In this issue: The Voices of Gregory: John Hightower; Volunteer Spotlight: Andrea Estrada; Preserving the Black Press
The Voices of Gregory: John Hightower
by Aleah Parsons, MLIS | Archivist II/Oral History Archivist
Here at the African American History Research Center (AAHRC), we prioritize conducting oral histories with alumni who remember the school and the community of Fourth Ward during the 20th Century. The following is a recollection of John Hightower’s experience at the Gregory School.
A New Start in Houston & Attending the Gregory School
John Hightower was born in 1937 in Huntsville, Texas, to David and Daisy Hightower. John spent the first few years of his life living on his grandparents’ farm in Huntsville. He remembers fondly swimming in water holes, riding his horse, playing with his dog and just being a boy. All of that changed when John moved with his family to Houston, Texas, around 1940.
He and his family moved to Fourth Ward and lived on Shaw Street next to Antioch Baptist Church. About a year later John began attending the Gregory School. Because of his schooling in Huntsville, John was far ahead of the other students in his class and often felt bored in school. At the Gregory School, Principal Butte, known as a strict disciplinarian to all students, decided to skip John from the fourth to the fifth grade. Shortly after, he was skipped to the sixth grade, but this was not enough for John, who had his own dreams of attending Booker T. Washington High School in Houston and playing basketball. John pretended to be his father and successfully enrolled himself into Booker T. Washington to achieve his dream. Sadly, after a couple of days, his mother found out and made him go back to the Gregory School. John recalls being afraid to return to the Gregory School believing that Principal Butte would punish him for leaving. However, Principal Butte was merciful towards John and promised to keep him busy for the rest of his time at the Gregory School.
In 1950, John successfully graduated from the Gregory School and went on to achieve his dream of attending Booker T. Washington and playing basketball, which he was very good at.
To learn more about other Gregory School Alumni check out our oral history collection Houston Oral History Project - Gregory School Interviews - Houston Public Library Digital Archives (oclc.org) on the Houston Public Library Digital Archives and stay tuned for the publishing of John Hightower’s oral history.
Volunteer Spotlight: Andrea Estrada
I’m Andrea Estrada and I’ve been a volunteer with the AAHRC for about a year and a half. I’m a history and general science studies student at Austin Community College. I’m a born and raised Houstonian, and I grew up visiting HPL’s libraries as often as I could, leaving with an armful of books. I plan on attending the University of North Texas this fall to finish my bachelor’s degree in information science, and hopefully I will complete my MLIS to continue to work in archives. Outside of school and my volunteer work, I love to travel to U.S. National Parks (I’ve visited 15 of the 64 parks so far!), cross-stitch, play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends, and read.
Volunteer Work at the AAHRC:
I’ve worked on a wide array of projects and collections during my time at AAHRC. Some of my favorites include writing metadata for oral histories of local community figures, transcribing correspondence written during World War II between Clifford and Hortense Smith, and inventorying a collection donated by the Houston branch of The Links, Inc., which included photos of Links members with U.S. Representative Mickey Leland. I’ve also helped organize and inventory funeral programs of local community members as well as cassettes and CDs with sermons recorded at Trinity United Methodist Church.
I’m currently processing a collection of works donated by Dr. Michael Botson that he used to write his book Labor, Civil Rights, and The Hughes Tool Company. The contents of the collection include handwritten notes, photos, and recorded interviews with retirees from the Hughes Tool Company who fought against unfair wage scales based on race. Although I’ve never processed a collection by myself, the archivists here at AAHRC have been very helpful and patient, giving me guidance and experience that I wouldn’t ordinarily have until at least a couple of years down the line in my academic career.
In between my projects, I also enjoy walking around the reading room and browsing the books, wishing I could check them out. Through my time here, I’ve been able to learn so much more about Houston’s African American history while also acquiring skills and general archives knowledge that I will be able to apply in my future studies and career. It has been such a rewarding experience to volunteer at AAHRC and I encourage anyone with time and an interest in history and public service to volunteer as well!
