Showing 47 results

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.

AC.7.A.4.1.2-AC.7.A.4.1.4

This collection, titled Florida’s Black Junior Colleges, spans the years 1943–2012, with the bulk of materials concentrated between 1958 and 1966. The collection documents the lives, administration, and institutional development of Black junior colleges in Florida that operated primarily from the late 1940s through their closure in 1966 during the era of desegregation. It provides insight into the educational experiences of students, as well as the professional and administrative networks that sustained these institutions.

The collection consists of a wide variety of paper-based and photographic materials, including agendas, applications, correspondence, directories, meeting minutes, memoranda, reports, newsletters, programs, speeches, yearbooks, and photographs. Also included are items such as guidebooks, maps, manuals, musical compositions, poems, resolutions, and personnel records. These materials reflect both the daily operations and broader cultural and academic environments of the institutions.

Of particular significance is a comprehensive study conducted by Dr. Walter L. Smith titled “A Study of Black Junior Colleges in Florida 1957–1966,” which documents key events, institutional challenges, and the lasting impact of these colleges on students, faculty, and surrounding communities. The collection also contains extensive correspondence that highlights collaboration among administrators, educators, and state officials during a pivotal period in Florida’s educational history.

Arranged across three boxes, the collection captures themes of education, segregation, integration, and desegregation within the state of Florida, with a strong emphasis on the role of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their junior college counterparts. The materials provide valuable context for understanding the transition from segregated educational systems to integrated institutions and the effects of these changes on Black communities.

Location: AC.7.A.4.3.1 - AC.7.A.4.3.2

The Florida State Teachers Association Collection documents the activities and advocacy of the Florida State Teachers Association (FSTA), a professional organization composed of African American educators, administrators, school staff, and parents across the state of Florida. The materials date from 1957 to 1963, a critical period during the Civil Rights Movement when Black teachers and educational leaders actively confronted systemic inequality within segregated school systems.

During this era, African American educators faced widespread discrimination, including unequal pay, limited resources, and underfunded schools. In response, members of the FSTA organized collectively to advocate for improved working conditions, equitable educational opportunities for Black students, and broader social change. The association served not only as a professional network but also as a platform for activism, positioning educators at the forefront of efforts to challenge segregation and promote civil rights.

The collection consists of organizational and administrative records that reflect the operations and impact of the association. Materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, conference and workshop documentation, reports, and publications that highlight the planning and execution of statewide initiatives. These records illustrate collaboration among educators and community stakeholders, as well as the development of strategies aimed at addressing disparities in education.

Collectively, the Florida State Teachers Association Collection provides valuable insight into the role of Black educators as advocates for equity and justice in mid-twentieth-century Florida. The materials underscore the importance of professional organizations in advancing civil rights and demonstrate the lasting impact of the FSTA’s efforts to improve educational access and opportunities for African American communities.

Location: AC.6.A.1.3.2 - AC.6.A.1.6.4

The Florida Counties Black Community News Collection consists of twenty boxes of materials documenting African American community life across Florida through local newspaper coverage. The collection contains newspaper articles and advertisements highlighting a wide range of events and experiences, including social gatherings, community programs, obituaries, and wedding announcements.

The materials are organized by county, providing a geographically structured view of Black life in various regions throughout the state. This arrangement allows for comparative research and offers insight into both shared and unique community experiences across Florida.

The collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding the social, cultural, and personal histories of African American communities, capturing everyday moments that are often underrepresented in traditional historical records. Through its focus on local news and announcements, the collection preserves the voices, relationships, and milestones that shaped community identity and cohesion across generations.

Location: AC.7.A.3.5.1 - AC.7.A.3.6.1

The Florida African American History Education Task Force Files document the development, implementation, and advancement of statewide initiatives to incorporate African American history into Florida’s public school curriculum. The materials date from 1995 to 2003 and are closely tied to the legislative mandate established by the State of Florida in 1994 through Florida Statute 1003.42, which required the teaching of the history, culture, experiences, and contributions of African Americans in K–12 education.

Following the passage of this legislation, the African American History Task Force (AAHTF) was established to ensure the effective execution and sustainability of this mandate. The Task Force played a central role in guiding curriculum development, supporting teacher training, and promoting educational equity through the integration of African American history across grade levels. Grant-supported initiatives were also developed under the Task Force’s direction to provide resources, workshops, and programming aligned with the original intent of the statute.

