February 2009
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In This Issue
2008 Donor Honor Roll...Thank You
Financial Donors
Archives, Library, and Fine Art Donors
Helpful Hands: 2008 Volunteers and Interns
Jazz Studies Program Grows
Amistad Continues to Assist Researchers
Amistad Supports Haiku Festival
Access and Preservation
Operation Crossroads Africa Program
2008 Donor Honor Roll...Thank You
With this Annual Honor Roll of Donors to the Amistad Research Center, we gratefully acknowledge and proudly celebrate the generosity and support of members, corporate partners, foundations, and other friends. This listing includes treasured donors who made gifts to Amistad between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008. 
 
The Honor Roll recognizes donors to the Center as philanthropic leaders by awarding membership at giving levels. The donor's annual gift total determines the assigned level. The principal benefit of membership is the satisfaction inherent to supporting Amistad Research Center, knowing that every investment produces immediate and long lasting impact.
 
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the donor lists. However, despite our best efforts to avoid errors, we realize that mistakes may occur. We apologize in advance for inaccurate spellings, omissions, and other errors. Questions regarding any listing can be forwarded through the newsletter response system, or please contact Amistad Research Center at (504) 862-3222. 
Financial Donors
Individual Donor Recognition
Clifton H. Johnson Club
$5,000+
Estate of Mrs. Ella M. Stevens
Edgar John Bullard III
The Louisiana Weekly/The Dejoie Family
 
Cinque Club
$1,000+
Lee Hampton
Edward C. Dees, Jr.
Rev. Dr. James H. & Dr. Louilyn F. Hargett*
*Indicates an active pledge
 
Harriet Tubman Club
$500+
Paul J. Leaman, Jr.
Ora Myles Sheares
 
Carter G. Woodson Club
$250+
Samuel Dilworth-Leslie
William T. Fletcher
 
Frederick Douglass Club
$100+
William H. Armstrong
Dr. Lionel Arnold
Geoffrey R. & Lisa A. Banta
Dr. & Mrs. James E. Blackwell
Peter J. Cangany, Jr.
Benjamin A. Dent
Richard H. & Constance H. Dubie
Aromenta Evans
Craig B. Etlin & Leslie A. Gordon
Darrell G. & LaSandra Glass Gibson
Ruby Glass
Lee R. Jackson
Charles Douglas Johnson
Lisa Jones
Hazel S. Moore
Sybil H. Morial
Lewis Myers
Doris Newton
Dr. Robert L. Polk
Beryl Pratts
Mr. & Mrs. Ulric Y. Pryce
Joe M. Richardson
Grant Spradling
Shirley Porter Washington
Muriel B. Wilson
 
Sojourner Truth Club
$50+
Capt. E. F. Adams (Ret)
Steven Deutsch
Ernest Hooper
Marie Judge
Antoinette Lee
Josie Y. Lewis
Margaret S. Linder
Mary J. Peterson
Dr. William W. Sutton
Lessie B. Tate
Marie S. Weatherspoon
 
Phillis Wheatley
$49 and under
Abegunde
Lewis Baldwin
Drs. James J. & Rudine Sims Bishop
Lynda C.  & Meredith Bohler
Esailama G. A. Diouf
Sandra L. Dorton
Sherry Sherrod DuPree
Nikky Finney
Millicent C. Harris
Dr. Laura Knight Holland
Dr. Benjamin Lawrance
Donald J. Sevetson
Helen L. Smith
Eleanor Strickland
Julia E. Watkins
Ethel R. Welles
 
Corporate Partner Recognition
Lewis Tappan
$50,000 +
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Tulane University
United Church of Christ Local Church Ministries
 
John Quincy Adams
$1,000+
Chicago Friends of the Amistad Research Center
UCC Justice and Witness Ministries
 
La Amistad
$999 and under
Amerisafe, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, New Orleans Alumnae Chapter
Ernest & Young LLP
First Congregational Church - Eugene, OR
The Mob Film Company
Second Baptist Church - Elgin, IL
 
Memorial and Honor Gifts
Marie P. Barney in memory of Clarence Barney
Chicago Friends of the Amistad Research Center in memory of Judge R. Eugene Pincham
Irene Ellens in memory of William Newton
Doris Newton in honor of Haley F. Newton
 
Clifton H. Johnson Memorial Fund
Amerisafe, Inc.
Dr. Lionel Arnold
Geoffrey R. & Lisa A. Banta
Lynda C. & Meredith Bohler
Peter J. Cangany, Jr.
Chicago Friends of the Amistad Research Center
Edward C. Dees, Jr.
Steven Deutsch
Richard H. & Constance H. Dubie
Craig B. Etlin & Leslie A. Gordon
Ernest & Young LLP
First Congregational Church - Eugene, OR
William T. Fletcher
Ernest Hooper
Lee R. Jackson
Margaret S. Linder
Hazel S. Moore
Mary J. Peterson
Dr. Robert L. Polk
Archives, Library, and Fine Art Donors
Archives and Manuscripts Donors
Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr. JD Papers (2 Folders)
donated by Alvin O. Chambliss, Jr. JD
 
Churches Supporting Churches Collection (1 Folder)
donated by Brenda B. Square
 
Rev. Frederick A. Hargett Papers (2 ft.) 
donated by Rev. James H. Hargett D.Min.