Preserving the Black Press
by Sheena Wilson | Manager
Newspapers are an invaluable primary resource that document the rich, multifaceted history of communities across the world. These publications have chronicled pivotal moments of both success and struggle in the daily lives of Black communities globally. Local Houston newspapers, such as the Houston Informer, Houston Defender, Houston Forward Times, and the Negro Labor News among others, have provided essential voices to the community, offering perspectives often omitted from mainstream media.
While the need for access to historical newspapers is clear, preserving physical copies poses significant challenges. Over time, the naturally acidic nature of paper causes it to deteriorate when exposed to fluctuating environmental factors like humidity, light, and temperature. Limited storage space and financial constraints further hinder efforts to properly archive and maintain these historical documents. To ensure these records remain publicly accessible, we have undertaken a newspaper digitization project in recent years to tackle these preservation challenges. By converting microform and physical newspapers into digital formats, we aim to ensure their longevity, increase user-friendliness, and enable continued use for future generations. Most importantly, the digitized papers will be searchable, making them a more valuable tool for researchers.
Houston Forward Times
The Houston Forward Times stands as the largest Black-owned and independently operated newspaper in Houston and the American South. Launched in 1960 by Julius Carter, this weekly publication focuses on stories relevant to Houston's Black community, departing from the national scope of most newspapers to provide a narrative that reflects the interests of its local readership.
The Houston Forward Times digitization project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Grant # LS-252486-OLS-22). * (2023) and Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Grant # LS-256843-OLS-24). * 2024
Read digital issues of the Houston Forward Times: https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17006coll12/search
The Houston Informer
The Houston Informer, established in 1919 by C.F. Richardson Sr., was a prominent weekly newspaper that gave voice to the Black community in Houston and across the state. The Informer frequently published content addressing issues of importance to the community, including discriminatory voting practices and education. In later years, the Houston Informer merged with the Texas Freeman, becoming the Informer and Texas Freeman, before eventually being renamed simply as the Informer. A smaller-scale project is underway to digitize and upload this periodical online.
Read digital issues of The Houston Informer:
https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p17006coll183/search
Browse a list of historical African American newspapers available at the research center from cities in Texas and Louisiana:
https://houstonlibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=66825685
Request a Speaker
Are you interested in deepening your understanding of Houston’s African American history? The African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus offers a wealth of resources to support your research and learning. We provide both virtual and in-person workshops and presentations that delve into our extensive archives and research materials.
If you would like to request a speaker for your event or learn more about our outreach offerings, email us at hpl.gregoryschool@houstontx.gov.
In this issue: Digital Archives FAQ, Part 2; Preservation Processes – Rehousing the Houston Forward Times Newspapers; Adinkra Symbols: Sankofa; The Power of Memory & History: Why Our Stories Must Be Preserved Now More Than Ever
Digital Archives FAQ, Part 2
Emmalee Miller l Digitization Technician
One of my responsibilities is answering the reproduction requests that the African American History Research Center receives. Since my last article about the Houston Public Library Digital Archive (HPLDA) there have been some changes to the website. Here are some answers to some additional common questions I’ve received, along with updated information about how to access this valuable resource.
1. The website changed; how can I access the digital archive now?
a. You can access the digital archive by going to www.houstonlibrary.org, typing in your search topic, selecting Digital Archive from the drop-down menu, and then clicking the search button.
b. If you want to browse by collection, go to www.houstonlibrary.org. Click on Research and select Digital Archives, then scroll down and select African American History.
2. I cannot access the Reproduction and Permission form as the Reproduction/Copyright page no longer exists. How can I access it from the Houston Public Library website?
a. You can access the form directly at this hyperlink.
b. Or select Get Help at the top of the Houston Public Library website. Click on the drop-down arrow next to “Collections, Archives & Research.”
i. Select “Historical Photograph Reproductions.”
3. When I do a search, I am mostly seeing funeral programs, newspapers, and newsletters. How can I filter those out of my results?
a. On the left side of the screen, there is a box titled “Collections.”
i. Uncheck the boxes next to: African American Funeral Programs, Antioch Baptist Church Way Collection, Houston Forward Times Collection, and Houston Informer.
ii. Then click on the “Update” button at the bottom of the Collections box.
4. What is the email for the African American History Research Center?
a. All reference questions should be sent to: hpl.gregoryschool@houstontx.gov.
b. All reproduction requests and photo reference questions should be sent to: hpl.gregoryphoto@houstontx.gov.