The collection consists of administrative and programmatic records that reflect the operations and impact of the Task Force. Materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, grant documentation, curriculum guides, workshop and conference materials, and educational publications. These records highlight collaboration among educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders working to institutionalize African American history education throughout Florida’s school system. The files also document outreach efforts, training sessions for teachers, and the evaluation of program effectiveness.

Collectively, the Florida African American History Education Task Force Files provide valuable insight into the institutionalization of African American history within public education in Florida. The collection underscores the role of legislative action, educational advocacy, and community engagement in shaping inclusive curricula and preserving the historical narratives of African Americans for future generations.

The Florida A&M University Hospital Collection documents the establishment, development, and administration of the Florida A&M College (FAMC) Hospital, later known as the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Hospital. Spanning the mid-twentieth century, this collection provides insight into the critical role the hospital played in serving the African American community during the era of segregation, when access to quality healthcare for Black patients was severely limited in the South.

The materials within this collection highlight the planning and funding efforts that led to the hospital’s creation, including correspondence, financial records, and reports related to state appropriations, community support, and institutional advocacy. Documentation of the building and expansion of the hospital illustrates the physical and infrastructural development of the facility, reflecting broader efforts to improve healthcare access and medical education opportunities for African Americans in Florida.

Additionally, the collection contains administrative records that detail the hospital’s operations, governance, and staff organization. These records may include internal memoranda, policy documents, personnel files, and reports that provide insight into the day-to-day management of the institution. Collectively, these materials offer valuable historical context on the intersection of healthcare, education, and racial inequality, and demonstrate the significance of FAMU Hospital as both a medical facility and a training ground for African American healthcare professionals.

George Whitefield Conoly, (born 1902, died 1980) was instrumental in developing the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association and served Florida A&M University for almost 36 years as executive secretary and director of FAMU Alumni Affairs. He founded the FAMU Alumni Association in 1925 as an unfunded personal project. He spent his free time traveling across the U.S. to meet with alums and build deeper comradery; deeper social, professional, and financial commitment to FAMU; and continued participation in University affairs.

This collection contains alumni chapter meeting records, financial records, photographs, and correspondences from the years George Conoly was most active in build the Florida A&M University alumni network, along with some of the personal effects of George and Eunice Conoly.

AC.2.A.1.5.7

Patricia Stephens Due (1939–2012) was a prominent civil rights activist and leader in the movement for racial equality, particularly in Florida. Born in Quincy, Florida, she became actively involved in the struggle against segregation while a student at Florida A&M University. As a key member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Due helped organize sit-ins and protests, including the historic 1960 Tallahassee “jail-in,” where she and other students chose imprisonment over paying fines for challenging segregation laws.
Throughout her life, Due remained committed to civil rights advocacy, working to desegregate public spaces and increase voter registration among African Americans. She later co-authored Freedom in the Family with her daughter, documenting her experiences in the movement. Her legacy endures as a symbol of courage, resilience, and lifelong dedication to justice.

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/patricia-stephens-due-41

AC.1.B.1.5.4

Dr. Marcus H. Boulware (1899–1990) was a pioneering educator, writer, and public speaking expert who made a lasting impact at Florida A&M University. He served on the faculty for several decades, beginning in the 1920s, and became widely known for his work in speech, drama, and communication.

Boulware was instrumental in developing FAMU’s speech and drama programs and was a strong advocate for effective communication as a tool for leadership and social advancement. Beyond the classroom, he authored numerous books and guides on public speaking, etiquette, and personal development, many of which were widely used by students and community members.

Through his teaching, writing, and mentorship, Dr. Boulware influenced generations of students, helping them build confidence, professionalism, and strong communication skills. His legacy remains an important part of FAMU’s academic and cultural history.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED095604.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

AC.1.B.1.4.6 - AC.1.B.1.4.7
Dr. Lua Stewart Bartley was an influential FAMU health and physical education professor. Throughout her career, Dr. Bartley was dedicated to promoting literacy, higher education, and professional development, particularly within historically Black colleges and universities. Her work reflects a commitment to preserving knowledge and expanding opportunities for future generations of scholars.