Jeanette Jennings Ph.D. Papers (7 ft.)
donated by the Estate of Jeanette Jennings
 
Eric Paul Julien Collection (1 ft.)
donated by Eric Paul Julien
 
Knoxville College Collection (.5 ft.)
donated by Erin Gosser Mitchell Ph.D.
 
Lower Ninth Ward Home Movies Collection (1 folder)
donated by Daniel Wolff & Jonathan Demne
 
Ellis L. Marsalis Jr. Papers (7.5 ft.)
donated by Ellis L. Marsalis Jr.
 
Ministers for Justice Oral History Collection (1 folder)
donated by Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson 
 
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana Archives (13.5 ft.)
donated by Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana
 
Vorice Jackson Waters Papers (1 ft.)
donated by Leon A. Waters
 
Alan Wieder Ph.D. Collection (1 ft.)
donated by Alan Wieder Ph.D.
 
John P. McCall Collection (2 ft.)
donated by John P. McCall
 
Donor Additions to Existing Collections
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Collection 2008 Addn (.5 ft)
donated by Conchetta Fulton Ph.D.
 
Amistad Research Center Archives Addn (13 ft)
donated by Tennessee Microfilm
 
Harold R. Battiste Jr. Papers 2008 Addn (2.5 ft.)
donated by Harold R. Battiste Jr.

Beecher Memorial  United Church of Christ Collection 2008 Addn (1 folder) 
donated by Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson
 
James Blackwell Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (1 ft.)
donated by James E. Blackwell Ph.D.

Florence E. Borders Papers 2008 Addn (4 ft.)
donated by Florence E. Borders

Raphael L. Cassimere, Jr. Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (9.5 ft.)
donated by Raphael L. Cassimere, Jr. Ph.D. 

Lloyd Davis Papers 2008 Addn (7 ft.)
donated by the Estate of Lloyd Davis

Marissa Davis New Orleans African American Culture Collection (1 folder)
donated by Marissa Davis

Albert Dent Family Papers 2008 Addn (Marian Anderson Bowl) (.5 ft.)
donated by Benjamin and Walter Dent

Dunn Landry Family Papers 2008 Addn (2 folders) 
donated by Beatrice Soublet

Vivian Ellis Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Vivian Ellis

Marvin Elliott Ellis  Papers 2008 Addn (2 folders)
donated by Marvin Elliott Ellis

Eugene J. Foney Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Eugene J. Foney

Willie Gary & Gloria Royal Gary Collection 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Cleota Proctor Wilbekin

Abbye A. Gorin Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Abbye A. Gorin Ph.D.

Gwendolyn Midlo Hall Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (4 ft.)
donated by Gwendolyn Midlo Hall Ph.D.

Rev. James H. Hargett Rev. D. Min Papers 2008 Addn (15.5 ft.)
donated by Rev. James H. Hargett Rev. D.Min.

Humphrey Harrington Family Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Julius L. Harrington Ph.D.

Willie Lee Hart Papers 2008 Addn (.5 ft.) 
donated by Willie Lee Hart

Clifton H. Johnson Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Charles D. Johnson

Clifton H. Johnson Papers 2008 Addn (2 items)
donated by Rosemary Johnson

Stella Jones Gallery Collection 2008 Addn (2 ft.)
donated by Stella Jones M.D.

Sybil Kein Ph.D. Papers (1 folder)
donated by Sybil Kein Ph.D.

Rev.  Jerome LeDoux Ph.D Collection 2008 Addn (3 ft.)
donated by Father Jerome LeDoux Ph.D.SVD

Cora Mayo Collection 2008 Addn (3 ft.)
donated by Cora Mayo

Hazel Moore Papers 2008 Addn (3 ft.)
donated by Hazel Moore

National Association of Bench & Bar Spouses Collection  2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Cleota Proctor Wilbekin

New Orleans Chapter of the Links Inc. Archives 2008 Addn (1.5 ft.)
donated by Andrea Green Jefferson Ph.D.

National Society of Black Physicists Collection 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Ronald E. Milkin Ph.D.

Barack Obama Clipping Collection 2008 Addn (2 ft.)
donated by Willie Lee Hart

Operation Crossroads Africa 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Edward Dees, M.D.

