funeral service of one interviewee, "Blind" John Davis.
Related Materials
The O'Quinn Family Papers overlap Bethel New Life in provenance. Original contact between Special Collections and the O’Quinns was made through Bethel New Life, but the O’Quinn material was accessioned and cataloged independently of the Bethel collection.
East Garfield Park Community Collection
Container List
Series 1: Biographical
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Calhoun, Catherine Griffin (died 1948), 1948 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Cherry, Willie P. (died 1959), 1959 |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Crosby, Joseph, 1952 |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Dandridge, Coy, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Henderson, Samuella (1885-1983), 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Jackson family, 1894-1975 |
| Box 1 | Folder 6a | Love, Marjorie, circa 1928-1994 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Mitchell, James M., 1943 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Ridley, Rachel Rebecca, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | South, Eddie (born 1904), undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Woodley, Robert G. and Fannie, 1944-1953 [See also: Oversize Folder 2: Jackson, H.D., appointment as corporal, 8th Illinois Infantry, August 5, 1898] |
Series 2: Business Establishments
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Boulevard Hotel, undated |
Series 3: Religious Institutions
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Central Memorial, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 13 | First Baptist Congregational, 1908, 1983 |
| Box 1 | Folder 14 | Friendship Missionary Baptist, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 15 | Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League, 1967-1977 |
| Box 1 | Folder 16 | Lawndale Interracial Missionary Baptist, 1959-1967 |
| Box 1 | Folder 17 | New Morning Star Baptist, 1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 18 | Original Providence Baptist, 1974-1984 |
| Box 1 | Folder 19 | St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal, 1972-1974, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 20 | Stone Temple Baptist, 1984 |
Series 4: Clubs and Organizations
| Box 1 | Folder 21 | Lawndale Civic and Educational Club, 1960 |
| Box 1 | Folder 22 | The Lively Set, 1925 |
| Box 1 | Folder 23 | Midwest Community Council, 1961 |
| Box 1 | Folder 24 | West Side Women’s Civic and Charity Club, 1976 |
| Box 1 | Folder 25 | Wolves’ Athletic Club, 1935 |
Series 5: Schools
| Box 1 | Folder 26 | McKinley High School, 1985 |
Supplement 1
Series 3: Religious Institutions
| Box 1 | Folder 28 | Emmanuel Temple A.M.E. |
| Box 1 | Folder 29 | First Immanuel Lutheran |
| Box 1 | Folder 30 | Friendship Missionary Baptist, 1972 |
| Box 1 | Folder 31 | New Morning Star Missionary Baptist |
| Box 1 | Folder 32 | St. Agatha’s Roman Catholic |
| Box 1 | Folder 33 | St. Mary’s House of Prayer Spiritual |
Series 6: Administrative Records (Donor Files)
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Brown, Archie (donation group 16) |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Chrismon, Mabel (donation group 6) |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Clark, Katherine (donation group 3) |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Connie, Wetzel (donation group 10) |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Cunning, Ora (donation group 7) |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Dandridge, Rosa (donation group 11) |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Fairfax, Julia (donation group 17) |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Fairmain, Vivian (donation group 13) |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Hampton, Curtis S. (donation group 12) |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Heflin, Lorraine and Cherry, Willie Mae (donation group 1) |
| Box 2 | Folder 11 | McGrath, Alice (donation group 9) |
| Box 2 | Folder 12 | Porter, Annis (donation group 18) |
| Box 2 | Folder 13 | Ridley, Rachel R. (donation group 19) |
| Box 2 | Folder 14 | Showers, Pearl Johnson (donation group 2) |
| Box 2 | Folder 15 | Simons, Obern (donation group 8) |
