Collection Number: M75-1
Collection Title: Eartha M. M. White Papers
Collection Dates: (Inclusive) 1831-1974 (Bulk) 1930-1974
Collection Size: 38 linear ft.
Repository: Manuscripts and Personal Papers, Thomas
G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida
ABSTRACT
Personal correspondence, documents, notes,
memorabilia, printed materials and photographs. Notable materials
include numerous photographs chronicling twentieth century black
history in Jacksonville and historical photographs of urban Jacksonville.
Included in the collection are the photographs of R. Lee Thomas,
a black photographer active in the early twentieth century in the
southern United States. Thomas' work covers primarily southern black
religious and labor groups, circa 1946-49.
LANGUAGE: English.
ACQUISITION
In 1975, the UNF Library acquired a
portion of the estate of Eartha Mary Magdalene White (1876-1974). Dr.
Daniel Schafer, a University of North Florida history professor, was
instrumental in the acquisition.
ACCESS TO THE COLLECTION
The UNF Library encourages use of the White Collection for research
purposes. In order to preserve and protect the collection, casual browsing
and circulation of materials are not feasible. The collection is open
by appointment only - call: 904-620-1533 to make an appointment.
For information relating to Miss White or the collection, email: ebrady@unf.edu
PREFERRED CITATION
Eartha M. M. White Collection, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
ADDITIONAL GUIDES
RELATED MATERIALS
In addition, the Clara White Mission, at 613 West Ashley Street, in downtown Jacksonville
(phone: 904-354-4162) has devoted the second floor to the Eartha M. M. White Historical Museum
and Resource Center. Rare photographs and other artifacts, including Miss White's personal furniture,
are housed there. Serious researchers will want to visit both collections to assure full coverage of materials.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Social welfare and community leader, educator, humanitarian,
and business entrepreneur Eartha M. M. White was born in Jacksonville,
Florida, on November 8, 1876. Member of the Oriental-American Opera
Company, 1895-96; toured U.S. and Europe with Company. Owned
a number of small businesses from 1905-1930: a dry-goods store, employment
bureau, real-estate business, small laundry. Public service activities
included: operated the only orphanage for black children in Duval County;
directed War Camp Community Services; headed the Negro Republican Women
Voters; established the Clara White Mission for black relief activities
and the Eartha M.M. White Nursing Home. Died in Jacksonville on January
18, 1974.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
The collection consists of more than 1,000 items, including her personal
papers, documents, photographs and other memorabilia. The bulk of the
collection are photographs depicting friends, relatives and events
from her long life. Sizes of the photographs vary, ranging from 5x7
to 12x16 inches. A significant amount of her business and personal
correspondence is also included. An extensive subject index is available
for use with the collection.
Since she was an acquaintance and contemporary of many prominent
African American leaders in the United States, the collection also
includes a number of photographs, books, and letters relating to
African American history and African American leaders in the United
States. The collection is particularly valuable for research on
black history in the Northeast Florida region in the twentieth century.
There are rare photographs of early Jacksonville scenes depicting
urban streets, historic churches, and buildings. Particularly significant
are items from the Afro-American Insurance Company (1901-1990),
an historic, black business in Jacksonville, and documentation of
the early business leagues and social associations with which Eartha
White was affiliated.
The collection also contains 156 black and white photographs of southern
African American religious and labor groups, circa 1946-1949, by
photographer R. Lee Thomas of Mound Bayou, Mississippi. His imprint
contains the caption: Made by R. Lee Thomas, Mound Bayou, Mississippi,
The Oldest Negro Town in America. Mr. Thomas was an African American
photographer active in the early twentieth century in the southern
United States, whose work provides photographic documentation of
southern black social life during that time period. The majority
of the photographs depict groups from Birmingham, Alabama, and adjacent
areas.
ARRANGEMENT
Alphabetical by topic; chronological within folder.
INDEX TERMS
The following terms have been used to index the description of
this collection in the Library's online catalog:
White, Eartha M. M., 1876-1974
Thomas, R. Lee
African American women
African American businesspeople
Nursing homes
African American photographers
Clara White Mission
Eartha M. M. White Nursing Home
Duval County (Fla.)--History
Jacksonville (Fla.)--History
CONTAINER LIST / SUBJECT INDEX
The container list provides a listing of the folders as arranged in the
Collection. The multi-page Subject Index provides descriptions
of individual items in the Collection. When available, links are included to
full-text resources and online images.
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