Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Annamae Barlup Myers & Stephen Harriman Diaries, 1883-1894, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Annamae Barlup Myers & Stephen Harriman Diaries, 1883-1894, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Annamae Barlup Myers & Stephen Harriman Diaries, 1883-1894, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Annamae Barlup Myers & Stephen Harriman Diaries, 1883-1894, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Annamae Barlup Myers & Stephen Harriman Diaries, 1883-1894, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Sponsor:
Digitization of this collection was made possible by Andrew and Anya Shiva.
The film, George Washington Carver, starring Carver himself, was filmed in 1939 and released in 1940. Ben Parker was the director and Robert L. Shurr wrote the screenplay.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of a copy of the original script for the motion picture George Washington Carver and a scrapbook detailing the motion picture's press. The bulk of the material dates to the production and release of the film, 1939-1940. There is additional correspondence from Shurr concerning the film dated 1968. The scrapbook contains photographs from the film. There are reference copies for the script and scrapbook.
Biographical / Historical:
The film, George Washington Carver, was an independent production of Bryant Productions, directed by Ben Parker and written by Robert L. Shurr. An article on Dr. George Washington Carver in Life magazine reportedly inspired the original idea for Parker. After a personal visit by Parker, Carver consented not only to approve the film but to appear in it. Parker engaged Robert L. Shurr to write the screenplay, originally titled Devil Cotton or the Story of Dr. Carver. The screenplay combined both a documentary and fictional narrative style. The screenplay detailed Carver's early life including a fictitious romantic relationship. The cast included: Ralph Edwards, Raye Gilbert, John J. Marvin, and Milton Sprague.
Raising funds for the project and making the film were both difficult. Parker eventually raised $2,000 from Allen McDowell who is listed as one of the film's producers. The film, which reportedly cost $14,000, was shot in Alabama with a small crew and very basic equipment. The film crew and those helping with the filming experienced violence from the white community which reportedly stoned McDowell and two of the film's local white participants. The film was released independently and played in a few RKO owned theatres but apparently never recouped its cost. In 1940, $10,000 was taken in at the film's premiere at Tuskegee Institute. Most likely, this was the film's largest audience.
We have no further information about the production or producer, our initial research has been unable to locate any further details concerning this film. A print of the film in its entirety is not known to exist, but portions of it are seen in a thirty minute video from Schlesinger Video Productions entitled Black Americans of Achievement: George Washington Carver.
Carver, a world famous agrichemist, was born near Diamond Grove, Missouri, circa 1864 to a woman named Mary. In 1896, he went to Tuskegee Institute as the head of the Agricultural Department and stayed there until his death on January 5, 1943.
Carver found many uses for the peanut, sweet potato, pecan, soybean, and cotton stalk. His important contributions to the Southern economy were: to diversify, utilize the land more efficiently, and in an ecologically friendly way, build up the soil, cope with plant diseases, and utilize research results in farm activities.
Among the many honors he received were: fellow, British Royal Society of Arts, 1916; Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1923; and the Theodore Roosevelt Medal, 1939. He was widely admired and Henry Ford included a replica of his birthplace at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan.
In his personal life Carver was never married and current scholarship indicates that he may have been homosexual. The historian, Horace L. Griffin, in his 2006 book Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians & Gays in Black Churches, details the clandestine homosexual life of Carver and others. Pertaining to Carver's habit of giving peanut oil massages to his male friends, Linda O. McMurry in her 1982 biography of Carver, George Washington Carver, Scientist and Symbol, relates, "Most of his male friends received at least one massage from the professor," but evidence that it ever went beyond massage is not detailed. Beginning in 1935, Carver's constant companion was Austin W. Curtis, Jr. a graduate of Cornell who taught at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College before coming to Tuskegee and joining Carver as his assistant.
