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Location: AC.2.B.3.2.2- AC.2.B.3.2.5

This collection consists of personal papers from Florida A&M University’s Arthur L. Kidd. Kidd, a native of Pennsylvania, earned a B.A. degree in 1924 from the University of Michigan, and in 1929, a Masters of Arts degree from Columbia University. Kidd also did additional studying at the University of Iowa, Columbia University, and New York University. He began his teaching career at Tuskegee Institute in 1924 before accepting a position at Florida A&M College (FAMCEE) in 1925 as Principal of the High School. Kidd worked at FAMCEE until 1944. During his nineteen years of service to the college, Kidd worked in numerous positions, including: Head of the Department of History, Acting Director of the Extension Division, Acting Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and College Registrar. In October 1944, Kidd left his position at FAMCEE to work with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, where he worked in various capacities in Washington, D.C., and abroad in locations including France, Germany, and Holland. He returned to the United States in 1950 and worked for a year at Maryland State College before accepting a second appointment at FAMCEE in 1951 as Director of the Division of Social Studies. Upon the college reaching university status in 1954, in the academic re-organization, Kidd consequently became the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Until 1969, he served FAMU in various capacities, including director of institutional studies and director of university administrative planning.

The material type in this collection were mainly magazines, news articles, and news clippings from 1949-19687 that followed local and national events affecting Negro people and occurrences impacting their lives. The records of this collection are especially important and informative in that they as resources that document firsthand the many historic events that occurred during the American Negro Civil Rights Years. Most of the records document the passing of school integration and public desegregation legislation, mass boycotts, sit-ins, and other forms of protest, as well as the brutal, nationwide social turbulence that accompanied this period. Additionally, a small amount of materials related to Kidd's instructional duties at FAMU are included.

Biographical data and inclusive subjects were acquired from Murell Dawson circa 2002.

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.

Special Message on Civil Rights to the Congress of the United States

This box provides a focused view of Davis’s contributions within the broader historical context of African American military service during segregation, as well as the continued efforts to honor his legacy at the local, state, and national levels.

The records within this box consist of a variety of formats, including correspondence, legislative recognitions, photographs, news articles, cassette tapes, and official service-related documentation. Early materials dating from the 1940s reflect Davis’s World War II service and include photographic and documentary evidence associated with the Congressional Gold Medal and other recognitions tied to the Montford Point Marines. These records highlight the significance of Davis’s role within one of the first groups of African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps.

Correspondence files within the box provide insight into communication between Davis or his representatives and notable individuals and institutions, including the Marine Corps Archives and various public officials. Legislative recognitions from entities such as the United States Congress, the State of Florida, and the City of Quincy further emphasize the long-overdue acknowledgment of Davis’s service and sacrifice. Photographic materials document both his military-related achievements and commemorative events, including images of medals, awards, and presentations involving public figures and family members.

Additional materials, including news articles and cassette tapes, contribute to a broader understanding of how Davis’s story has been preserved, interpreted, and shared over time. The inclusion of official service records and undated photographs provides further documentation of his military experience and personal life. Collectively, these materials illustrate the enduring impact of Davis’s service, as well as the evolving recognition of Montford Point Marines in American history.

The records in Box 1 are arranged by subject and record type, with files organized alphabetically and materials within files arranged chronologically where applicable. This organization facilitates access while preserving the contextual relationships between documents. As a cohesive unit, Box 1 serves as a significant resource for researchers examining African American military history, World War II service, and the legacy of the Montford Point Marines.

The materials in Box 2 of the Attorney Joseph Gibbs Collection document his continued legal research and advocacy related to education and civil rights, with records dating from 1967 to 1978. This box consists of twenty-seven folders containing court case materials, publications, Black college research logs, and special reports from the White House, all of which reflect Gibbs’ involvement in the analysis and development of policies affecting higher education and desegregation efforts.

The court case files provide documentation of significant legal decisions and proceedings related to school integration and equal educational opportunity, while the publications and reports offer broader context on national and regional policy discussions. The inclusion of Black college research logs highlights Gibbs’ systematic study of historically Black colleges and universities during a period when many faced restructuring, consolidation, or closure.

The folders within this box are arranged in alphabetical order, allowing for organized access by subject and record type. Collectively, Box 2 complements the correspondence and legal materials found in Box 1 by providing deeper insight into Gibbs’ research, policy engagement, and contributions to the advancement of civil rights and educational equity.