Lloyd Smith Family Collection 2008 Addn (1 ft.)
donated by Helen Smith

Sue Jane Smock Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Sue Jane Mitchell Smock

Rev. Alfred Knighton Stanley Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (10 ft.)
donated by Rev. A. Knighton Stanley Ph.D.

Russell R. Stockard, Sr.  Papers (Oral History Interview) (1 folder)
donated by Russell R. Stockard, Sr. & Sekou Sanyika

Alexander Pierre Tureaud Papers 2008 Addn (1 microfilm)
donated by Historic New Orleans Collection

Jerry W. Ward Jr., Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (1 folder)
donated by Jerry W. Ward Jr., Ph.D. 

Vernon James Williams Ph.D. Papers 2008 Addn (2 ft.)
donated by Vernon James Williams Ph.D.
 
Library Donors
Margaret J. Collins                         Dr. Dereck J. Rovaris
Columbia University Press              Ralph Slaughter
Wiletta Ferdinand                          Crystal Smith
Christopher Harter                          Thomas Strider
Keith C. Holmes                            Charlotte Travieso
Hon. William J. Jefferson                Shirley Porter Washington
The Louisiana Weekly                    Dr. Robert Weyeneth
Susan Lloyd McClamroch               Evelyn L. Wilson
Todd Michney                                James Wilson, Jr.
Kenneth Owen                               Thomas Wirth
Oxford University Press                  United Church of Christ
Chuck Perkins                               University of North Carolina Press
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Polk                   University Press of Mississippi
Katherine Prudeaux                        Sharifa M. Zawawi

Fine Art Donors
Exodus by Brookie Maxwell donated by Dr. Edward Dees
Portrait of Clifton H. Johnson donated by Velma Morris
Generations by Henry Casselli donated by The John Burton Harter Charitable Foundation 
Helpful Hands: 2008 Volunteers and Student Interns
The Amistad was fortunate to have a variety of volunteers and student interns throughout 2008, who provided invaluable service in the areas of acquisitions, processing, preservation, and reference services. Amistad would like to thank faculty and student groups from Defiance College, Rhodes College, Case Western Reserve University, and volunteers from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference for their assistance. Special thanks to Brenda Delarber, a senior History major and McMaster Scholar from Defiance College, who worked enthusiastically for a week in December, completing preservation and finding aid work on the Ellis Marsalis Jr. Papers. The Amistad is also appreciative of the work our volunteer student interns, Elizabeth Hollmann from Loyola University and Serena Malone from Southern University of New Orleans, have completed this year. The Reference Services department would like to thank Ruth Ann Harter for her help with special projects in December, making it two consecutive years that she has assisted during the holiday season. A final thanks and volunteer highlight goes to our steady volunteers Sister Maura O'Donovan, Turry Flucker, and Jean Jones, who provide their services to the Amistad on a regular continuing basis.
 
Volunteer Highlight: Jean Jones, MLS
 
Jean JonesJean Jones from Bronxville, New York, has been volunteering at Amistad since early 2008. She has a Masters in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Amistad has greatly benefited by her retirement from the New Orleans Public Library, where she worked for thirty-four years. She was the head of the Business and Science Division and also worked reference services in the Louisiana Division of NOPL. She has been a great help to the processing department by assisting with the arrangement and preservation of the Thomas C. Dent Papers. Without her professional experience and help eight hours per week, this collection would not be so close to completion. When asked what she thought of her work here at Amistad she said "I have enjoyed meeting the staff and working in a friendly, encouraging environment." She has also enjoyed learning about the differences between archival and library work, as well as the experience of working on a college campus. During her work on the Thomas C. Dent Papers she has been remembering many New Orleans and national happenings as she comes across articles and items, that Mr. Dent kept throughout his life. Jean is looking forward to tackling the photographs in that collection next, and the processing department is extremely appreciative of her help.
Jazz Studies Program Grows
Tulane University plans new funding for the expansion of its programs for students interested in pursuing a master's degree in musicology with a concentration in jazz studies and New Orleans music. Students accepted into the program will work in musicology and ethnomusicology, and courses will include topics such as music produced by brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians, rhythm and blues, and Latin American musical genres. Students will be able to study historical writings from New Orleans, Haiti, Cuba, and Trinidad, and collaboration with other liberal arts departments will encourage enrollment in relevant classes. The strengths of the faculty are a big asset of the program, and the resources of the William Ransom Hogan Archive of New Orleans Jazz, the Maxwell Music Library, the Louisiana Collection, the Stone Center for Latin American Studies, and the Amistad Research Center, all at Tulane, will provide invaluable support.
Amistad Continues to Assist Researchers 
The year 2008 was a busy one for reference staff at Amistad as they continued to field research queries from near and far. Over three hundred researchers from 25 states and the District of Columbia, as well as five foreign countries visited the Center last year, requesting over 1500 books, manuscript boxes, microfilm reels, and other material in order to conduct their research. In addition, staff fielded over 600 additional queries via telephone, email, and letter. With the upcoming implementation of new archival management software (as reported in the December 2008 issue), which will allow Amistad to post more information about its collections online, staff are gearing up for an even busier 2009.
 
