Civil Rights Collection, ca. 1940-present
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized into six series: I. Civil Rights Audio and Video Collection; II. Civil Rights Ephemera Collection; III. Civil Rights Oral History Project; IV. Civil Rights Periodicals Collection; V. Civil Rights Photograph Collection; VI. Civil Rights Records and Manuscripts Collection.

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: The documentary collection consists of primary and secondary sources about the African American Civil Rights Movement, with information about key events, participants, and reform movements aimed at abolishing public and private acts of racial discrimination against African Americans. The collection documents Nashville's role, including information about the Nashville student sit-in movement and the students from Fisk and Tennessee State Univeristy and other schools and church affiliations involved in changing the laws and traditions of segregated Nashville. Materials in the collection include published audio and video imprints, ephemera and memorabilia, oral histories, periodicals, photographs, and records and manuscripts. The materials provide information about key events of U.S. history, including Brown v. Board of Education, 1954, desegregation, sit-ins and freedom rides, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Student Organizing Committee (SSOC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the Highlander Folk School, voting rights, etc. Includes documentary sources about many aspects of Nashville's leadership role and participation, spanning the timeline of the Civil Rights Movement and its continued legacy into the 21st century.

Abstract: Series I. Civil Rights Audio and Video Collection, comprised of original newsreel, video and audio tapes, recordings of freedom and protest songs along with recorded sermons and speeches. These materials were donated or purchased through the Robin and Bill King Foundation and are part of the Civil Rights Collection of the Nashville Public Library Special Collections Division. Future accruals are expected.

Abstract: Series II. Civil Rights Ephemera Collection, consisting of rare and unique items that give historical sketches of race relations in the south, civil rights, school integration, segregation, race riots, economic discrepancy among southern African Americans and civil rights legislation. Materials in the collection were donated or purchased through the Robin and Bill King Foundation and are part of the Civil Rights Collection of the Nashville Public Library Special Collections Division. Future accruals are expected.

Abstract: Series III. Civil Rights Oral History Project, is an ongoing effort documenting more than 100 oral history interviews with local and nationally distinguished participants on topics such as the 1960 Nashville student lunch counter sit-in movement, the formation of civil rights organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Student Organizing Committee (SSOC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), the Highlander Folk School, training sessions in the methods of nonviolent change, desegregating movie theatres and public facilities, the bombing of Z. Alexander Looby's home, civil rights demonstrations, social resistance, and the integration of schools and higher education.

Abstract: Series IV. Civil Rights Periodicals Collection, includes non-current news periodicals, newspapers, student publications, newsletters, journals and specialty periodicals published during the span of the modern civil rights era. The extent of each title may vary from single issue to complete volumes. The collection also consists of informational circulars, articles, and other periodicals published that cover race relations in the South. Noteworthy items included in the collection include: Voices of the Movement [Student] Newsletter and issues of Katallagete. These items were either donated or purchased through the Robin and Bill King Foundation and are part of the Civil Rights Collection of the Nashville Public Library Special Collections Division. Future accruals are expected.

Abstract: Series V. Civil Rights Photograph Collection. These small compilations of photographs highlight some of the pivotal events in the Nashville civil rights movement from law suits filed in school desegregation cases to banquets held at Tennessee A & I to honor Z. Alexander Looby. Some items included are photographs of A.Z. Kelley, Thurgood Marshall, and Kelly Miller Smith, to name a few. These items were donated to the Civil Rights Collection of the Nashville Public Library Special Collections Division. Future accruals are expected.

Abstract: Series VI. Civil Rights Records and Manuscripts Collection. Holdings in this series are comprised of personal papers, correspondence, writings, biographical materials, diaries and the records of organizations. A few noteworthy items include the Memoir of Avon Williams, Jr.; personal scrapbook of Angeline Butler; correspondences of Archie Allen; and Rev. Everett Tilson biographical material. The materials were donated to the Civil Rights Collection of the Nashville Public Library Special Collections Division. Future accruals are expected.

Cite as: [name of individual, folder no.], Series, Civil Rights Collection, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code). The Nashville Public Library retains intellectual property rights to the Civil Rights Oral History Project.

In English

Finding aid available in repository;,item level control,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_CivilRightsColl2014.pdf