This letter between former Florida A&M president William H. Gray, Jr. and Walter White of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) discusses the Southern Regional College Plan. Gray wished to stray from the publicity of the controversy; thus, he addressed issues of the Veterans Administration.
This letter between former Florida A&M president William H. Gray, Jr. and former Florida A&M president Benjamin L. Perry – when Perry was still a first lieutenant – discusses curriculum changes to a Vocational Guidance Program for future returning veterans. Perry was the Assistant Advisor and was to be discharged soon with no set plans afterward.
John Woodrow Wilson was a famous painter known for his creative portraits and stylistic approach to social justice. "Black Despair" shows a Black man in a state of anguish with his arms crossed over his head, facing downward, loooking into his lap, resting his body on a table or desk. His right fist sits above his head, and he is wearing a military uniform.
In this photograph, beaming Black soldiers smile and wave out the windows of a bus with the Southern Pacific Lines insignia on the side. Others stand around bags of luggage waiting to enter the transport. While Southern Pacific Lines was known as a locomotive company, this vehicle appeared to be a bus rather than a train car.
John Woodrow Wilson was a famous painter known for his creative portraits and stylistic approach to social justice. "Black Despair" shows a Black man in a state of anguish with his arms crossed over his head, facing downward, loooking into his lap, resting his body on a table or desk. His right fist sits above his head, and he is wearing a military uniform.
The Buffalo Soldier Stratton hat is a distinctive military headgear associated with the African American cavalry regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers, and belonged to Benjamin French. Crafted from durable materials, it features a wide brim and a high crown, symbolizing pride and resilience.
Portraying the brutality of war in the mid-twentieth century, McCowan, a veteran, integrates the wall’s architectural elements (a fire hose and extinguisher) to highlight the tension of the scene. The mushroom cloud above the fire hose highlights Cold War-era anxieties.
The Tuskegee Airman Cockpit USA jacket, crafted in 1987, honors the legendary African American pilots who served during World War II. This leather bomber jacket features insignias and patches reflecting the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Donated by former Tuskegee airman and FAMU alumnus Major Roy Spencer.
In this 1844 correspondence, Bennett Dell requests the return of enslaved individuals from General W. G. Worthe. The letter reflects the legal and personal disputes over enslaved people, who were considered property under the law. This document highlights the control and commodification of Black lives in pre-Civil War Southern society.
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War medal (1861-1865) honors female descendants of Union soldiers. This FCL (Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty) medal features symbolic imagery from the Civil War era, representing service and sacrifice.
Veterans Village was a housing program created to assist veterans who wished to pursue higher education at Florida A&M College. After First Lieutenant James R. Polkinghorne, Jr., a FAMC student, lost his life in battle in 1948, Veterans Village was dedicated in his honor. These documents detail the process of that feat and the ceremony following.
Dr. Albert Briton was the medical director for Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM) and Head Start from the start of the program, brought in by director John Mudd because white physicians in the state were refusing to work in the program. Dr. Briton talks about his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement leading him to work with CDGM.
This black and white photograph shows a Black female U.S. Naval Officer swearing in another Black female. The officer holds a book titled “U.S. Navy Enlisted Service Record.”
Irene V. Clark was a diasporic folklore artist from Washington, D.C. "Five Centuries Ago" depicts Black warriors preparing for battle. In the lead is a man on a horse holding a weapon with an animal by his side. He faces the warriors who follow him as they march under a dark blue sky.
FAMC expanded to accommodate an influx of Florida Negro veterans enrolling, particularly in the Division of Mechanic Arts and technical fields. With $500,000 allocated for a new physical education building and recreation gymnasium, Dr. Gray also introduced out-of-state scholarships and the first GI Bill at FAMC to support veterans' education.
Mark Hewitt was an artist from Boston, MA. "Fort Devens" is a black-and-white drawing of three Black soldiers at a U.S. Army Reserves base in Massachusetts. In 1945, Fort Devens was a protest site for the treatment of the Black Women's Army Corps.
A bolo knife is a traditional cutting tool with a curved blade, commonly used in agricultural and domestic tasks across various cultures, especially in the Philippines and parts of Africa. Its design allows for efficient cutting and slicing, making it ideal for clearing vegetation and harvesting crops. This knife was used by Benjamin French.
Oliver's painting depicts a group of men marching and playing drums and flutes, seemingly as part of a military expedition. The scene is believed to be drawn from the Battle of San Jacinto, the culminating battle of Texas's war against Mexico. The Black man may be Dick the Drummer, a free Black man who was part of the Texas army band.
A letter written to Dr. Moton, the Principle of Tuskegee University, then Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute that no official decision on the location for the military training camp has been decided. Mr. Parks also notes that the camp will be a center to test the physical and mental capacities of the negro recruits.
A newspaper article from the Clarion Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi) providing historical context to the Clinton Project Oral History Collection. The article pinpoints the location of the former POW camp and talks about the treatment of prisoners there.
Clothing worn by FAMU alumnus, Captain James L. Moran when deployed to Honduras, Central America. The mission was called in Spanish, "Ahaus Tara Dos" (Big Pine Two). Captain Moran was tasked with the construction of housing for military personnel and a temporary C 130 Aircraft Runway to deliver supplies and transporting of military personnel.
These original Civil War bullets serve as tangible reminders of the intense conflict that defined a nation divided. Each bullet reflects the technology of the era and the harsh realities faced by soldiers on the battlefield. Collected from various historic sites, they illustrate the significant role of firearms in shaping military strategies.
These original Civil War cannonballs exemplify the artillery used during one of America’s most tumultuous periods. Crafted from iron, they were designed for devastating impact in battles, symbolizing the intensity and destruction of war.
This original Civil War musket, complete with a strap, represents the military history and conflicts that shaped America during the 19th century. Crafted for accuracy and durability, the musket served soldiers on both sides of the war, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and unity.
An official enlistment record of Benjamin L. Perry, Jr., a staff sergeant who served for nine months and 26 days under the Corps of Engineers in the 1940s. This document shows the well-rounded experience of the future president of Florida A&M University, clarifying his vaccinations, “excellent” character, marital status, and honorable discharge.
Rep. David Gibbs served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1992 until his death in 2013. In this interview, Gibbs discusses how he became involved in Mississippi politics. Heavily influenced by his military service, Gibbs explains his campaign strategies and his work with other notable politicians such as Robert Clark and Aaron Henry.
This photograph belongs to the Signal Corps, U.S. Army. Within this picture, two Black female soldiers squat and kneel with a trophy while others smile and pose for the camera. This interracial, intergender photograph shows the inclusivity of the U.S. military.
The Soldier's Handbook, U.S.A., revised in 1898, is a vital historical document designed to guide soldiers in military conduct, tactics, and survival techniques during the Spanish-American War. Featuring practical advice and regulations, it reflects the military culture of the era.
The Southern Cross of Honor "Deo Vindice" medal was awarded to Confederate veterans for their service during the Civil War. Bearing the Latin phrase "God will vindicate," it symbolizes the Lost Cause ideology and Southern pride. This medal, bestowed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
This 1913 Confederate Reunion medal, a souvenir from the United Confederate Veterans (UCV) gathering in Chattanooga, commemorates veterans of the Civil War. The medal features Confederate symbols and celebrates the reunion of former soldiers.