Have fun exploring HPLDA and learning more about Houston’s wealth of Black History!
Preservation Processes – Rehousing the Houston Forward Times Newspapers
Victoria Alvarenga | Archivist I/Processing Archivist
One of our major long-term projects at AAHRC is the digitization of the Houston Forward Times newspaper. While we do have a selection of microfilm reels of this and other newspapers, having a format that can reach a wider audience is essential to share our mission of preserving and showcasing the history of Black Houstonians. As one team diligently edits files and makes the text readable, the last step in the process isn’t uploading items to the digital archive, but rather when we rehouse and preserve the original copies.
Like our other newspaper collections, the Houston Forward Times was a weekly serial rather than a daily publication, and each issue is dated on Saturdays. It was established by Julius P. Carter in 1960 and succeeded by his wife, Lenora Carter, upon his death in 1971. At that point, the newspaper was the third most popular publication in Houston and reported on both local and national news.
We have thirty-four bound volumes of the Houston Forward Times, spanning from 1961 to 1979, with a few duplicates, and several boxes of unbound issues from the 1980s. We don’t have scales to get the exact weights, but I would say the volumes generally weigh about thirty pounds or more, before the rehousing process adds an extra two to three pounds. These books are so thick that the issues are screwed together, in addition to the normal bookbinding process.
Even with the best preservation efforts, newspaper materials are extremely sensitive to damage, and the paper itself is guaranteed to disintegrate over time. The edges of the newspapers would crumble even with gentle handling, and many volumes were exposed to water or liquid damage, which resulted in stains and even severe mold growth. One of the more unfortunate forms of damage is the holes in both the paper and volume covers, caused by insects eating away at the materials. With the compounding types of damage, we needed to ensure that any preservation methods would be enough to ensure these items wouldn’t decay further.
For each volume, I would wear gloves to prevent any oils from my hands transferring to the already delicate covers and papers, and to prevent any contamination between each book. I wrapped each volume in a few layers of tissue paper and ensured the open edges were tucked securely to avoid any fragments from spilling into the box. I then placed the books into individual boxes, and for the larger boxes, I added filler boards to prevent the volumes from shifting around in the open space.
During this project, we used acid-free tissue paper and boxes to improve preservation outcomes. Apart from limiting physical contact with the volumes, they also help minimize environmental damage, such as light and dust exposure. Once all of the volumes were rehoused, they were moved to the archives and placed on the shelves in pairs and organized by year. Even with unlimited space, I would not put more than three volumes on top of each other due to their sheer weight.
Now that these volumes are safely preserved, it’s unlikely that they will be removed for displays or direct use. Often in archival work, one of the best preservation strategies is to limit or outright restrict direct handling of materials, but that doesn’t mean access is denied. You can find these issues, along with other newspapers, scanned and uploaded to the Houston Public Library Digital Archive for easy reading and faster research in the Houston Forward Times Collection - Houston Public Library Digital Archives.
Adinkra Symbols: Sankofa
Tracey King | Sr. Library Assistant/Gift Shop Manager
Sankofa is one of the eight Ghanaian akansha symbol systems created by Africans to communicate with each other (SANKOFA – Learn from the past – African Burial Ground National Monument (U.S. National Park service), n.d.). The Sankofa bird is looking back with her feet planted forward while her head is facing backward, holding her precious egg in her mouth. It literally translates she is looking back in time to shape her future.
The Ghanaian people of Africa believe that there must be a steady rhythm of moving forward and new learning as time passes (The Sankofa bird teaches us about the future | Global Sisters Report, 2021). The Sankofa Bird inspires us to honor our ancestors and respect the collective journey they faced during a difficult time in American History. To continue our forward march, the knowledge of the past must never be forgotten, forgiven, or repeated. The past shall set you free.
After the enslaved Africans were freed in Texas on, June 19, 1865, they found their way to Houston and settled on uninhabited land on the outskirts of town. Their new settlement was called Freedman Town, now the Freedmen’s Town Historic District. This area is the oldest established African American community in Houston (Houston Public Library, 2019).
In traditional Akan art, the Sankofa symbol frequently appears, and has been adopted and used on many African American buildings and Diaspora communities to represent the need to contemplate on the past to build a successful future (Sankofa - Wikipedia. (2006). You can find this symbol and others at the front entrance of the African American History Research Center.
