THE RILEY ARCHIVAL CENTER AT TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF BLACK ABOLITIONIST PAPERS

A Tallahassee Community College‹John Gilmore Riley African American Center/Museum Inc. partnership, resulting in establishment of the Riley Archive at TCC, and entered into on August 19, 2003, is blossoming into a significant educational and community resource. It is also attracting high interest and attention from donors, according to Riley Director Althemese Barnes and Cherry Alexander, TCC Director of Libraries. President Bill Law and Dean Monte Finkelstein joined Mrs. Barnes and Alexander and PhD Candidate Anthony Dixon, Riley Archive Intern, to receive the nationally significant collection. It consists of 14,000 documents including editorials, sermons, speeches, letters, and essays, written by Black Americans involved in the movement to end slavery in the United States. The role of black Americans in the anti-slavery crusade has been a neglected area in American history, largely because of the unavailability of research materials.

The donation, made possible by Dr. Maxine Jones, Dr. Joe Richardson, and C. Peter Ripley, Director of the Black Abolitionist Papers Research Project, has TCC students, administrators, and faculty buzzing with excitement.

"World War II, African Americans, and the Ledo/Stilwell Road"

Thousands of American Army personnel were called upon to construct the 1079-mile Ledo/Stilwell Road, and of 15,000 troops called, more than 60% were African Americans. The first and last battalions on the scene were the 45th, 823rd, and the 858th Engineers, respectively, all African American Battalions. There were Black road builders, and trucking companies; at least, two Black station hospitals filled with Black nurses, Black doctors, Black dentists, and laboratory technicians; and thousands more African Americans serving in various capacities.

Most official and unofficial histories make little note of the African American troops in this theatre. But there are photos that document the contributions these soldiers made. This exhibit seeks to pay tribute to their great courage and makes these photos, films, and artifacts available to the general public. Several veterans who worked on the Ledo/Stilwell Road were interviewed and have been invited to attend the opening at the Riley House. (Read exhibit notes)

Struggles and Triumphs

A primary tool used to interpret African American history is the museum permanent exhibit, Struggles and Triumphs. The exhibit features mixed media presentation of art taken from historic photographs, people and artifacts. All of the art was created by Eluster Richardson, the museums artist-in- residence. (Read exhibit notes)

Out of the Past: A Noble Witness

The Riley Center/Museum developed this CD-ROM to provide learners with an overview of the influence of the African American community in the development of our state during the years 1855 to 1955. John Gilmore Riley (1857-1954) acts as our guide. Although it appeals to students in grades 4 through 6, it also interests all fascinated with History and the specific subject matter. (See Demo)