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Location: AC.2.A.3.6.1

Attorney Joseph Gibbs was a law professor and professor of political science at Florida A&M College. In the early 1950s, when the Florida A&M College of Law was first established, he served as the Librarian for the Law School. He would later serve as an associate professor of law. When the FAMU College of Law closed in 1986, Gibbs served as an associate professor of political science and public management. During the period of racial desegregation and school integration, Gibbs served on numerous legal committees and research teams such as the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), in efforts of devising and monitoring desegregation programs that were fair and equitable to all citizens, especially African Americans.

Gibbs was born in Caroline County, Maryland, and attended school in Chester, Pennsylvania. He attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland, where he studied education and economics. He served in the United States military during World War II and afterward enrolled at St. Johns University Law School, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1949. Gibbs also earned a master's degree from Temple University, where he majored in public administration and economics. He and his wife Cordelia lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, before he began his teaching career at FAMCEE. Gibbs retired from FAMU in 1982 and lived in Clearwater, Florida, until his death in the mid-1990s.

The records in this collection consist of the professional papers of Attorney Joseph Gibbs. The records include correspondence, court cases, publications, reports and research logs. The documents reflect Gibbs' legal activities and work regarding school integration at the college level during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The main threat and growing trend at this time was to close historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and merge them with large white institutions. Numerous public and private HBCUs joined alliances in efforts to retain their sovereignty.

Location: AC.2.B.3.6.2 - AC.3.A.1.2.8

The John F. Matheus Collection documents the life, literary career, and intellectual contributions of John Frederick Matheus, an American writer and scholar associated with the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The materials in this collection date from 1909 to 1983 and provide insight into Matheus’s development as a prominent literary figure known for his short stories, as well as his work in essays, plays, and poetry.

Matheus gained national recognition for his literary achievements, including his short story “Fog,” which won first place in Opportunity magazine’s literary contest in 1925 and was subsequently published in The New Negro. He continued to receive acclaim with his story “Swamp Moccasin,” which earned first prize in The Crisis magazine’s contest in 1926. His writing reflects the broader artistic and cultural movements of the Harlem Renaissance and was influenced by earlier literary figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edgar Allan Poe, Phillis Wheatley, and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

The collection consists of personal papers and literary materials that illustrate both Matheus’s professional accomplishments and personal life. Included are correspondence, original manuscripts, notes, and newspaper articles that document his writing process and engagement with literary communities. Photographs and personal items further contextualize his experiences and relationships within the cultural and intellectual circles of his time.

Collectively, the John F. Matheus Collection provides valuable documentation of an important voice of the Harlem Renaissance and offers researchers insight into early twentieth-century African American literature, artistic expression, and scholarly thought.

Location: AC.3.B.1.3.5 - AC.3.B.1.4.3

Genevieve Josephine Wheeler Thomas (1914–December 24, 2006) was an educator whose career spanned 36 years in the field of home economics. She served as a classroom instructor before becoming Dean of the School of Home Economics, where she played a significant role in advancing academic programming and facilities. During her administration, notable developments included the construction and furnishing of a new Home Economics annex within the Perry-Paige Agriculture and Home Economics Building. She concluded her tenure in 1977 after returning to classroom instruction, leaving a lasting impact on both students and institutional growth.

The Genevieve J. Wheeler Thomas Collection consists of three boxes of materials dating from 1949 to 1960, documenting her professional contributions to education and academic administration. The collection includes instructional materials, meeting minutes, correspondence, and related documents that reflect her work as both an educator and administrator.

These materials provide insight into curriculum development, departmental operations, and the evolution of home economics education during the mid-twentieth century. The collection also highlights Wheeler Thomas’s leadership and involvement in institutional planning, particularly during a period of expansion and modernization. Collectively, the records offer valuable documentation of her career and the broader educational landscape in which she served.

Location: AC.7.A.1.2.2 - AC.7.A.1.5.3

The Black Schools in Florida Collection documents the history, administration, and cultural life of African American education in Florida during the era of segregation and beyond. Comprising twelve boxes of materials, this collection provides rich insight into the development of Black primary and secondary schools, as well as the educators, administrators, and communities that sustained them. The records collectively highlight the structure of segregated schooling, the professional networks of Black educators, and the efforts toward institutional improvement and accreditation.