| Box 2 | Folder 16 | Smith, Clara Carlos (donation group 14) |
| Box 2 | Folder 17 | Stone, James M. (donation group 4) |
| Box 2 | Folder 18 | Tatum, Elizabeth (donation group 5) |
| Box 2 | Folder 19 | Woodley, Fannie (donation group 15) |
Series 7: Administrative Records (Miscellaneous)
| Box 1 | Folder 27 | Ownership Patterns Committee, questionnaire and final report |
| Box 2 | Folder 20 | Final Report to the Illinois Humanities Council, 1985 |
| Box 2 | Folder 21 | Illinois Humanities Council grant proposal, 1983 |
| Box 2 | Folder 22 | Publicity materials, forms, programs, 1984-1985 [See also: Oversize Folder 1: Bethel New Life Accession Register, 1984] |
Supplement 3
Series 7: Administrative Records
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Introducing Bethel New Life, Inc., undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Draft Abstract Proposal of Bethel New Life, July 1983 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, sample forms and questionnaires, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, meeting minutes, June 1985-October 16, 1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, announcements to community, 1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, Prospectus: A Plan to Continue, circa 1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Evaluation of Looking Backward to Move Forward by Dr. B.E. Powers, Jr., Northeastern University, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, Proposal for Exemplary Award, 1989 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Looking Backward to Move Forward, recruitment plan, circa 1989 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | From Survival Toward Promise, research planning Worksheet, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | West Side Pride, teachers’ guide, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Map of Chicago showing Negro Residential Areas, circa 1937 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Every Man’s Daughter, Every Woman’s Son: An Oral History of Chicago’s Black West Side, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | My West Side Encounter by Odessa Barnes Norrington, 1985 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | West Side Arts Council, planning phase, June 1989 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | The Great West Side, Purpose, Organization and Boundaries of the Black Westside History Project, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | Exhibit, West Side Voices, label copy, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | Programs, flyers, press releases, circa 1984-1987 |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | Publicity clippings, 1984-1987 |
Oversize Folders
| Oversize | Folder 1 | Accession Register, Bethel New Life, 1984-1985 |
| Oversize | Folder 2 | Autographed document, signed: John R. Marshall to H. D. Jackson, appointment as corporal, Company D, 8th Illinois Infantry, August 5, 1898 |
| Oversize | Folder 3 | Newspaper: Chicago Inter-Community News, vol. III, no. 3, August 1944 |
| Oversize | Folder 4 | Newspaper: Chicago Inter-Community News, vol. III, no. 10, March 1945 |
| Oversize | Folder 5 | Newspaper: Chicago Inter-Community News, vol. III, no. 12, May 1945 |
| Oversize | Folder 6 | Poster: “Looking Backward to Move Forward” (to advertise exhibit at the Midwest Complex Ballroom, February 9, 1985 (2 copies) |
Video Tapes ‒ Oral History Interviews (available to researchers)
| Video 1 | John Houston |
| Video 5 | Dora Glasco |
| Video 9 | Barbara Griffin, Katherine Clark |
| Video 10 | Every Man’s Daughter, Every Woman’s Son |
| Video 17 | “Looking Backward to Move Forward,” dub of master, September 29, 1988 (this tape has not been transcribed). |
| Video 18 | William J. Hudson |
| Video 19 | William J. Hudson, Elizabeth Hudson Tatum |
| Video 20 | Elizabeth Hudson Tatum |
Video Tapes ‒ Oral History Interviews (closed to researchers)
| Video 2 | Rosa Dandridge, Wetzel Connie, Curtis Stevens |
| Video 3 | Lorraine Heflin, Julia Fairfax |
| Video 4 | Alice McGrath, Mabel Chrismon, Mary Legree |
| Video 6 | Group interview with Dexter Watson, Elizabeth Glasco, Willie Box, Camille Lilly and Melvin Warfield |
| Video 7 | Margery Jones |
| Video 8 | Hattie Braxton, Margaret Sterling Wheeler, Julia Fairfax |
| Video 11 | Mary Alice Henry, Vivian Hicks, Deborah Fletcher Beverly |
