Guide to the Joshua Rose 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 Joshua Rose Papers
Collection number: MS 8
African American Museum and Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Marianne Carden
- Date Completed:
- 06/10/1995
- Encoded by:
- Sean Heyliger
© 2013 African American Museum and Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Joshua Rose papers
Dates: 1924-1987
Collection number: MS 8
Creator:
Rose, Joshua
Collection Size:
1 linear foot
(2 boxes + 1 oversized box)
Repository:
African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: The Joshua Rose Papers document Rose's life and contributions to the Oakland
community as an executive for the Oakland YMCA and as a member of the Oakland Recreation
Commission and the first African American to serve on the Oakland City Council.
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 Joshua Rose Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
Joshua Rose papers, MS 8, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processing Information
Processed by Marianne Carden, 06/10/1995. Finding aid updated and container list verified by Sean Heyliger, 01/23/2013. Finding
aid updated to add material from Accession #2017-015 by Sean Heyliger on April 21, 2017.
Biography / Administrative History
Joshua Rose was born on September 11,1906 in Lexington, Virginia to George and
Mary Charles Rose. The family later moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Joshua attended
Schenley High School. He worked his way through the University of Pittsburgh by part-time
work at the steel mills and at the Center Ave. YMCA in Pittsburgh. In 1937, he received a
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Rose's job at the YMCA provided an avenue to his first professional position at the
YMCA in Montclair, New Jersey. In 1939, Rose and his family moved to Oakland, where he
worked to raise funds for the establishment of a branch of the Oakland YMCA to serve the
African American community. The Northwest Branch, as it was eventually called, opened at a
temporary location at 36th and San Pablo and then moved to 3265 Market St. in the early 1940s.
Rose inaugurated many new programs, including summer day camps which combined the
traditional elements of arts and crafts and sports with outdoor excursions and a camping trip to
Yosemite. Through the YMCA's programs, Rose worked to provide many Oakland youth with
constructive activities and summertime employment. He retired in 1967 as Associate General
Secretary of the Metropolitan Branch.
In 1947, Rose was selected over Claude O. Allen to become the first African American member of the Board of Playground Directors.
Later re-named the Oakland Recreation
Commission, the board studied the recreation needs of the city and provided recommendations
for new developments and improvements to existing facilities. During his tenure as a member
between 1947 and 1964, the commission convinced the City of Oakland to establish eight new
recreation centers and to improve athletic facilities at ten existing sites. Rose served as chairman
of the commission from 1961-62.
On August 27, 1964, Rose achieved another milestone when he was selected by Mayor
Houlihan to complete the unexpired term of Robert V. McKeen on the Oakland City Council. As
the first African American to sit on the City Council, Rose served the 2nd District, which
included North Oakland and a portion of Montclair. He was unanimously appointed over three
other candidates, Barney Hilburn, Kenneth F. Smith, and Hampton Barnett, when it was
discovered that only Rose actually resided within the 2nd District. Re-elected for three subsequent
terms in 1965, 1969, and 1973, Rose played a key role in preventing rioting in Oakland during
the late sixties. Public officials commended him for his efforts to find practical solutions to racial
discontent and violence. The lasting effects of injuries sustained in a car accident in 1971
prompted Rose to step down from his position on the City Council in 1977. He officially retired
on June 30,1977.
Rose was a member of the Oakland Rotary Club, Men of Tomorrow, Inc.,
Children's Vision Center of the Eastbay, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and The Free and Accepted Masons,
Adonis Lodge. He also served on the Speaker's Bureau of
the Community Chest/United Crusade. Rose also served as treasurer and member of the
finance committee at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church and helped to establish a thrift center at
the church to give employment opportunities to youth in the neighborhood. Rose also co-chaired
the first school bond passed by the City of Oakland and helped the Oakland Public School
system to revise the English curriculum at McClymond's High School.
Rose's wife, Virginia, worked for many years in Oakland as head teacher at Longfellow
Child Care Center. His three children, Richard, Virginia, and Mary, remained in California and
pursued successful professional careers. Richard worked as an accountant in Los Angeles,
Virginia as a school teacher in Los Angeles, and Mary as a reporter in Berkeley and Oakland.
Rose died of Parkinson's Disease on April 13, 1987.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Joshua Rose Papers document Rose's life and contributions to the Oakland
community as an executive for the Oakland YMCA and as a member of the Oakland Recreation
Commission and the Oakland City Council. The biographical series includes newspaper clippings, obituaries, correspondence,
and photographs from his youth and of his family. Also included are
assorted certificates from athletic events and a history of the Holy Cross Athletic
Club in Pittsburgh. Assorted personal correspondence also documents honors Rose received from various organizations for his
civic
work.
The papers include only one file of correspondence and reports dating from 1966-67 related to his work with the Oakland YMCA.
This file regards other
branches and their activities and is primarily an exchange of letters between Rose and Wesley
Hunter of the Northeast Branch YMCA.