The collection consists of a wide range of materials, including correspondences, school records, conference records, and publications that reflect the daily operations and broader educational initiatives of Black schools throughout the state. Printed materials such as programs, event programs, yearbooks, newspapers, and school publications illustrate student life, extracurricular activities, and community engagement. Additional items, including certificates of membership, certificates of accreditation, high school diploma covers, plaques, and school emblems, provide evidence of institutional identity, achievement, and recognition.

Educational development and administrative practices are further represented through instructional materials and reports, including a self-study of Nims Middle School, an instructional book for Duval County middle schools, a junior high school handbook, and documentation related to teacher workshops and professional training. The collection also includes records such as a statewide list of Negro principals and materials pertaining to educators in Gadsden County, offering valuable context on leadership and staffing within Black educational institutions. Notably, one empty box labeled “Foreign Affairs” is present, suggesting either removed or relocated materials.

Photographs within the collection visually document school buildings, faculty, students, and events, complementing the textual records and enhancing the historical narrative. Together, these materials provide a comprehensive view of the educational experiences of African American students and educators in Florida, emphasizing both the challenges of segregation and the resilience and accomplishments of Black school communities.

Location: AC.7A.3.1.2- AC.7A.3.2.2

The Central Life Insurance Company of Florida Collection documents the operations, administrative activities, and historical record of the Central Life Insurance Company of Florida through corporate records, certificates, photographs, and ephemera spanning from 1922 to 1987. The collection includes blank certificates, certificates issued to policyholders, stock certificates, occupational licenses, newspaper clippings, and photographic materials documenting company personnel, activities, and community engagement. Together, these materials provide insight into the business practices, visual history, and public presence of the company during the twentieth century.
This collection consists of administrative records, financial documentation, and visual materials related to the Central Life Insurance Company of Florida. The records include blank certificates used by the company, certificates issued to policyholders, occupational licenses, stock certificates, and a stockholders list. The collection also contains newspaper clippings documenting company activities and public recognition. Photographic materials form a significant portion of the collection and include black-and-white prints in various sizes, snapshot photographs, oblong photographs, oversized prints, and photographic negatives depicting company employees, events, and community involvement.

These records provide documentation of the company’s corporate operations as well as its role within the broader community. The materials date from 1922 through 1987 and reflect both the administrative and public-facing aspects of the organization.

The materials are arranged by record type and subject. Administrative documents and certificates appear first, followed by miscellaneous materials and printed ephemera, with photographic materials organized by size and format. Stock certificates and a stockholders list conclude the collection.

The records were processed following a preliminary survey of the materials. Documents were sorted by record type and subject. Rusting hardware was removed, and the materials were rehoused in acid-free folders and archival boxes. The files were arranged alphabetically and by format where appropriate.

The Central Life Insurance Company of Florida records were transferred to the Black Archives from the Florida Department of Insurance.

Location: AC.8.B.4.4.1 - AC.8.B.4.7.1

The Joe Nash Collection documents a range of cultural, social, and media-related materials reflecting aspects of public life and community engagement. The collection includes advertisements, books, magazines, news clippings, newsletters, photographs, programs, and other publications such as theatrical playbills and posters.

These materials provide insight into entertainment, communication, and cultural expression across various contexts. The presence of theatrical playbills, programs, and posters highlights performance and artistic activity, while magazines, newsletters, and news clippings capture contemporary events, trends, and public discourse.

Photographs within the collection offer visual documentation that complements the printed materials, enhancing its research value. Collectively, the Joe Nash Collection preserves a diverse array of media formats, serving as a resource for understanding cultural production and the ways information and experiences were shared within communities.

Location: AC.8.A.2.2.4

The Attorney Armstrong Purdee Collection documents the life, legacy, and historical significance of one of Jackson County’s earliest African American legal professionals. The collection contains photographs, commemorative materials, newspaper articles, publications, and digital resources that highlight Purdee’s professional accomplishments and the lasting impact of his work within the community.

Materials include images of commemorative events, a photograph of Purdee’s gravesite, and newspaper coverage discussing his life and contributions. The collection also contains publications related to African American history in Jackson County, including a family reunion cookbook and a scrapbook documenting the legacy of African Americans in the region.

