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D. E. Williams Collection
D. E. Williams Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0123

Location: AC.8.A.3.3.1 - AC.8.A.3.4.4

DeWitt Everett Williams served as the State Agent of Negro Schools in Florida from 1927 to 1962 under the Florida Department of Education. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing and supporting the development of African American education during the era of segregation. His work placed him in direct contact with schools across the state, documenting their conditions, operations, and communities during a critical period in the history of public education in Florida.

The D. E. Williams Collection consists of six boxes of materials documenting African American education in Florida during the Jim Crow era. The collection primarily contains photographs of segregated African American schools across the state, reflecting both rural and urban educational environments. These images provide visual documentation of school buildings, classrooms, students, and faculty, offering insight into the conditions and experiences within segregated educational systems.

The photographs are arranged alphabetically by county, facilitating geographic access and highlighting regional differences in school infrastructure and resources. Collectively, the collection serves as an important resource for understanding the historical landscape of African American education in Florida and the broader social and institutional context of segregation in the twentieth century.
Dale Thomas Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0029

AC.3.B.1.1.1 - AC.3.B.1.1.3

Dale Thomas is a Florida A&M University graduate, author, and educator dedicated to preserving the history of Black music and culture. A native of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Thomas attended Florida A&M University beginning in 1980, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. He later obtained master’s degrees in educational administration and leadership and in library and information studies from Florida State University.

Thomas is the author of “Bands on ‘the Hill’: A Pictorial History of Bands at Florida A&M University,” a self-published 236-page book released through his company, Harmonie Publications. The work highlights the legacy of FAMU’s band and instrumental music programs through rare and exclusive photographs, reflecting his passion for African American history and music. Professionally, he serves as an academic advisor at Tallahassee State College, where he continues to support student success while contributing to the preservation of cultural history. https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2024/09/03/dale-thomas-publishes-pictorial-book-to-highlight-famu-bands/74407038007/
Dean Maxwell & Jacqueline Holloway-Thomas
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0010 · Collection · 1941 - 1987

Location: AC.8.B.1.2.1 - AC.8.B.1.2.2

This file documents the life, professional career, and institutional impact of Dean Maxwell S. Thomas, a highly respected educator, administrator, and advocate for students at Florida A&M University. Spanning the years 1941 to 1987, with concentrated materials dating from 1973 to 1983, the collection provides a comprehensive view of Thomas’s contributions to higher education, his involvement in key university initiatives, and his broader engagement with community and professional organizations.

Born on June 24, 1907, in Ocala, Florida, Dean Maxwell S. Thomas served as Dean of Mechanical Arts at Florida A&M University and was widely recognized for his leadership, commitment to student development, and dedication to institutional advancement. The materials within this collection reflect his extensive professional network and influence, including correspondence with university presidents, faculty, and external organizations. His work with entities such as the Orange Blossom Classic Committee and the FAMU Foundation is well represented, illustrating his role in shaping both academic and extracurricular aspects of the university. In addition to documenting his professional achievements, the collection also captures personal dimensions of his life, including biographical materials, handwritten notes, and correspondence addressed to his wife, Jacqueline Holloway-Thomas, particularly letters of condolence following his passing in 1983.

The collection consists of manuscripts, photographs, publications, reports, correspondence, organizational records, programs, and printed materials that collectively highlight Thomas’s contributions to Florida A&M University and the broader educational landscape. These materials include annual and financial reports, institutional evaluations, program development documents, and publications that reflect the evolving priorities of the university during the mid- to late-twentieth century. News articles and obituaries further contextualize his legacy, emphasizing his impact as an educator and leader within the Tallahassee community and beyond.

At the time of processing, the collection had no discernible original order. The materials were therefore reorganized by subject and record type, with correspondences grouped by date and organizational records categorized by affiliated institutions or committees. Items were arranged in both alphabetical and chronological order to enhance accessibility and preserve contextual relationships. The collection was rehoused in acid-free folders and archival boxes, expanding to two boxes totaling approximately one linear foot. Processing also included preparation for digitization and the replacement of deteriorating fasteners with archival-safe materials. This collection serves as a significant resource for researchers examining the history of Florida A&M University, African American leadership in higher education, and the institutional development of historically Black colleges and universities during the twentieth century.
Dr. Alex Brickler, Sr. Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0032

AC.1.B.1.6.3

Dr. Alexander Dumas “A.D.” Brickler (1929–2023) was a pioneering physician and respected obstetrician whose decades-long career had a lasting impact on the Tallahassee community. A graduate of Howard University and Meharry Medical College, Brickler began practicing medicine during segregation and became one of the Black physicians who helped integrate local healthcare systems.
Throughout his career, Dr. Brickler delivered more than 30,000 babies and was widely known for his compassion, professionalism, and dedication to equitable care. He worked extensively at the Florida A&M University Hospital and later at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, where a women’s pavilion was named in his honor.
In addition to his clinical work, Brickler served as a mentor to generations of medical professionals and remained committed to patient care well into his later years. His legacy endures through the thousands of families he served and his contributions to advancing healthcare in Tallahassee.
Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins Collection
Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0012 · Collection

Location: AC.3.B.1.5.2

"The nation’s first Black junior college, Booker T. Washington Junior College, opened in Pensacola, Florida, in 1949 on the campus of all-black Booker T. Washington High School. The two institutions shared a name, a building, and an administrator: Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins.

Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins was, at the time, the only educator in all of northwest Florida with an earned doctorate, and he served as founding (and only) president and dean of the college and principal of the high school and was known as “the smartest man in the county.”

Before landing at Booker T. Washington, Wiggins served on the faculty at Florida A&M University. He’s remembered as “an educational catalyst, dedicated to the concept that black children must realize the importance of receiving an education.”

Booker T. Washington Junior College provided many Black students with a foundation to transfer into Bethune-Cookman College, Edward Waters College, and Florida A&M University with a solid foundation in teaching, medicine, law, and theology.

In 1965, Booker T. Washington “merged” with then Pensacola Junior College, and Wiggins went on to serve as Pensacola Junior College’s Director of Research until his retirement. However, many argue the school was effectively closed, as Pensacola Junior College did not make a great effort to include the Booker T. Washington’s students or faculty into the fabric of the institution.”

https://a2arnett.medium.com/february-10-remembering-dr-garrett-t-wiggins-and-booker-t-washington-junior-college-b1b3d85bf650
Dr. Joseph Avent Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0008

AC.1.B.1.4.3

Dr. Joseph Avent was a prominent FAMC professor who was known for his contributions to the institution's development and his engagement with students.
Dr. Leonard H.B. Foote Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0003

AC.3.B.3.1.2- AC.3.B.3.2.2

Dr. Leonard Hobson Buchanan Foote was born April 11, 1898 in Cockeysville, Maryland, son of John L. and Emma A. Foote. In 1926, Dr. Foote accepted a number of positions at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College including college physician, director of student health, medical director and administrator of FAMU Hospital. He died on May 31, 1993.

-https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/44584

 Leonard H. B. Foote
Dr. Lua Stewart Bartley Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0025

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.
Dr. Marcus Boulware Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0031

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
Dr. Patricia Stephens Due Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0040

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