Rackham Holt, Carver's biographer, describes the relationship between the two men in his 1943 biography, George Washington Carver: an American Biography, "At last someone had been welcomed not merely into Dr. Carver's laboratory, but also into his heart. He believed that there was something providential in the coming of this young man, so intensely serious about his work and extremely competent at it, who was at the same time a genial companion; he was proud of him and loved and depended on him as his own son . . . . And the affection was returned in full measure. Mr. Curtis accompanied him everywhere, seeing to his comfort, shielding him from intrusion, and acting as his official mouthpiece." Carver had a standing invitation to visit Henry Ford at his plantation in Ways, Georgia, where guest rooms were kept prepared for both Carver and Curtis. Carver died in Tuskegee, Alabama on January 5, 1943 and was buried in the churchyard of the college chapel. The National Park Service owns and maintains 210 acres of the farm where Carver was born as the George Washington Carver National Monument.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Robert L. Shurr in October 1984.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Robert L. Shurr Script and Scrapbook for the Motion Picture "George Washington Carver", 1939-1968, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
United States of America -- South Carolina -- Frogmore
Date:
1932 July
Scope and Contents:
Lorenzo Dow Turner took this image on Fripp's Point, Frogmore, St. Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina while doing research in the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia between 1931 and 1933.
Biographical:
Parris Capers was born on December 1, 1872, to Josiah and Susan (Susanna) Capers at William Fripp's old plantation, renamed Fripp's Point, in St. Helena Island, SC. William Fripp held 326 enslaved people on his plantation on October 24, 1860. A little over a year later, on November 7, 1861, upon the Union forces' arrival, all the owners and their families left, leaving the plantations abandoned and in the enslaved people's hands. Eventually, the plantations were sold to pay taxes, which allowed many newly freed people to acquire properties. Josiah Capers was one of those who bought land. In 1880 he owned a farm valued at $1,000 where he planted corn, peas, and sweet potatoes and tended to chickens which produced 300 eggs in 1879.
Josiah's relative prosperity allowed young Parris to attend eight years of school at the Penn Center. The school was created in 1862 by Quaker and Unitarian missionaries to teach the children in St. Helena Island. His studies allowed Parris to proudly inform Dr. Turner in 1932 that he was able to read and write.
Parris remained on his father's farm and probably inherited the parcel of 66 acres of land he owned in 1932 when his father passed away. He also worked as a trapper during the winter and at one point owned a store. In 1932 Dr. Turner described him as having "a good physique" and being very industrious and intelligent.
Parris Capers married Rose [Rosa] Mungin around 1894. Rose was the oldest daughter of Arthur and Charity Mungin and was born in St. Helena Island around 1876. They had at least seven children, one who died very early in their marriage and then Lizzie, Evans, Manley, Charity, Sarah, and Rosa Lee.
Tragedy struck the family within the year after Dr. Turner visited them. Manley (Mannie) Capers died on November 12, 1932, after being interned in a mental hospital in Columbia, SC, for eight months. Evans Capers died March 23, 1933, of accidental drowning. He worked as a fisherman.
Parris Capers lived a long life and passed away in June 1970 at 97 years of age.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Lorenzo Dow Turner took this image in Fripp's Point, Frogmore, St. Helena Island, Beaufort County, South Carolina while doing research in the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia between 1931 and 1933.
Biographical:
Parris Capers was born on December 1, 1872, to Josiah and Susan (Susanna) Capers at William Fripp's old plantation, renamed Fripp's Point, in St. Helena Island, SC. William Fripp held 326 enslaved people on his plantation on October 24, 1860. A little over a year later, on November 7, 1861, upon the Union forces' arrival, all the owners and their families left, leaving the plantations abandoned and in the enslaved people's hands. Eventually, the plantations were sold to pay taxes, which allowed many newly freed people to acquire properties. Josiah Capers was one of those who bought land. In 1880 he owned a farm valued at $1,000 where he planted corn, peas, and sweet potatoes and tended to chickens which produced 300 eggs in 1879.
Josiah's relative prosperity allowed young Parris to attend eight years of school at the Penn Center. The school was created in 1862 by Quaker and Unitarian missionaries to teach the children in St. Helena Island. His studies allowed Parris to proudly inform Dr. Turner in 1932 that he was able to read and write.
Parris remained on his father's farm and probably inherited the parcel of 66 acres of land he owned in 1932 when his father passed away. He also worked as a trapper during the winter and at one point owned a store. In 1932 Dr. Turner described him as having "a good physique" and being very industrious and intelligent.
Parris Capers married Rose [Rosa] Mungin around 1894. Rose was the oldest daughter of Arthur and Charity Mungin and was born in St. Helena Island around 1876. They had at least seven children, one who died very early in their marriage and then Lizzie, Evans, Manley, Charity, Sarah, and Rosa Lee.
