Last week I concentrated on processing the National Baptist Sanitarium and Bathhouse project. This bathhouse was both a hospital and hotel for African Americans in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in the mid-twentieth century. The records indicate that the building was remodeled by the McKissacks in the late 1940s for the National Baptist Association. Included in this subseries is a brochure of the bathhouse as well as a postcard of the building. Most of the records I have processed so far are financial records, correspondence, and various vendors used for the remodeling. This project is unique in the amount of correspondence it contains. Most of the other projects do not contain as much correspondence, but the reason may be due to the lengthy communication between the McKissacks and that National Baptist Association after the remodeling was completed.
My goal as of last week was to have this processed by the end of the week. However, a few more boxes containing information relating to this project came to my attention last week so the processing of this section may run into next week. The arrangement based on the College Hill subseries is working very well, so most of the time and effort is going towards cleaning, removing staples and paperclips, and arranging the records into the categories.
Challenges:
These records are particularly dusty and contain many staples. Removing staples is the most time-consuming part of processing because great care must be taken not to tear the already-brittle pages. As I process this collection I am witnessing first-hand how the papers are becoming progressively more dry and brittle so what once might have taken very little time is now taking longer because more care must be taken with the documents to ensure minimal damage.
Video Oral History Evaluation: Honorable Jesse Madison
Last week I also had the opportunity to complete another video oral history evaluation for The HistoryMakers: Honorable Jesse Madison. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he moved to Chicago to attend college to become an accountant. He eventually became involved with politics and became a State Representative before working with Harold Washington’s mayoral administration. At the time of the 2000 interview, Mr. Madison was the President and CEO of the Abraham Lincoln Center, a social service organization that began as a settlement house in 1905.
Other projects: Black History Month
I am currently creating a slideshow to be displayed in the library for Black History Month based on the these provided by ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History): “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.” I plan on including photographs, quotes, and facts relating to the theme as well as a calendar of local events celebrating Black History Month in Nashville. This fun and creative project will be displayed on the first floor of the library throughout February.
Until next time…
Amanda J. Carter
Franklin Library, Fisk University
IMLS HistoryMakers Fellow 2012-2013
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