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[Arlena McZeal photograph collection pertaining to African American social life and freemasonry in Los Angeles].
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Collection Overview

Title:

[Arlena McZeal photograph collection pertaining to African American social life and freemasonry in Los Angeles]

Creator/Contributor:

McZeal, Arlena, creator, creator.

Creator/Contributor:

Johnson, Julius, photographer.

Abstract:

Photographs of Arlena McZeal taken from her childhood in the 1920s to the 1960s, with an emphasis on her adult social life and her activities associated with the Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.). Includes snapshots and formal portraits of McZeal; photographs taken at parties and other informal events; and numerous professional group portraits taken at O.E.S. freemasonry events, and perhaps some church events, in Los Angeles. Other individuals idientified include Arlena's husband Pete McZeal, her mother Fannie Odella Golatt, her step-daughter Barbara McZeal and Elizabeth Benbow (perhaps a half-sister). Oversize folder contains a group portrait of African American freemasons taken in the 1950s at Carolina Pines restaurant in Los Angeles. Also includes several certificates from the 1960s and 1970s honoring McZeal for her service to O.E.S.; McZeal's diplomas from Lafayatte Junior High School (1933) and Thomas Jefferson High School (1936); and a typescript obituary for McZeal.

Date:

1920 (issued)

Subject:

n-us-ca
African Americans -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
African American families -- California -- Los Angeles -- Photographs
African American freemasons -- California -- Los Angeles -- Portraits
African American freemasonry -- California -- Los Angeles
Noirs américains -- Californie -- Los Angeles -- Photographies
Familles noires américaines -- Californie -- Los Angeles -- Photographies
Francs-maçons noirs américains -- Californie -- Los Angeles -- Portraits
Franc-maçonnerie noire américaine -- Californie -- Los Angeles
African American families
African American freemasonry
African American freemasons
African Americans
California -- Los Angeles
Order of the Eastern Star -- Photographs
Order of the Eastern Star.
McZeal, Arlena -- Archives

Note:

Title devised by cataloger.
Collected by Arlena McZeal.
Only a few photographs include descriptive annotations.
Photographer's stamps present on backs of some photographs. Includes many images by Julius Johnson of Los Angeles. Other photographers represented include Irving C. Smith, Maceo B. Sheffield, Just a Memory (Photos by Tiny), Jac Rose (L.A.), Flash Record & Photo Studio (L.A.), John Pulliams and Cliff Kalick.
Purchase from Langdon Manor Books LLC ; 2021.
Arlena McZeal: born Arlena Maudena Benbow in Los Angeles on October 7, 1916 to parents Hercules Benbow and Fannie Odella Ganes (or Gaines, later Fannie Golatt); married Peter McZeal in 1944, with whom she had one child, Janice McZeal Taylor; active in La Bomabera social club, Order of the Eastern Star (Queen of Sheba Chapter no. 7 and Golden State Grand Chapter); member of St. Phillips Episcopal Church; died November 2, 2002.
Arlena McZeal photograph collection pertaining to African American social life and freemasonry in Los Angeles, BANC PIC 2022.037, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Type:

graphic
Portrait.
portraits.
Archives.
Photographs.
Portraits.
Group portraits.
Portraits.
Portraits.

Physical Description:

photoprint
approximately 125 photographs in 1 box and 1 oversize folder : chiefly gelatin silver prints ; sheets 18 x 43 cm or smaller

Language:

English

Origin:

California