Tragedy struck the family within the year after Dr. Turner visited them. Manley (Mannie) Capers died on November 12, 1932, after being interned in a mental hospital in Columbia, SC, for eight months. Evans Capers died March 23, 1933, of accidental drowning. He worked as a fisherman.
Parris Capers lived a long life and passed away in June 1970 at 97 years of age.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Shuckin' of the corn --Sweet potato --Johnson boys -- Rubin Ranzo --Oh Mona --Midnight Special --Out after beer -- Crying holy --Dance boatman --Puttin' on the style --Ezekiel -- Home in that rock --Oxtail rag-out --Walking cane --Away Rio.
Track Information:
101 Shuckin' of the Corn / Shanty Boys, Lionel Kilberg, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
102 Sweet Potato / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
103 Johnson Boys / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
104 Reuben Ranzo / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
105 Oh, Mona / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
106 The Midnight Special / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
107 Out After Beer / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
108 Crying Holy / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
201 Dance Boatman / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
202 Putting on the Style / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
203 Ezekial Saw the Wheel / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
204 Home in That Rock / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
205 Ox-tail Rag Out / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
206 Walking Cane / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
207 Away Rio / Shanty Boys, Roger Sprung. Banjo,Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-LP-2621
Elektra.142
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
New York Elektra 1959
General:
American folk songs. Program notes by Lee Hays on container; lyrics ([8] p.) inserted. Performer(s): The Shanty Boys: Mike Cohen, guitar & lead vocals ; Lionel Kilberg, Brownie bass ; Roger Sprung, banjo.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
1 Go in and Out the Window 2:28 2 She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain Public Domain [1] 3:03 3 Skip to My Lou Traditional 4:47 4 Here We Go Loopy-Lou 2:24 5 Goin' to Boston Ritchie 1:57 6 Little Sally Walker Leadbelly 1:36 7 I've Been Workin' on the Railroad Traditional 1:08 8 Let Us Come In Reynolds 3:13 9 Birthday Polka Reynolds 1:20 10 Captain Jinks 2:20 11 Bob-A-Needle 1:24 12 Mary Wore Her Red Dress Lomax/Lomax 2:11 13 Redbird Leadbelly/Lomax 3:04 14 Soon as We Cook Sweet Potatoes 3:32 15 I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder Seeger 2:07 16 Ha, Ha, This-A-Way Leadbelly 4:07
Track Information:
101 Go In and Out the Window / Banjo.
102 She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain / Banjo.
103 Skip to My Lou / Banjo.
104 Here We Go Luby-Loo / Banjo.
105 Going to Boston / Banjo.
106 Little Sally Walker / Banjo.
201 I've Been Working on the Railroad / Banjo.
202 Let Us Come In / Banjo.
203 Birthday Polka / Banjo.
204 I Wonder What Tinya Can Do / Banjo.
205 Captain Jinks / Banjo.
206 Bob a Needle / Banjo.
207 Mary Wore a Red Dress / Banjo.
208 Red Bird / Banjo.
209 Ha Ha This A-Way / Banjo.
210 Soon as We All Cook Sweet Potatoes / Banjo.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-3072
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
General:
Folkways 45023
CDR copy- Disc 341
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Worried man blues--Poor Howard--Soon as we all cook sweet potatoes--Tinya Singhu--Wimoweh--Don't weep after me
Track Information:
101 Worried Man Blues / Memphis Slim, Pete Seeger, Willie Dixon. Banjo,Piano.
103 Soon As We All Cook Sweet Potatoes / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
104 Tinya Singhu / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
105 Wimoweh / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
106 Don't You Weep After Me / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
102 Poor Howard Dead and Gone / Pete Seeger. Banjo.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-3217
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
General:
CDR copy-Disc 444
REEL 4/4;TEXT IN BOX;
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Collection is open for research but negatives and audiovisuial materials are stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Some papers of living persons are restricted. Access to restricted portions may be arranged by request to the donor. Gloves required for unprotected photographs. Viewing film portions of the collection and listening to LP recording requires special appointment. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
The Archives Center does not own exclusive rights to these materials. Copyright for all materials is retained by the donor, Franklin A. Robinson, Jr.; permission for commercial use and/or publication may be requested from the donor through the Archives Center. Military Records for Franklin A. Robinson (b. 1932) and correspondence from Richard I. Damalouji (1961-2014) are restricted; written permission is needed to research these files. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
The Robinson and Via Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Preservation of the 8mm films in this collection was made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Film Preservation Fund.