| Video 12 | John William O’Quinn, Cleodia Dawkins O’Quinn |
| Video 13 | Delores Nance, Art Brown |
| Video 14 | Fannie Woodley, Lorraine Steele, Lin Von Dreele, Muriel Wilson, Pearl Showers |
| Video 15 | Lela Lewis Hayes, Anthony Burroughs |
| Video 16 | Elizabeth Hudson Tatum, John Wesley Hudson, Lela Lewis Hayes |
Video Tapes, Oral History Interview Transcriptions (available to researchers)
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | John Houston (Video 1) |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Rosa Dandridge (Video 2) |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Mabel Chrismon (Video 4) |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Mary Legree (Video 4) |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Dora Glasco (Video 5) |
| Box 4 | Folder 12 | Hattie Braxton (Video 8) |
| Box 4 | Folder 15 | Barbara Griffin (Video 9) |
| Box 4 | Folder 16 | Katherine Clark (Video 9) |
| Box 4 | Folder 17 | Every Man’s Daughter, Every Woman’s Son, narrated by Patrick Keen (Video 10) |
| Box 4 | Folder 18 | Barbara Griffin (Video 10) |
| Box 4 | Folder 19 | Mary Legree (Video 10) |
| Box 4 | Folder 28 | Fannie Woodley (Video 14) |
| Box 4 | Folder 33 | Elizabeth Hudson Tatum (Video 16, 19, 20) |
| Box 4 | Folder 34 | John Wesley Husdon (Video 16) |
| Box 4 | Folder 36 | William J. Hudson (Video 18, 19) |
Video Tapes, Oral History Interview Transcriptions (closed to researchers)
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Wetzel Connie Sr., and Curtis Stevens (Video 2) |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Lorraine Heflin (Video 3) |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Julia Fairfax (Video 3) |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Alice McGrath (Video 4) |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Group interview with Willie Box, Camille Lilly, Elizabeth Glasco, Melvin Warfield, Dexter Watson (Video 6) |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Margery Jones (Video 7) |
| Box 4 | Folder 13 | Margaret Wheeler (Video 8) |
| Box 4 | Folder 14 | Julia Fairfax (Video 8) |
| Box 4 | Folder 20 | Mary Alice Henry (Video 11) |
| Box 4 | Folder 21 | Vivian Hicks (Video # 11) |
| Box 4 | Folder 22 | Deborah Lynette Fletcher Beverly (Video 11) |
| Box 4 | Folder 23 | John William O’Quinn (Video 12) |
| Box 4 | Folder 24 | Cleodia Dawkins O’Quinn (Video 12) |
| Box 4 | Folder 25 | Pearl Showers (Video 13) |
| Box 4 | Folder 26 | Delores Nance (Video 13) |
| Box 4 | Folder 27 | Art Brown (Video 13) |
| Box 4 | Folder 29 | Lorraine Steele, Lin Von Dreele, and Muriel Wilson (Video 14) |
| Box 4 | Folder 30 | Pearl Showers (Video 14) |
| Box 4 | Folder 31 | Lela Lewis Hayes (Video 15) |
| Box 4 | Folder 32 | Anthony Burroughs (Video 15) |
| Box 4 | Folder 35 | Lela Lewis Hayes (Video 16) |
Audio Cassettes ‒ Oral History Interviews (closed to researchers)
| Tape 1 | Banks, Leonard (age 87), October 19, 1984 |
| Tape 2 | Caldwell, Rosetta Taylor (age 73), January 29, 1985 |
| Tape 3 | Campbell, Rev. Frank (age 62), January 24, 1985 |
| Tape 4 | Cunning, Ora (age 75), November 7, 1984 |
| Tape 5 | Easton, Pearl, February 1, 1985 |
| Tape 6 | Flint, Troy |
| Tape 7 | Jordan, Mildred |
| Tape 8 | Ridley, Rachel |
| Tape 9 | Scott, Mary (age 76), October 31, 1984 |
| Tape 10 | Stephens, Curtis, August 26, 1984 |
| Tape 11 | Tatum, Elizabeth 1984 Nov 21 |
| Tape 12 | Woodley, Fannie |
| Tape 13 | Whaley, Belle |
| Tape 14 | (unidentified) |
| Tape 15 | November 10, 1984 Program: Part 1 |
| Tape 16 | November 10, 1984 Program: Part 2 |
| Tape 17 | November 10, 1984 Program: Part 3 |
| Tape 18 | November 10, 1984 Program: Part 4 |
| Tape 19 | February 9, 1985 Program: Part 1 |
| Tape 20 | February 9, 1985 Program: Part 2 |
| Tape 21 | February 9, 1985 Program: Part 3 |
| Tape 22 | February 9, 1985 Program: Part 4 |
Supplement 2
Audio Cassettes ‒ Oral History Interviews (closed to researchers)
| Tape 23 | Interview: La Julia Rhea, July 29, 1986 |
| Tape 24 | Interview: Arthur D. Griffin |
| Tape 25 | Interview: Mrs. H.A. Sanders, 1986 |
| Tape 26 | Interview: “Blind” John Davis, circa 1980 |
| Tape 27 | Funeral Service: “Blind” John Davis, undated |
Photographs (Index by series follows this listing)
*Accession number assigned by Bethel New Life that was not a photographic item.
