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Gardens and cultural landscapes of Black America visual arts materials

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS400

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photographs, postcards, stereographs, and slides that document Black American residential gardens, cultural landscapes, and farms, in both urban and rural areas. Also a part of the collection are photographs and postcards of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Southeast. These images provide details such as garden and campus design, plant choices, farming methods, and land use as well as social and economic conditions in Black communities. Locations are chiefly within the southeastern United States and are noted whenever known. Individual identities are also noted whenever possible.

Dates

  • approximately 1880-2021, undated

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Extent

389 item(s) (290 black and white photographic prints, 35 color photographic prints, 58 postcards, four stereographs, and two glass slides)

Language

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series: Series I: Residential; and Series II: Institutional. Both series are arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchases and gifts, 2019, with subsequent additions

Content Advisory

This collection contains original unedited versions of all content. Some material may contain depictions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There may be instances of racist language and depictions, particularly regarding Black Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record for the purpose of education and research. The viewpoints expressed in this collection do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers.

Bias in Description

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2021. Some control numbers were not used.

Title
Gardens and cultural landscapes of Black America visual arts materials
Subtitle
ahc.VIS400
Author
Jennie Oldfield
Date
September 2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040