Experience Black life through digitized and curated unpublished papers, documents, letters, and business records chronicling all aspects of life in Houston and Texas. The manuscript and records collections shine a light on families, businesses, churches, and organizations from the 1800s to the present.
This is not an exhaustive list of the images held within the manuscript and photograph archives of the African American History Research Center.
African American History & Heritage Collections
Baltrip Family - MSS 0055
Maude Ester Baltrip was a longtime volunteer in the Houston Independent School District and the local community.
Barbara Jordan Family - MSS 0080
The Barbara Jordan Family Collection highlights the life and legacy of Jordan’s personal life and political career.
Benjamin Covington - MSS 0170
Benjamin Covington was a prominent black physician in Houston from 1903-1961.
Ben T. Desoto - MSS 0118
Ben Tecumseh DeSoto is a local photographer and photojournalist whose collection focuses on Houston's historic Black communities.
Beulah Shepard - MSS 0069
Beulah Shepard is a prominent black woman who participated in late twentieth century women's political activities.
Black Music in Houston - MSS 0259
A collection of newspapers, programs, and images about black music activities in Houston.
C.F. Richardson, Sr. - MSS 1457
C.F. Richardson was an editor, publisher and the owner of Houston Informer and Houston Defender.
DEMETRIUS HEAD COLLECTION - MSS 0176
A collection depicting African American life, culture, and political activities from 1942 to 2010.
ELBERT D. HOWZE - MSS 0171
Elbert D. Howze was a local African American photographer whose collection focuses on Houston's Fourth Ward.
ELBERT TERRY FAMILY - MSS 0140
The collection is comprised of black and white photographs of the Terry family, along with relatives and friends and community areas in Sunnyside.
ERNESTINE MITCHELL - MSS 0052
Ernestine Mitchell was a teacher and principal in the Houston Independent School District during the mid to late twentieth century.
FRANKLIN BEAUTY SCHOOL - RG D 0044
The Franklin School of Beauty was created by Nobia Franklin as an education training center for African American women in hair care.
HARRISON FAMILY - MSS 0130
This collection documents the Harrison Family of Houston, Texas from 1880 to 1980, and features Edwin Harrison, a civic and community leader.
HELEN G. PERRY - MSS 0145
Helen G. Perry collection contains photographs of the Perry family active in civic activities, sports and dancing.
INDEPENDENCE HEIGHTS - RG M 0004
Incorporated in 1915, Independence Heights, was the first all-black city in Texas.
JACK YATES COLLECTION - MSS 0281
Jack Yates was a community leader and preacher at Antioch Baptist Church in Houston’s Fourth Ward.
JEFF COLLINS FAMILY - MSS 0131
This collection is composed of photographs of African-Americans dating from 1885 to 1979, featuring members of the Collins, Gay, Ligons, Johnson, and Williams families.
JOHN CHASE - MSS 0113
John Saunders Chase was the first African American licensed to practice architecture in Texas and the only Black architect in the state for nearly a decade.
JOHNNIE HART BROOKS - MSS 0027
Johnnie Hart Brooks was a longtime educator and the last principal of Gregory Elementary School in Houston.
JUDSON ROBINSON SR. FAMILY - MSS 0143
The Judson Robinson Sr. Family Collection documents Houston in the 1950s and into the 1970s.
MOSES LEROY - MSS 0127
The Moses Leroy Collection contains images of local and national politics and the civil rights movement.
PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH TAPSCOTT FAMILY COLLECTION - RG 0058
This collection evidences the activities of black churches. Researchers interested in black church history and community involvement will find this collection valuable.
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M - RG 0056
Prairie View A&M is a historically black college and university founded in 1876.
REV. LEE HAYWOOD SIMPSON PAPERS - MSS 0139
Rev. Lee Haywood Simpson was a prominent black pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and political activist in Houston.
SANDRA WILSON - MSS 0050
Sandra Ann Wilson is a teacher, longtime Fourth Ward, Houston resident, and a former Gregory Elementary School student.
SLAVE NARRATIVES - MSS 0154
The Slave Narratives collection contains photographs of former slaves who were interviewed by the Works Progressive Administration (WPA) during the 1930s.
SNEED FAMILY COLLECTION - MSS 0149
This collection features black women as professional educators and club women who were active in LINKS, the Smart Set Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Married Ladies Social, Art, and Charity Club.
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS, HOUSTON - RG 0067
The Texas Association of Women’s Clubs, Houston Branch collection contains the history of the City Federation of Women's Clubs from 1957-1985.
THOMPSON FAMILY PORTRAIT - MSS 0132
The Thompson Family collection showcases portraits of black Houstonians from the 19th to 20th century.
WILLIE LEE GAY COLLECTIONS - MSS 0006
Willie Lee Gay’s collection documents her advocacy for preserving African American history.
ZETA AMICAE HOUSTON RECORDS - RG 0050
This collection contains documentary records on the history of the Zeta Amicae Chapter.