I was browsing through the Genealogy Department's collection, when I found a book called "Bibliographic Checklist of African American Newspapers" by Barbara K. Henritze. It was published in 1995. It is basically a list of all known Black owned newspapers that had been published in the United States. There were a few from Monroe that … Continue reading A List of Monroe’s African-American Newspapers
Tag: African-American History
XYZ Club Mardi Gras Program
When I saw this program come up for sale on eBay on Shrove Monday, my eyes popped out of my head! It even had a "buy it now" price, which surprised me. I thought surely, something like this would be up for bid. You'd better believe I bought it as soon as my fingers could … Continue reading XYZ Club Mardi Gras Program
Welcome to Monroe brochure
Here is a fairly new brochure (historically speaking) we just had to digitize due to it's uniqueness! It was a guide to African-American owned businesses in Monroe produced in the 1980's. It was put together by the Top Gun Boy Scout troop. You can look at it here: https://louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A113
31 Nights of Halloween (2021 Edition/Night #1): A Jonestown Victim’s Grave is Identified
Every October, Ms. Antley posts nightly stories about local graves in North Louisiana. I look forward to her posts every October! They are well researched and interestingly written. This post is about a local victim of the Jonestown Massacre. I was the librarian she mentions in this post. It was very moving for me and an honor to have a hand in finding Miss Willis’ grave again.
November 18, 1978 is one horrifying date in world history. It will forever be marred by the remembrance of Jim Jones and the demise of the residents of his “Jonestown” settlement in Guyana. His followers had joined him in hopes for a better future, instead they had no future. In that day, he convinced over 900 people to willingly drink poison (or in some cases—force feed it to their children). Days later, the U.S. and Guyanese government took over the brutal task of identifying the dead and returning them home.
Initially, the United States had felt it was best to dig a mass grave and bury them there but Guyana officials refused to entertain that idea. This tragedy may have taken place in their soil but they did not want the burials or bad energy left behind.
Jones had followers from all over the United States. In fact, he had…
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HISTORIC HASLEY: Secrets From The Grave
Last year, the Ouachita Parish Public Library’s Genealogy and Special Collections Department applied for and won a Rebirth Public Library grant* from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our project was to create a virtual cemetery tour of some of the burials in Hasley cemetery, West Monroe. The fruits of that labor are now available to the public. … Continue reading HISTORIC HASLEY: Secrets From The Grave
Kate Willis Carroll
Did you know that in the collection of Southern University's Archives, they have a picture of Morris Henry Carroll's mother? I didn't either! You can see it here: http://7008.sydneyplus.com/final/Portal/SouthernUniversity.aspx?lang=en-US . Mrs. Carroll was an educator herself and was involved with many charities in the area. Apparently, she had been a student of J.S. Clark!
Henrietta Winham Johnson Recreation Center Program – 1962
This is another Rec Center program, this one is from the opening of the Johnson Rec Center. It is the same format as the Marbles program, with Henrietta's biographical information in it: https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A107 I have been thoroughly enjoying all the hidden priceless gems we have been finding in our collection! More is coming has we … Continue reading Henrietta Winham Johnson Recreation Center Program – 1962
The Dedication of Terzia High School
Terzia was the forerunner of Richwood High School. It was dedicated in 1952. This rare program is in the Library's collection and has been digitized on the Louisiana Digital Library. https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A108
Dedication Program for Liller Maddox Marbles Recreation Center – 1962
https://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/islandora/object/oplib-orv%3A98 This one was found last week and I immediately asked my boss to include it in the Digital Library. It is the dedication program for Marbles Rec Center! About two years ago, a lady called and asked us if we had a photo of Mrs. Marbles and I had never seen one. The program … Continue reading Dedication Program for Liller Maddox Marbles Recreation Center – 1962
Etta Moten Performs at the Carroll Auditorium
Never heard of Etta Moten? Neither did I until I looked her up. Ms. Moten was the first black actress to appear on screen in a roll other than as a Mammy or Maid. She was a philanthropist and activist. She is best known for a little Gershwin Broadway play called, Porgy and Bess. She … Continue reading Etta Moten Performs at the Carroll Auditorium