Rose's political activities are more thoroughly documented through clippings,
correspondence, photographs, and appointment books. His term on the Board of Playground
Directors and its successor, the Oakland Recreation Commission, is outlined in clippings about
his appointment and in a citation from the commission regarding his achievements. Letters of
congratulation, clippings, and photos document Rose's appointment and subsequent re-election to
the Oakland City Council. These reveal how both the public and personal friends reacted to the
appointment of the first African American to the council. Other items, such as election flyers,
business cards, certificates, and clippings, provide an indication of Rose's subsequent years in
this position. Clippings and correspondence prepared upon his retirement offer a summary of
some of his principal contributions as a councilman. In addition, a set of appointment books
covering the entire span' of his terms of office from 1964-1977 offer insight into his daily
schedule. Ceremonial events, as well as campaign and community service activities, are
documented visually in a series of publicity photos.
Arrangement
Series I. Biographical
Series II. Y.M.C.A. Oakland
Series III. Political Activities
Series IV. Photographs
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Y.M.C.A. Oakland.
Rose, Joshua.
Oakland (Calif.)--History.
Biographical
Physical Description: 3 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes certificates, awards, newspaper clippings, funeral programs, and correspondence that document the life of Joshua
Rose.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:1
Assorted certificates, awards, and newspaper clippings
1937-1984
Box 1:2
Funeral program and obituary
1987
Y.M.C.A. Oakland
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Contains a file of correspondence exchanged between Rose and Wesley Hester of the
Northeast Branch YMCA during the 1960s. Topics covered include the activities of the various branches of the YMCA in Oakland
and evaluations of programs offered in these branches.
Political Activities
Physical Description: 16 folders + 1 oversized folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes materials relating to Rose's appointment to the Board of Playground Directors
and to the Oakland City Council. Documents about his term on the Board of Playground
Directors consist primarily of clippings announcing his appointment. The City Council files are
more extensive, encompassing clippings about both the appointment and Rose's subsequent
activities as councilman, as well as correspondence and such miscellaneous materials as business
cards and certificates. A series of appointment books dating from his appointment in 1964 to his
retirement in 1977 provide listings of meetings and appointments for his entire term.
Arrangement
Arranged by name of political office and thereafter by format and by date.
Box 1:5
Board of Playground Directors
1945-1967
Box 1:6
Letters of congratulation
1964-1965
Box OM 13
Commendation for public service from the Oakland City Council to Joshua Rose
1964-08-31
Box 1:7
Newspaper clippings
1964-1977
Box 1:8
Certificates of election
1965-1973
Box 1:9
Inauguration ceremonies program
1969
Box 1:9
An ode to the meter maids
undated
Box 1:12
Boards and commissions
1973
Box 1:13
Appointment books
1964-1978
Box 2:1-5
Appointment books
1965-1978
Photographs
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Consists of photographs documenting Rose's family and his political activities. Includes portraits of Rose and of his family,
as well as publicity shots of Rose in City Council meetings and at official functions.
Arrangement
Arranged by photo accession number.
Box 2:7
Robert E. Lee Hotel, North Carolina [005]
1932
Box 2:7
Unidentified persons bathing nude, Wheeling, West Virginia [006]
1930
Box 2:7
Two unidentified boys, Camp Indian Head, Connellsville, Pennsylvania [007]
1933
Box 2:7
Three unidentified persons sit in grassy area near water [008]
circa 1930s
Box 2:7
Four unidentified boys huddle, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [009]
1932
Box 2:7
Mario Tatum holding a walking staff standing on a path in a wooded area [011]
circa 1930s
Box 2:7
Tour bus on dirt road in Wheeling, West Virginia [012]
1930
Box 2:7
Two unidentified boys, Camp Indian Head, Connellsville, Pennsylvania [013]
1933
Box 2:7
Boy standing in front of home-made tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [014]
1930
Box 2:7
Four unidentified boys in field next to tents, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania [015]
1930
Box 2:7
Twelve unidentified children wearing swim suits pose beside a pool enclosed by a wooden fence [016]
undated
Box 2:7
Portrait of Joshua Rose, Holy Cross Club [017]
1928
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose at unidentified meeting [018-022]
1961
Box 2:7
Five unidentified youth flexing their muscles [023]
1961
Box 2:7
Schenly High School portrait of Joshua Rose (print and negative) [024]
1924
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose (right) shaking hands with Leland Sweeney at Jack London Inn [025]
1965
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose (left) shovels dirt around the base of a newly planted tree while one boy scout holds the pole to support tree
[026-027]
1968
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose, Oakland City Council portrait [028]
1964
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose and Virginia Rose at left laugh with Eleanor and Wiley Manuel at Lionel Wilson Campaign event [029]
1977
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose seated at the head of a long, oval, wooden table smiling at the camera with unidentified men [030]
1965
Box 2:7
Durant School group photograph, Virginia Rose (third row, far right) [031]
1943
Box 2:7
Unidentified runner stretching for the tape at the finish-line, caption "Mary Ellen's first husband running track" [032]
