Guide to the Lawrence P. Crouchett Papers
Marianne Carden
African American Museum and Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Guide to the Lawrence P. Crouchett Papers
Collection number: MS 7
African American Museum and Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Marianne Carden
- Date Completed:
- 05/20/1995
- Encoded by:
- Sean Heyliger
© 2013 African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Lawrence P. Crouchett papers
Dates: 1909-1990
Bulk Dates: 1961-1990
Collection number: MS 7
Collection Size:
1.25 linear foot
(3 boxes)
Repository:
African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: The Lawrence P. Crouchett Papers encompass materials documenting Crouchett's role as an
historian, social activist, teacher, and administrator between 1960 and 1989.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish from the Lawrence P. Crouchett Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library
at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Lawrence P. Crouchett papers, MS 7, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Acquisition Information
These papers were donated to the Northern California Center for Afro-American
History and Life upon Crouchett's death on May 11,1993.
Processing Information
Papers were processed by Marianne Carden on May 20, 1995. Finding aid was revised and container list verified by Sean Heyliger,
01/16/2013.
Biography / Administrative History
Lawrence P. Crouchett was born on March 18, 1922 in Beaumont, Texas. After graduation from
Hebert High School, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the M25th Infantry until
1945. Upon his honorable discharge, Crouchett enrolled at Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, where
he served as President of the Black History Club, Youth NAACP leader, and Student Body
President. He also participated in college athletics, playing for two years as varsity quarterback, one
year on the basketball team, and three years on the baseball team. Upon his graduation with honors,
Crouchett received a Bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Political Science.
Racial violence in the South eventually prompted Crouchett to move to California, where he
began attending the University of San Francisco Law School. Financial problems forced him to drop out after one and a half
years. During the late fifties, Crouchett taught economics
and history in Berkeley and in the North Richmond area. His contributions were honored through
election to the office of President of the California Teacher's Association in Richmond in 1960.
Crouchett also worked as a KDIA radio announcer and won the John Swett award for his program,
Issues on Education.
In 1962, Crouchett joined the faculty of Diablo Valley College as an instructor of United States
History. As an historian and educator, Crouchett prepared extensive bibliographies on African American history and through
lectures and publications. Crouchett worked to integrate ethnic studies into the general education curriculum of public
schools and colleges through the preparation of teacher's handbooks and the revision of curricular
and instructional programs. Crouchett also served on the editorial committee of the
Boule Journal,
a publication of the Alpha Gamma Boule fraternity, and prepared articles highlighting the
achievements of such African Americans as Assemblyman William Byron Rumford, Judge Allen E.
Broussard, and Percy H. Steele. In recognition of his achievements, Crouchett received the
Outstanding Educator in America award in 1971.
Crouchett eventually received a promotion to the position of Director of Special Programs and
Services at Diablo Valley College. This appointment allowed him to utilize research he conducted
as part of his graduate studies in Higher Education Administration at U.C. Berkeley. His dissertation,
The Relationship of Ethnic Studies Programs to the Potential Renewal of Interest in General
Education
prompted him to become involved in revising the ethnic studies component of programs at Diablo Valley College. Crouchett
also participated in the development of an
affirmative action program at Diablo Valley College. As Director of Special Programs and Services,
he oversaw services for handicapped students, financial aid, health services, the Associated Students,
and the Learning Center.
After his retirement on July 1,1983, Crouchett continued his work as a scholar and promoter of African American pride and
awareness through historical study. He became Director of
the Northern California Center for Afro-American History and Life in 1988 and obtained funding
for the preparation of an exhibition on African American contributions to the development of the East
Bay. The exhibit, Visions Toward Tomorrow: The History of the East Bay Afro-American Community,
1852-1977, drew 50,000 people to the Oakland Museum.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Lawrence P. Crouchett Papers document Crouchett's role as an
historian, social activist, teacher, and administrator between 1960 and 1989. The biographical series
includes newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and correspondence detailing Crouchett's
life and work. Also included in the papers are class syllabi, handbooks, teaching guides,
and articles related to his work as an educator. The papers also provide insight into programs Crouchett instituted as Director
of the
Office of Special Programs and Services and include
pamphlets documenting the Math-Science Institute for Minorities, early affirmative action measures,
and artist-in-residence programs.
Crouchett's interest in the history of African Americans on the West Coast and in the relationship between ethnic
studies and general education are documented in writings, speeches, and research notes. The papers
encompass drafts and final copies of articles he wrote for various journals. The papers also contain several examples of speeches
given by Crouchett on white racism, the black experience in the West, and the black intellectual
heritage. Crouchett's research materials also include bibliographies and handbooks he compiled to
assist history teachers in integrating African American history into their general curriculum.
Arrangement
Series I. Biographical
Series II. Diablo Valley College
Series III. Research files
Series IV. Museum activities
Series V. Oral history interviews
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Diablo Valley College.
Crouchett, Lawrence P.
African American educators.
Biographical
Physical Description: 3 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Consists of pamphlets, correspondence, and a photograph which provide
biographical information about Crouchett.
Arrangement
Arranged by format and thereafter by date.
