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Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Access Restrictions
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Processing Information
  • Biography / Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Arrangement
  • Indexing Terms

  • 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.)
    Oakland, CA 94612
    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.