In addition to printed materials, the collection includes a video link documenting a Black History Month program featuring the Jackson County NAACP and the Jackson County School Board. Together, these materials provide insight into community efforts to preserve the historical legacy of Attorney Armstrong Purdee and the broader history of African American leadership and civic engagement in Jackson County, Florida.

The collection is arranged in a single box and organized by subject and material type, including commemorations, news articles, photographs, and publications related to Attorney Armstrong Purdee.

Location: AC.8.B.1.6.2

This file documents the life, military service, and posthumous recognition of Chester Lee Davis, Sr., one of the pioneering African American Marines trained at Montford Point during World War II. Spanning the years 1942 to 2017, this collection provides valuable insight into both Davis’s individual experiences and the broader historical significance of African American service members who served under segregated conditions in the United States Marine Corps.

Chester Lee Davis, Sr. (1923–1981) was born in Quincy, Florida, to Tommie and Iola Davis and was raised in a large farming family. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, his family relocated to Orlando, Florida. In 1943, at the age of eighteen, Davis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, becoming part of the first generation of African American Marines admitted into service. Due to racial segregation, he trained at Montford Point Camp in North Carolina, a facility established specifically for Black Marines and located near Camp Lejeune, where white Marines trained. Despite facing systemic discrimination and harsh conditions, Davis served with distinction as a member of the 2nd and 3rd Marine Depot Companies. His responsibilities included transporting ammunition and supplies to troops on the frontlines, and he later participated in combat operations throughout the Pacific theater, including assignments in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Okinawa. After completing his service, Davis returned home as a corporal and lived in Gadsden County, Florida, where he raised a family. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 58. In 2011, his service, along with that of fellow Montford Point Marines, was formally recognized when the United States Congress awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal, a distinction signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Donated to the Meek-Eaton Black Archives by Chester L. Davis, Jr. on June 13, 2017, the collection reflects a deliberate effort to preserve and share the legacy of Davis and other Montford Point Marines. The materials within the collection collectively document Davis’s military career, his contributions during World War II, and the national, state, and local recognition he received posthumously. The collection includes correspondence, legislative recognitions from the United States Congress, the State of Florida, and the City of Quincy, news articles, photographs depicting medals, military service, and commemorative events, as well as official service records and cassette tapes. These materials not only highlight Davis’s individual achievements but also situate his experiences within the broader narrative of African American military service and the struggle for equality within the armed forces.

At the time of processing in February 2017, the collection lacked an original order. As a result, the materials were organized by subject matter and date, then arranged alphabetically and housed in acid-free folders within a single archival storage box. Where applicable, items within individual files have been arranged chronologically to preserve contextual relationships. The collection was processed and cataloged by Dr. Murell Dawson, Senior Archivist, with assistance from undergraduate intern Shaarnè Morris, and is currently stored in the archival storage area on the third floor. As a cohesive body of records, this collection provides an important resource for understanding the experiences of Montford Point Marines and the enduring legacy of their service, sacrifice, and recognition within American military and social history.

Location: AC.6.B.1.2.1

The Harper’s Magazine Collection consists of one box of materials spanning the years 1876 to 1965, documenting a significant portion of one of America’s oldest and most influential general-interest monthly publications. Founded in 1850 by the New York publishing firm Harper & Brothers, Harper’s Magazine quickly gained national prominence, with its early issues achieving widespread circulation and establishing the publication as a leading forum for intellectual and cultural discourse.

This collection reflects the magazine’s longstanding commitment to exploring the issues that shape American society through long-form journalism, essays, fiction, and critical commentary. Emphasizing fine writing and original thought, Harper’s Magazine has historically provided readers with insightful perspectives on politics, social conditions, the environment, and cultural life. The materials within this collection illustrate the breadth of topics addressed in the magazine and its role in fostering national conversation across generations.

The collection includes a selection of issues and related materials that highlight contributions from both emerging writers and prominent literary figures. Known for publishing influential voices in American letters, the magazine has featured authors such as Annie Dillard, Barbara Ehrenreich, Jonathan Franzen, Mary Gaitskill, David Foster Wallace, and Tom Wolfe.

Collectively, this collection offers valuable insight into the evolution of American journalism, literary expression, and public discourse from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.