Box 1:3
Photograph of Crouchett
undated
Diablo Valley College
Physical Description: 9 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Contains memos, correspondence, programs, and articles relating to Crouchett's
tenure as Director of the this office in the 1970s and early 1980s, and class syllabi, handbooks, and teaching guides related
to Crouchett's instruction.
Arrangement
Sub-series I. Office of Special Programs and Services
Sub-series II. Teaching Activities
Office of Special Programs and Services
Box 1:4
Memoranda and correspondence
1971-1979
Box 1:5
Affirmative action reports and workshops
1972
Box 1:6
Artist-in-residence program
1977-1978
Box 1:7
Martin Luther King Jr. Day programs
1980
Box 1:8
Conferences and programs for minorities
1971-1973
Box 1:9
Consulting project, Philips Academy
1977
Box 1:11
Public speaking handbook grades 7-12: a course for summer sessions or unit for English classes
1961
Box 1:12
Teaching guide, Stockton USD,
A study of the Negro in the historical development of the United States (biographical and topical approach)
1968
Research files
Physical Description: 23 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Sub-series I writings consists of drafts and final copies of articles Crouchett prepared for journals, as well as bibliographies,
transcripts of speeches, and a script. Sub-series II notes contains files of articles, bibliographies, and handwritten notes
Crouchett compiled while doing historical research.
Arrangement
Sub-series I. Writings
Sub-series II. Notes
Box 2:1-2
Biographical articles for
Boule Journal
1980-1987
Box 2:3
Draft,
Early years of intellectual life among Black Oaklanders: a general overview
undated
Box 2:5
Ethnic studies essays
1974 and undated
Box 2:6
Race relation essays
undated
Box 2:7
Bibliography: the Negro in U.S. history
1964-1965
Box 2:8-9
Bibliography: Afro-American history, culture, and education
1970
Box 2:10
Script,
Life and Times of Louise Alce Gailbreath Johnson
1987
Box 2:12-13
A.M.E. churches
1909-1990
Box 3:2
Black maritime history
1983
Box 3:3-4
Blacks in Oakland, California
circa 1987
Box 3:5
Blacks in politics
undated
Box 3:7
Education and integration
undated
Museum activities
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Consists of one file of pamphlets, clippings, and notes relating to the design and
preparation of the "Vision Toward Tomorrow" exhibit at the Oakland Museum in 1988.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Box 3:10
Visions of Tomorrow exhibit
1988-1989
Oral history interviews
Physical Description: 2 cassette tapes
Series Scope and Content Summary
Oral history interviews conducted by Dr. Lawrence Crouchett with assemblyman Byron Rumford and Patricia Griffith Hamilton
and Joseph Griffin III.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Oral history interview with Byron Rumford
circa 1980s
Description
Oral history interview with Byron Rumford interviewed by Lawrence P. Crouchett. Part 1: FEPC [00:40], Introduction of National
Guard bill [01:00], Introduction of FEPC bill [01:47], Writing the FEPC bill [02:16], Problems introducing FEPC [02:36], Support
of labor and NAACP for FEPC [04:36], Gov. Pat Brown [05:08], C.L. Dellums [05:46], Franklin Williams [06:21], Opposition to
FEPC [06:45], Joe Lewis [29:20], Early 1930s in Berkeley/decision to run for state assembly [31:09], Campaign manager Ben
Watkins [35:50], Committee chairman D.G. Gibson [36:00], Black republicans [40:23], Central Committee of the Alameda County
Democratic Party [42:00], Claude Allen/Berkeley Interracial Committee [44:25] Part II: Working as a pharmacist [15:11], Discrimination
and trouble finding work as a pharmacist [16:47], First drugstore [22:06], Growing up in Phoenix, AZ [22:55], Discrimination
in Phoenix, AZ [25:45], Rev. Caldwell and Rev. Faubus of the 2nd Ave. Baptist Church [26:45], Working at the Arizona Club
[28:30]
Oral history interview with Patricia Griffith Hamilton and Joseph Griffith III about Richmond's Black community
circa 1980s
Description
Oral history interview with Patricia Griffith Hamilton and Joseph Griffith III about the black community in Richmond, California.
Part I: Birth and early years in Richmond, CA [00:18], Father's work as a roofer in the 1930s [02:40], Early years in North
Richmond in the 1930s [04:48], Movie theaters in Richmond, CA [05:45], Joseph Griffith III's early years in Richmond [06:10],
Bull chasing [06:35], Fishing [08:12], Discrimination in schools [09:18], Black neighborhoods in Richmond, CA [10:50], Black
businesses [11:14], Activities for blacks in Richmond, CA before WWII [12:43], Richmond Spiders Baseball team/Negro leagues
[13:93], Richmond High School [15:38], Pre-WWII black population in Richmond, CA [16:33], Malbrooks [?], S.C. Rodgers, and
Robinson families [19:00], Boxer Earl Turner [20:22], Ellison and Bonaparte families [21:55], Richmond during WWII [23:46],
North Richmond's reputation [33:27], Black historic sites in Richmond (The Pink Kitchen) [38:53], Missionary Baptist Church
[41:17] Part II: Impression of Richmond, CA today (how it has changed since the 1960s) [00:10], Extended black families in
Richmond, CA [06:28], Stereotypes of Richmond, CA [09:00]