| Photograph 1.1 | Willie P. and Harold Cherry (mother and son), circa 1907 |
| Photograph 1.2 | * |
| Photograph 1.3 | James Cherry (painter/plasterer), circa 1930s |
| Photograph 1.4 | Willie P. Cherry and friend, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 1.5 | Fannie S. and Ernest J. Cherry, circa 1900 |
| Photograph 1.6 | James Cherry and friend, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 1.7 | Unidentified Cherry family member, undated (tintype) |
| Photograph 1.8 | [Brother of Wiley Cherry], undated (carte d’visite) |
| Photograph 1.9 | Wiley Cherry family, undated (missing) |
| Photograph 1.10 | Hattie Curry Bennett, undated |
| Photograph 1.11 | Wiley Cherry family, circa 1903 |
| Photograph 1.12 | [Cherry family], undated (tintype) |
| Photograph 1.13 | * |
| Photograph 1.14 | Wiley and Willie Cherry and friends, Riverview Amusement Park, 1914 |
| Photograph 1.15 | * |
| Photograph 1.16 | * |
| Photograph 1.17 | Ernest D. Cherry, 1923 |
| Photograph 1.18 | Ernest D. Cherry (in army uniform), 1944 |
| Photograph 1.19 | Lorraine Cherry (Heflin), 1924 |
| Photograph 1.20 | Carl Cherry, 1925 |
| Photograph 1.21 | George Burleson II |
| Photograph 1.22 | George Burleson II and friends (in army uniforms), 1950s |
| Photograph 1.23 | Cherry family, 1915 |
| Photograph 1.24 | Nellie Queen Marsh (engagement photo), 1925 |
| Photograph 1.25 | Mattie and Aletha Marsh Cherry, 1920 |
| Photograph 1.26 | Wiley, Willie P. and Harold Cherry, 1920 |
| Photograph 1.27 | Marjorie Garner Love, 1955 |
| Photograph 1.28 | Marjorie Garner Love, 1990 |
| Photograph 2.1 | Aubrey and Phamie Russell, circa 1910 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.2 | Eddie Johnson, circa 1918 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.3 | Kenneth and Rudolph Johnson, circa 1933 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.4 | John Slaughter’s Barbershop/Peter Showers’ Poolroom, circa 1933 |
| Photograph 2.5 | Johnson’s Hat Shop, ca. 1939 |
| Photograph 2.6 | Ticket to Third Annual Breakfast Dance, 1936 |
| Photograph 2.7 | Advertisement for Pre-Thanksgiving Dance, 1950 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.8 | Ticket for Pre-Thanksgiving Dance, 1950 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.9 | First Grade, Brown School (1800 W. Warren), 1937 |
| Photograph 2.10 | Charlene Guy, birthday party (2001 W. Lake Street), circa 1946 |
| Photograph 2.11 | Gertrude Russell and Mark Upchurch (wedding photo), 1933 |
| Photograph 2.12 | Johnson’s Hat Shop (interior), undated |
| Photograph 2.13 | Eddie Johnson and John Palmer, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.14 | Eddie Johnson, circa 1917 (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.15 | Johnson’s Hat Cleaners (2007 W. Lake Street), circa 1938 |
| Photograph 2.16 | Johnson’s Hat Cleaners (2007 W. Lake Street), circa 1938 |
| Photograph 2.17 | Eddie Johnson working on railroad, Memphis, TN, circa 1910s (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.18 | Urban League (or NAACP) picnic, 1930s (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.19 | Mr. Showers (father-in-law of Pearl Johnson Showers), circa 1930s (negative only) |
| Photograph 2.20 | Advertisement for Martins Corner (1900 W. Lake Street), 1930s |
| Photograph 2.21 | Pearl Johnson Showers (r), Vivian Fairman (l) and Bo Mitchell, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 3.1 | * |
| Photograph 3.2 | * |
| Photograph 3.3 | Club Nostros Nos, 1935 |
| Photograph 3.4 | * |
| Photograph 3.5 | Katherine Jones Clark (Flower High School graduation), 1935 |
| Photograph 3.6 | Crane High School senior prom, 1935 |
| Photograph 3.7 | Katherine Jones Clark (wedding photo), 1938 |
| Photograph 3.8 | Mary Alice Golden and Katherine Jones Clark at the Ritz Lounge (43rd Street near South Parkway), 1943 |
| Photograph 3.9 | Ray Clark at the Goodyear Store (East Avenue and Madison, Oak Park, IL), circa 1936 |