undated
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose at dinner event [033]
1973
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose receiving award, caption (l-r) Rudi, Aponte, Rose, O'Clogough, Simpson [034]
1970
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with group of unidentified men under the Bay BART tube [035]
1969
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose sitting with three unidentified men [036]
undated
Box 2:7
Group holding sign, Aloha from United Air Lines U.S. Conference of Mayors, in front of airplane, Honolulu, Hawaii [037]
1967
Box 2:7
Visit of the Trustees of the National Parks of Tanzania to the United States, left to right, Joshua Rose, Abdiel Shangali,
Adam Sapi, Irwin Luckman [038]
1967
Box 2:7
2Charles and Emiline Craft standing in front of house at 202 Calhoun St. Charleston, South Carolina [reproduction] [039]
circa 1903
Box 2:7
Photograph of auditorium filled with about 200 people [040]
1945
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose and Virginia Rose in their garden at 560 Kenmore Ave [041]
1973
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose standing outside of house at 560 Kenmore Ave. [042]
1970
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose on horseback in Yosemite National Park with daughters Virginia and Mary [043]
1947
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose next to cake at his 70th birthday party [044]
1976
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose sitting in stands at sporting event [045]
undated
Box 2:7
(left-right) William Pittman, Tarea Pittman, Carl Metoyer, Virginia Rose, and Joshua Rose at event [046]
undated
Box 2:7
Virginia Rose (third from the left) with group of unidentified women [047]
1950
Box 2:7
Alpha Kappa Alpha event, Baule, San Francisco, (left-right) Byron Rumford, Elsie Rumford, Cora Mary, Blanche, Julia Vitero,
Helen Cooper, Gladys Jordon, Arnetta Wallace, J. Oscar Williams [048]
1948
Box 2:7
Opening of Northwest Y.M.C.A., Dr. Tom Browne, Joshua Rose, and unidentified man [049]
1947
Box 2:7
Joshua and Virginia Rose, meditation and bio-feedback with Peggy [050]
1981
Box 2:7
Group photograph of high school band [051]
1954
Box 2:7
Joshua Rosa cutting cake at his 62nd birthday party [052]
1968
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with unidentified woman, opening of Northwest Oakland Y.M.C.A. [053]
1947
Box 2:7
Opening of Northwest Y.M.C.A., Dr. Tom Browne, Joshua Rose, and unidentified man [054]
1947
Box 2:7
Group photograph of Oakland City Council wives, (left-right) Virginia Rose, Chialua [?], Mrs. Eng, Mrs. Ogawa, Mrs. Coto,
Elsie Giovanni council secretary [055]
undated
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose shaking hands with unidentified man while seated at dinner table, Trade Club, Oakland Chamber of Commerce [056],
1966
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose presenting resolution to Ken Moeller of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce at retirement [057]
1976
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with five unidentified men [058]
undated
Box 2:7
Oakland City Council members with mayor John Reading [059]
circa 1970s
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with seven unidentified men holding
Welcome to Payless tape [060]
undated
Box 2:7
Oakland City Council members with mayor John Reading [061]
circa 1970s
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose standing with ten unidentified men next to exhibit,
Oakland California the big league city [062] [62]
undated
Box 2:7
Joshua Rosa seated at table with group of unidentified men, U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii [063]
1966
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with Elks Club officers at groundbreaking ceremony [065]
undated
Box 2:7
Oakland City Council members with mayor John Reading [066]
1973
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose with two unidentified men and woman next to Toastmasters International sign [067]
1967
Box 2:7
Group photograph of West Oakland Health Center groundbreaking ceremony [068]
undated
Box 2:7
Joshua Rose holding shovel with members of the Salvation Army [069]
undated
Box 2:8
Oakland City Council members with mayor John Reading [070]
1969
Box 2:8
Contact sheet of eight images of Joshua Rose in his office at downtown Y.M.C.A [071]
1964
Box 2:8
Group photograph at Tribune Carriers Dinner, District manager, District manager Francis Ar., Joshua Rose, Richard Rose (son),
Lewis A. Baskerville, Mr. and Mrs. Tapia, Marshall Tapia, Gil Callies, Mrs. Beal, William Bubbles Beal, unidentified person
[072]
1950
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose publicity photograph for city council election
1965
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose at 70th birthday party
1976
Box 2:8
Portrait of Joshua and Virginia Rose
1935
Box 2:8
Joshua and Virginia Rose on sidewalk in Riverton, New York City
1958
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose (seated) and Rick
1963
Box 2:8
Joshua and Virginia Rose in front of antique car at Lake Merritt
circa 1960s
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose with Ricky, Virginia, and Mary Rose at Mt. Lassen
1948
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose, Ricky Rose, Virginia Rose, Mary Rose, Nancy Gates, and Judy Gates on the beach at Half Moon Bay
1943
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose at the Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco, California
1939
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose and Richard Rose in Montclair, New Jersey
1937
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose and Richard Rose in Montclair, New Jersey
1935
Box 2:8
Joshua Rose standing with five unidentified men in front of High Point Service Station, Coal Center, Pennsylvania [010]
1930
