Descriptive Summary
Provenance
Restrictions on Access
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Preferred Citation
Biography
Scope and Content Note
Indexing Terms
Related Material
Descriptive Summary
Title: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention Collection
Date (inclusive): July 1949
Collection number: MS 152
Creator:
Unknown
Extent:
1 box
Languages:
English
Repository:
Special Collections, Robert E. Kennedy Library
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
Abstract: This collection contains black and white photographs taken by an unknown photographer – most likely a delegate – to the 40th
annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention held in Los Angeles, California, from
July 12-17, 1949. Approximately 500 delegates from over 40 states attended the annual conference of America's oldest civil
rights organization. Most photos are informal snapshots depicting the convention's opening and closing sessions; also included
are a few professionally taken group photos of participants.
Abbreviations Used:
c.: circa
NAACP: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
L.A.: Los Angeles
Provenance
Gift, 2004.
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open to qualified researchers by appointment only. For more information on access policies and to obtain a copy
of the Researcher Registration form, please visit the Special Collections Access page. Collection stored remotely. Advance
notice for use required.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
In order to reproduce, publish, broadcast, exhibit, and/or quote from this material, researchers must submit a written request
and obtain formal permission from Special Collections, Cal Poly, as the owner of the physical collection.
Photocopying of material is permitted at staff discretion and provided on a fee basis. Photocopies are not to be used for
any purpose other than for private study, scholarship, or research. Special Collections staff reserves the right to limit
photocopying and deny access or reproduction in cases when, in the opinion of staff, the original materials would be harmed.
Preferred Citation
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention Collection, July 1949, Special Collections,
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Biography
The black and white snapshots that make up the bulk of the collection were probably taken by an unknown attendee--most likely
a delegate--who was present at the 40th annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Convention held
in Los Angeles from July 12-17, 1949. There are also a few professionally taken group photos as well; most do not have studio
imprints on them.
Scope and Content Note
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention Collection contains primarily amateur black
and white photographs taken by an unknown attendee--most likely a delegate--who was present at the 40th annual National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People Convention held in Los Angeles from July 12-17, 1949. There are also a few professionally
taken group photos as well.
Approximately 500 delegates from over 40 states were in attendance. Post-World War II Los Angeles was an up and coming city,
experiencing continued economic and population growth as well as a rise in its national influence. Along with international,
national and local leaders, the attendees advocated for the advancement of civil rights in the United States, particularly
working on behalf of the rights of African-Americans. Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People is America's oldest civil rights organization with a longstanding mission "to ensure the political, educational, social,
and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination."
The opening session took place at the Second Baptist Church, 2412 Griffith Ave., in South Central Los Angeles. This building
was designed by Norman F. Marsh in association with black architect Paul R. Williams and the church has figured prominently
in the African-American civil rights movement. The closing ceremony of the conference was held in the Hollywood Bowl and included
a musical program. Keynote speakers during the 5-day convention included United Nations statesman Dr. Ralph Bunche; Roy Wilkins,
secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; actor, writer and civil rights activist Paul
Robeson; Virgin Islands Gov. William H. Hastie.
In addition to images of the official sessions of the convention, the collection includes assorted snapshots of places of
interest around the Los Angeles environs including the Long Beach skyline and the beachside Cyclone Racer roller coaster ride;
the Lincoln Theatre, located on South Central Avenue, designed by architect John Paxton Perrine and which was at one time
a Negro movie house; street shots of Los Angeles neighborhoods, including South Central.
The provenance, or original organization, of the papers has been preserved for the most part.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention Collection, July 1949 is divided into one
series:
1. Photographs, July 1949
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention Collection, July 1949, is housed in 1 box.
Sources
Berger, Robert.
Sacred Spaces: Historic Houses of Worship in the City of Angels.
Glendale, CA: Balcony Press, 2003.
"Medal Presented Bunche At Rally; 'Bell Has Tolled for Colonial Rule,' U.N. Mediator Tells National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People Convention."
Los Angeles Times 18 Jul 1949: A-1.
Mullio, Cara and Jennifer M. Volland.
Long Beach Architecture: the Unexpected Metropolis. Santa Monica, CA: Hennessey & Ingalls, 2004.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. http://www.naacp.org/
"National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Secretary Puts Nation First; Speaker Differs With Paul Robeson
Views in Citing Negro Demands for Civil Rights."
Los Angeles Times 13 Jul 1949: 22.
"National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will Open Convention in City Today."
Los Angeles Times 12 Jul 1949: 2.
"New Lincoln Theater will Open Friday."
Los Angeles Times 5 Oct. 1927: A-9.
Wade, Wally. "'Greatest Ride' Ends a 38-Year Career."
Los Angeles Times 16 Sept. 1968: 30.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
African Americans -- Civil rights -- California -- History -- 20th century.
African Americans -- California -- Los Angeles -- Social conditions.
Civil rights movements -- California -- History -- 20th century.
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- History -- 20th century.
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Social conditions -- 20th century.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People -- History -- 20th century.
Genre and Forms of Materials
Photographs
Related Material
Related Collections
Department of Special Collections, UCLA Library, Los Angeles, CA:
Los Angeles Daily News Photographs, 1923-1954
Library of Congress:
Noncurrent Records and Photographs of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1964-