| Photograph 3.10 | Birthday party of Katherine Clark’s daughter |
| Photograph 4.1 | * |
| Photograph 4.2 | Stone Temple Baptist Church (2nd Timothy Baptist Church), circa 1936 |
| Photograph 4.3 | Stone Temple Baptist Church office, with Martin Luther King, Jr., 1960s |
| Photograph 4.4 | Stone Temple Baptist Church sanctuary, with Martin Luther King, Jr. 1960s |
| Photograph 5.1 | Lizzie and Jesse Johnson II, circa 1919 |
| Photograph 5.2 | Jesse Johnson home (118 S. Irving), undated |
| Photograph 5.3 | Jesse Johnson home (118 S. Irving), undated |
| Photograph 5.4 | Jesse and Shirley Johnson in Ford motor car, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 5.5 | Willie, Delia and Johnson Hudson (McKinley High School graduation), 1918 |
| Photograph 5.6 | Jesse Johnson and family in Idlewild, Michigan, circa 1916 |
| Photograph 5.7 | Providence Baptist Church ushers (missing) |
| Photograph 5.8 | Providence Baptist Church board (missing) |
| Photograph 5.9 | William Johnson (one of the first African American policeman in Chicago), 1903 |
| Photograph 5.10 | Mrs. Jesse Johnson and family, circa 1912 |
| Photograph 5.11 | Cecilia Johnson (married 1867) with daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter, circa 1910 |
| Photograph 5.12 | Jesse Johnson Sr., with grandchildren, 1923 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.13 | Jimmy Hudson, Hudson’s Quality Record Shop (147 N. Oakley), circa 1948 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.14 | Mr. And Raleigh Lambert (newspaper clipping regarding St. Stephen’s Church), 1938 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.15 | Johnson family, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.16a | 306 Leavitt (roof, corner of Fulton and Leavitt Streets), undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.16b | Leavitt Street, looking toward Fulton Avenue, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.16c | Fulton Street (baseball lot), undated |
| Photograph 5.16d | Hayes Grammar School, undated |
| Photograph 5.17 | Neal Green, with saxophone, 1949 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.18 | Hudson Bicycle Station (Leavitt and Lake Streets), circa 1938 |
| Photograph 5.19 | Oscar Larkin, drummer, 1949 |
| Photograph 5.20 | William J. Hudson, 1930 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.21 | Original Providence Baptist Church, Junior and Senior Deacon Boards, circa 1940 (negative only) |
| Photograph 5.22 | Johnson family member on bicycle, 1918 |
| Photograph 5.23 | Jesse Johnson, circa 1915 |
| Photograph 6.1 | Central Memorial Church: Rev. Richard H. Dixon, Sr., founder, undated |
| Photograph 6.2 | Central Memorial Church: Rev. Arthur Hubbard, Jr., pastor, undated |
| Photograph 6.3 | Central Memorial Church: Rosalee Wells, founding member, undated |
| Photograph 6.4 | Central Memorial Church, Mr. Wells, founding member, undated |
| Photograph 7.xx | No photos this number range |
| Photograph 8.1 | 8th Illinois Infantry, Black regiment in the Spanish American War, circa 1898 (fragile: issue copy print) |
| Photograph 8.2 | Mr. Simon (Austin High School football player), 1941 |
| Photograph 8.3 | Business card for the Jackson Brothers General Teaming and Licensed Night Scavengers, circa 1920s |
| Photograph 8.4 | John Shelton (Chicago policeman), circa 1895 |
| Photograph 8.5 | Ike Jackson [?], circa 1885 |
| Photograph 8.6 | Henry Jackson (Chicago policeman), circa 1900 |
| Photograph 8.7 | Fred Simons and Arthur Jackson, with pony at Columbus Park (family business), 1920s |
| Photograph 8.8 | Mrs. Meaux, undated |
| Photograph 8.9 | Ginnie Epp Jackson (part Native American; married Andrew Jackson, former slave), undated |
| Photograph 8.10 | Cora Jackson, circa 1890 |
| Photograph 8.11 | Miss Epp (sister of Ginnie Jackson), circa 1890 |
| Photograph 8.12 | Clara Shelton, undated |
| Photograph 8.13 | Mr. Shelton (Columbian Guard, World’s Columbian Exposition), 1893 |
| Photograph 8.14 | Great-Aunt Shelton, circa 1885 |