CITATIONS
African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy. (2016). Texas Historical Commission.
Houston Public Library. (2019). Welcome to the African American Library at the Gregory School [Brochure].
SANKOFA – Learn from the past – African Burial Ground National Monument (U.S. National Park service). (n.d.). NPS.Gov Homepage (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved January 26, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/sankofa.htm.
The Power of Memory & History: Why Our Stories Must Be Preserved Now More Than Ever
Sheena Wilson | Manager
Archives are indispensable links serving as hallowed spaces where fragments of scattered stories of lives can be reassembled as documented evidence of history. Archival sources offer a tangible connection, pulling individuals out of a historical void and rooting them and their family in the community’s heritage and historical narrative. By providing access to these experiences, through letters, photographs, oral histories and more, the archive gives an unfiltered lens into past lived realities, habitually omitted from mainstream historical narratives. More importantly archiving allows cultural and ethnic groups to define themselves rather than be defined by others.
In recent years, there has been a surge of misinformation and revision history in marginalized communities. By preserving these communities’ histories, archives counteract false narratives and stand as irrefutable evidence by contributing primary sources to ensure historical accuracy and accountability. This is essential to maintaining the integrity of collective history. Archives are indispensable tools for education and for uncovering and preserving historical truth. The African American History Research Center (AAHRC) provides primary source materials for researchers and the general public. If you’ve visited, our exhibits offer a brief unfiltered lens of everyday life in Black Houston. But there are many more narratives preserved within the physical archives.
Preserving our collective history is not merely an act of remembrance, rather an investment in protecting the historical accuracy of history for future generations. Certain historical documents and artifacts are truly irreplaceable. They are not just relics, but direct channels to the past offering singular insights that cannot be replicated. An original charter, a handwritten letter, a rare photograph of a building which no longer stands, or a scrapbook which documents an organizations events provide tangible evidence of how people lived, detailing a story that no secondary source can replicate. A loss of these sources is not simply a disappearance of an object, but a permanent erasure which may lead to irreparable gaps in the understanding of history.
Equally important, and possibly more valuable are the experiences held within the memories of our elders. These living repositories contain stories, traditions, and wisdom, which offer personal perspectives that written records seldom capture. The urgency of preserving these narratives cannot be overstated, as they are inherently tied to undocumented experiences. When an elder passes, a library of undocumented history vanishes forever. Safeguarding both the physical keepsakes and lingering echoes of these narratives is more important now than ever. As archivists, we are the custodians of our history for those who come after us. The testament of this history is documented with the collection at the AAHRC.
How YOU Can Be a Part of This Essential Work?
The AAHRC is only possible with community support. Over the past fifteen years, all the items in our 500 collections were donated by people like you. YOU can be a part of this important work by donating your personal, family, or organizational records. We are seeking photographs, videos, documents, scrapbooks that document everyday Black life in the Houston area. Not sure if you are ready to let go of your family photos? That’s normal and its okay, we are here to answer any questions and ensure you understand the benefits of archiving your history. If you have items, you would like to donate, or questions contact us https://houstonlibrary.org/contact-hrc. The most important thing you can do is to spread the word that we exist and share the archive's mission with your family and friends.
Scholar-In-Residence: The Chitlin' Circuit in Texas
The current Scholar-in-residence for AARHC and Rice University’s CERCL is researching the Chitlin’ Circuit in Texas—those legendary night clubs and juke joints where music, dance, food, and community come alive. She is seeking participants to share their memorable experiences of attending performances at Chitlin' Circuit venues in Texas (primarily the southeast portion of the state).
If you are interested in sharing your story as part of her oral history project, email chitlincircuittx@gmail.com or take the survey.
Centennial Celebration
Get ready to celebrate a century of learning! The iconic 1926 Gregory Elementary School building on Victor Street is turning a spectacular 100 next year. If you once walked these historic halls, we're looking for YOU to join our centennial celebration! Share your fabulous oral histories and treasured photos of your time there. Let's make this milestone unforgettable together! Want to be a part of history? Email us at hpl.gregoryschool@houstontx.gov to participate.