Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Matthews, Miriam
- Abstract:
- The Miriam Matthews Photographic Collection consists of 121 photographic prints collected by Miriam Matthews largely related to African American history in California. Roughly half of the collection is photographs of notable African American politicians taken by photographer Harry A. Adams in Southern California between 1955-1964. The remaining photographs are reproductions of images held by other institutions.
- Extent:
- 25 linear feet (1 box)
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
Miriam Matthews Photograph collection, MS 19, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Miriam Matthews Photographic Collection consists of 121 photographic prints collected by Miriam Matthews largely related to African American history in California. Roughly half of the collection is photographs of notable African American politicians taken by photographer Harry A. Adams in Southern California between 1955-1964. The remaining photographs are reproductions of images held by other institutions.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Born in 1905 in Pensacola, Florida to Reuben Hearde and Fannie (Elijah) Matthews, Miriam Matthews (1905-2003) was the Los Angeles Public Library's first professional African American librarian and an important early collector of African American art and history. Matthews earned degrees in librarianship from the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Chicago and served as a branch and regional library manager for the Los Angeles Public Library for 33 years between 1927-1960. She was active in professional and civic organizations and received numerous awards for her contributions to African American history.
- Arrangement:
-
Series I. Photographs
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
- Terms of access:
-
Permission to publish from the Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.
- Preferred citation:
-
Miriam Matthews Photograph collection, MS 19, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
659 14th StreetOakland, CA 94612, US
- Contact:
- (510) 637-0198