| Photograph 8.15 | Jackson family at World’s Columbian Exposition, 1893 |
| Photograph 8.16 | Austin North Branch School (Key School, Waller and Race Streets), circa 1890 |
| Photograph 8.17 | Ade Jackson at Camp Lincoln, 1897 |
| Photograph 8.18 | Ade Jackson with African American military squad in Cuba, 1898 |
| Photograph 8.19 | Mr. Shelton (of St. Louis), undated |
| Photograph 8.20 | Mr. Shelton (of St. Louis, Spanish-American War soldier), undated |
| Photograph 8.21 | Another Mr. Shelton (of St. Louis, also a soldier), undated |
| Photograph 8.22 | Zechial Jackson (in Masonic garb), undated |
| Photograph 8.23 | Son of Frank Shelton, “the desperado” (from Oklahoma), undated |
| Photograph 8.24 | Frank Shelton, “the desperado” (from Oklahoma), undated |
| Photograph 8.25 | Bell Shelton (in cowgirl outfit), circa 1900 |
| Photograph 8.26 | Frank Shelton |
| Photograph 8.27 | Mr. Shelton (of St. Louis, Spanish-American War soldier), 1898 |
| Photograph 8.28 | Son of Frank Shelton, undated |
| Photograph 8.29 | Black military unit in camp, 1906 |
| Photograph 8.30 | Cora Jackson, circa 1910 |
| Photograph 8.31 | Austin High School graduating class, 1911 |
| Photograph 8.32 | Austin High School football team, Cook County Champs, 1898 (oversize) |
| Photograph 8.33 | Austin High School football team, 1908 |
| Photograph 8.34 | Certificate promoting A.D. Jackson to Corporal, 1898 (negative only) |
| Photograph 8.35 | Mr. Shelton (in Masonic garb), undated |
| Photograph 8.36 | * |
| Photograph 8.37 | Unidentified man, circa 1870 (tintype) |
| Photograph 8.38 | * |
| Photograph 8.39 | Austin First Methodist Church, circa 1912 |
| Photograph 8.40 | Simon Peter Jackson (aged 107 years), 1985 |
| Photograph 8.41 | * |
| Photograph 8.42 | * |
| Photograph 8.43 | Mr. Shelton (guard at World’s Columbian Exposition), 1893 |
| Photograph 8.44 | Unidentified evangelist, pastor of Black church, that brought Andrew Peter Jackson to Austin, circa 1870 |
| Photograph 8.45 | Unidentified woman, circa 1870 (tintype) |
| Photograph 9.1 | Louis and Amanda Connie at home (2302 W. Fulton), circa 1940 |
| Photograph 9.2 | Alice McGrath, undated |
| Photograph 9.3 | * |
| Photograph 9.4 | Mrs. Lewis Connie and sisters, circa 1950 |
| Photograph 9.5 | John McGrath and Wetzel Connie, undated |
| Photograph 10.1 | Lonnie Connie, at the family cabin in Paris, Tenn., 1935 |
| Photograph 10.2 | Wolves’ Athletic Club (later the Regulars Social Club), 1935 |
| Photograph 10.3 | Wetzel Connie and wife, circa 1945 |
| Photograph 11.1 | * |
| Photograph 11.2 | * |
| Photograph 11.3 | * |
| Photograph 11.4 | * |
| Photograph 11.5 | Slater School in Birmingham, Alabama, circa 1905 |
| Photograph 11.6 | Troy and Rosa Lee Mitchell Dandridge |
| Photograph 11.7 | Rosa Lee Mitchell Dandridge, circa 1916 |
| Photograph 11.8 | Eastern Star chapter, 1965 |
| Photograph 12.1 | Lawndale Baptist Church (3721 W. Roosevelt), circa 1952-1954 (negative only) |
| Photograph 12.2 | Lawndale Interracial Missionary Baptist Church (1253 S. Kedzie, first church in Lawndale/Garfield Park for African Americans), 1943 |
| Photograph 12.3 | * |
| Photograph 12.4 | * |
| Photograph 12.5 | * |
| Photograph 12.6 | Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, with Mahalia Jackson (soloist), 1967 |
| Photograph 12.7 | Mahalia Jackson and others at the Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, 1967 |
| Photograph 12.8 | * |
| Photograph 12.9 | Lawndale Interracial Missionary Baptist Church delegation at the Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, 1967 |
| Photograph 12.10 | Audience at the Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, 1967 |
| Photograph 12.11 | * |
| Photograph 12.12 | * |
| Photograph 12.13 | Mahalia Jackson singing at the Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, 1967 |
| Photograph 12.14 | Mahalia Jackson and others singing at the Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League testimonial dinner, 1967 |