The Center also hosted over 1400 additional visitors and saw a substantial increase in the number of tour requests from the previous year. Apart from numerous student and youth group tours, the Center also received visits from Wal-Mart's Southeastern Regional Managers and representatives from the Entergy Corporation, as well as visitors from as far away as the Netherlands and Australia. Last year's tours illustrate the fact that Amistad continues to serve researchers and the general public who visit the Center "from around the world and around the block."  

UCC Historical Council2

Photo: Amistad hosted a panel discussion on the history of African Americans in the United Church of Christ during a visit by the UCC Historical Council in November 2008. The panel featured Dr. Yvonne Delk, Rev. Dr. James H. Hargett, Rev. Dr. Bernice Powell Jackson, and Dr. Marvin L. Morgan. Photo by Amistad staff.
Amistad Supports Haiku Festival
The Amistad Research Center proudly announces its support of the 5th Annual Haiku Festival in celebration of National Poetry Month. Each poet receives a certificate of achievement for participating and as a winning author has an opportunity to read at the annual awards program. Participants are also eligible for additional incentive awards and prizes. 
 
In previous years, over 2,000 pupils from Chicago area schools have participated. However, entries are not restricted and submissions are encouraged from around the country. Festival founder and organizer Regina Harris Baiocchi commented that the juried event is open to any student ages 8 to 14, or who is 3rd to 8th grade. In the past, the festival has asked that winning students read at the awards program, which can be easily arranged in this digital age. One original poem per student following 5-7-5 guidelines can be submitted. The deadline date is Friday, March 14, 2009. Poems can be submitted online at www.haikufest.com or to Haiku Festival, P O Box 450, Chicago, IL 60690.  Additional information can be obtained via email at info@haikufest.com or by calling (312) 458-9898.  

Harris-Baiocchi is an acclaimed author, poet, and composer. Her music has been performed by the Chicago and Detroit Symphonies, and she is author of Urban Haiku and producer of the Kidstuff CD. The Regina Harris Baiocchi Papers are housed at the Amistad Research Center. 
Access and Preservation: The Middle Road is Processing
By Laura J. Thomson, Director of Processing
Amistad Research Center
 
ProcessingArchival work is often difficult to describe because archivists wear many hats. We are historians, curators, librarians, information technologists, system developers, and security guards. These multiple roles serve the mission of most archives and manuscript repositories, which is to provide access and permanent preservation for cultural heritage. The Amistad Research Center's archival profile is defined by three units working harmoniously under the umbrella of access and preservation: acquisitions, processing, and reference. Acquisitions is responsible for collecting materials of enduring historical value for use by present, as well as, future generations, while Reference activity is most obvious in the access and research services side of our work.
 
Processing consists of archival functions that routinely occur after the acquisition of collections and prior to access provided by Reference Services.  Archival processing is often likened to cataloging in a library, but this description is a misleading one. We construct the cataloging record, or "finding aid" in the archival profession, but that is where the similarity ends. Unlike a cataloging librarian, processing archivists usually do not describe or process a solitary item such as a single book. We describe whole collections of materials.  These can encompass one document, but most often encompass boxes of documents.  So the traditional catalog record does not apply to fully arranging and describing archives and manuscripts collections.
 
It can take us months to finish work on a collection in our care at Amistad, and sometimes it takes several years. Ultimately, however, the finding aid generated by the processing department has fully completed parts that are descriptive of collection content, and the collections are organized to facilitate access by scholars, researchers, and ordinary citizens from across the nation and globally. 
 
Photo: Shannon Burrell, Senior Processing Assistant, and Nilsa Duran, Graduate Assistant, help to process and preserve Amistad's archival collections. Photo by Amistad staff. 
Amistad Participates in Operation Crossroads Africa Program
The James H. Robinson Institute announced competition for three $500 scholarships that will be available to residents of Louisiana who apply for the Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA) 2009 Summer Program. Applicants will visit and utilize the Operation Crossroads Africa Archives or James H. Robinson Papers housed at Amistad in order to prepare a 700 word essay answering the following question: What in the archival records of the 50 year history of Operation Crossroads Africa or its founder, James H. Robinson, inspired change in your understanding of cross cultural relations? The awards will be announced by OCA on May 1.