| Photograph 12.15 | * |
| Photograph 12.16 | * |
| Photograph 12.17 | * |
| Photograph 12.18 | * |
| Photograph 12.19 | Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League ceremony honoring Percy Julian, undated |
| Photograph 12.20 | Lawndale Ministers’ Civic League ceremony honoring Thomas P. Stafford, astronaut, undated |
| Photograph 12.21 | Better Boys Foundation board meeting |
| Photograph 12.22 | * |
| Photograph 12.23 | * |
| Photograph 12.24 | * |
| Photograph 12.25 | Rev. Curtis S. Hampton, P.R. Cullerton, Mayor Richard J. Daley, undated |
| Photograph 12.26 | John O’Quinn, Triple Q Barber Shop (1218 S. Central Park Avenue) |
| Photograph 12.27 | [Unidentified] |
| Photograph 12.28 | Rev. Curtis S. Hampton |
| Photograph 12.29 | Michael J. Howlett and Curtis S. Hampton |
| Photograph 12.30 | Richard J. Daley with group, including Rev. Hampton, in Mayor’s Office, undated |
| Photograph 13.1 | Taylor Family, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 13.2 | Henrietta Taylor, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 13.3 | Good Friend Social Club (Walls Chapel Church, Francisco and Washington Streets), 1959 (negative only) |
| Photograph 13.4 | 1800 W. Maypole Street, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 13.5 | Vivian Taylor Fairman, with sister, 1954 |
| Photograph 14.1 | Old Friends Baptist Church senior choir, 1930s |
| Photograph 14.2 | * |
| Photograph 14.3 | Fannie Winstead (b. Tennessee, d. Chicago in 1922), undated |
| Photograph 14.4 | Samuella Henderson (1885-1983), undated |
| Photograph 14.5 | Williemay Smith Carlos, circa 1900 |
| Photograph 14.6 | Clara and Wilburn Carlos, circa 1924 |
| Photograph 14.7 | Williemay Smith Carlos, circa 1924 |
| Photograph 14.8 | Samuella Henderson and Williemay Smith Carlos, 1980 |
| Photograph 14.9 | William Henderson (in army uniform), undated |
| Photograph 14.10 | * |
| Photograph 14.11 | Samuella Henderson, 1930s |
| Photograph 15.1 | George Harris, Dearborn Real Estate Board, 1950s |
| Photograph 15.2 | Langston Hughes and Fannie Woodley, 1950s |
| Photograph 15.3 | Golfing group at the Tam O. Shanter Country Club, circa 1951 |
| Photograph 15.4 | Victory Singers (missing) |
| Photograph 15.5 | The Debutantes Social Club, circa 1950 |
| Photograph 15.6 | West Side Women’s Federated Club |
| Photograph 15.7 | Saddle and Cycle Club, 1950s |
| Photograph 15.8 | Robert George Woodley and Fannie Geralgean Butler wedding (St. Stephen’s Church, 2000 W. Washington Street), 1944 |
| Photograph 15.9 | * |
| Photograph 15.10 | Veterans’ Administration War Bond Office, Christmas 1949 |
| Photograph 15.11 | * |
| Photograph 15.12 | Arburnia Calhoun Butler and Catherine Calhoun, in Arkansas, 1940s |
| Photograph 15.13 | Calhoun family in Dermott, Arkansas, 1948 |
| Photograph 15.14 | Calhoun family in Chicago, 1964 |
| Photograph 15.15 | Calhoun family in Dermott, Arkansas, 1948 |
| Photograph 15.16 | Criterion Club, St. Stephens Church, undated |
| Photograph 15.17 | Woodley Realty Company (3026 W. Warren), undated |
| Photograph 15.18 | Fannie Woodley with first car, 1949 |
| Photograph 15.19 | Fannie Woodley en route to the Graemere Hotel, 1962 |
| Photograph 15.20 | * |
| Photograph 15.21 | Fannie Woodley and family, 1977 |
| Photograph 15.22 | * |
| Photograph 15.23 | * |
| Photograph 15.24 | Chicago Urban League, Women’s Division, 1978 |
| Photograph 16.1 | Boy Scout Troop #1361, Archie Brown, troop leader, 1972 |
| Photograph 17.1 | Christiana Avenue property (negative only) |
| Photograph 17.2 | 1652 W. Monroe Street (negative only) |
| Photograph 17.3 | 1813 W. Warren Boulevard (negative only) |
| Photograph 17.4 | The Colonial Room, Boulevard Hotel (2801 W. Warren Boulevard), undated |
| Photograph 17.5 | Bedroom, Boulevard Hotel, undated |
| Photograph 17.6 | Exterior, Boulevard Hotel, circa 1948 |
| Photograph 17.7 | Walter (Chef), Boulevard Hotel, undated |
| Photograph 17.8 | Vi Burnside and her All-Stars, Boulevard Hotel, 1940s (negative only) |
| Photograph 17.9 | Birthday party of Julia Fairfax (owner), Boulevard Hotel, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 17.10 | Blind John Davis and Baron Lee in performance, Boulevard Hotel, 1940s |
| Photograph 18.1 | Connie family, circa 1925 |
| Photograph 18.2 | Hurley Porter, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 18.3 | Anis Connie Porter, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 18.4 | Porter family, undated (negative only) |
| Photograph 19.1 | Rachel Rebecca Ridley (b. 1911) |
| Photograph 20.xx | No photos this number range |
Photographs ‒ Project Celebration Display, February 9, 1985
| Photograph 21.1 | Business, 1930-1940 |
| Photograph 21.2 | O’Quinn family |
| Photograph 21.3 | Housing |
| Photograph 21.4 | West Side Churches |
| Photograph 21.5 | Four Generations (Samuella Henderson and descendants) |
| Photograph 21.6 | Connie family |
| Photograph 21.7 | Education |
| Photograph 21.8 | West Side Community leaders (see also 21.9, 21.10) |
| Photograph 21.9 | * |
| Photograph 21.10 | * |
| Photograph 21.11 | Chicago Defender news clipping, 1913 |
| Photograph 21.12 | Stephens Sisters Quintet |
| Photograph 21.13 | Bethel Lutheran Church |
| Photograph 21.14 | Transitions: From the South to Chicago |
| Photograph 21.15 | Arriving in Chicago |
| Photograph 21.16 | Wiley Cherry family |
| Photograph 21.17 | Tying the Knot |
| Photograph 21.18 | Collecting the People’s History |
| Photograph 21.19 | Businesses |
| Photograph 21.20 | Churches |
| Photograph 21.21 | Andrew Jackson family |
| Photograph 21.22 | Steppin’ Out |
| Photograph 21.23 | In Uniform |
| Photograph 21.24 | Wiley Cherry family |
| Photograph 22.1 | Eddie South (b. 1904) |
| Photograph 23.1 | Original Providence Baptist Church (Jackson and Wolcott), 1968 |
| Photograph 25.1 | St. Agatha’s Church exterior, undated |
| Photograph 25.2 | St. Agatha’s Church exterior, undated |
Photographs: Series Index
Biographical (Portraits/Family Photos)
| Biographical | 1.1, 1.3-1.12, 1.14, 1.17-1.26 |
| Biographical | 2.1-2.3, 2.10-2.11, 2.13-2.14, 2.17, 2.19, 2.21 |
| Biographical | 3.5, 3.7, 3.10 |
| Biographical | 5.1-5.6, 5.9-5.12, 5.14-5.15, 5.17, 5.19-5.20, 5.22-5.23 |
| Biographical | 8.4-8.15, 8.19, 8.23-8.26, 8.28, 8.30, 8.37, 8.40, 8.43-8.45 |
| Biographical | 9.2, 9.4, 9.5 |
| Biographical | 10.1, 10.3 |
| Biographical | 11.6, 11.7 |
| Biographical | 12.25, 12.27, 12.28, 12.30 |
| Biographical | 13.1-13.2, 13.5 |
| Biographical | 14.3-14.9, 14.11 |
| Biographical | 15.2-15.3, 15.12-15.15, 15.18-15.19, 15.21 |
| Biographical | 18.1-18.4 |
| Biographical | 19.1 |
| Biographical | 22.1 |
Business Establishments
| Business | 2.4-2.5, 2.12, 2.15-2.16, 2.20 |
| Business | 3.8-3.9 |
| Business | 5.13, 5.18 |
| Business | 8.3 |
| Business | 12.26 |
| Business | 15.1, 15.10, 15.17 |
| Business | 17.4-17.10 |
Religious Institutions
| Religious Institutions | 4.2-4.4 |
| Religious Institutions | 5.7-5.8, 5.21 |
| Religious Institutions | 6.1-6.4 |
| Religious Institutions | 8.39 |
| Religious Institutions | 12.1-12.2, 12.6-12.20 |
| Religious Institutions | 14.1 |
| Religious Institutions | 15.6 |
| Religious Institutions | 23.1 |
| Religious Institutions | 25.1-25.2 |
Clubs and Organizations
| Religious Institutions | 2.6-2.8, 2.18 |
| Religious Institutions | 8.22, 8.35 |
| Religious Institutions | 10.2 |
| Religious Institutions | 11.8 |
| Religious Institutions | 12.1-12.2, 12.6-12.20 |
| Religious Institutions | 13.3 |
| Religious Institutions | 15.3, 15.5-15.7, 15.24 |
| Religious Institutions | 16.1 |
Residences
| Residences | 9.1 |
| Residences | 17.1-17.3 |
Schools
| Schools | 2.9 |
| Schools | 3.6 |
| Schools | 5.16d |
| Schools | 8.2, 8.16, 8.31-8.33 |
| Schools | 11.5 |
Streets
| Schools | 5.16a-15.6c |
| Schools | 13.4 |
Wartime
| Schools | 8.1, 8.17-8.18, 8.20-8.21, 8.27, 8.29, 8.34 |
Miscellaneous (Project Celebration Display)
| Project Celebration | 21.1-21.24 |
