A "colored only" sign was a segregation-era sign typically found in the United States during the Jim Crow era, which enforced racial segregation in public places. These signs were used to designate areas, facilities, or services that were reserved for people of color and donated by Dr. James Eaton.
The iron "Whites Only" swimming pool sign from Selma, Alabama, dating back to 1931, starkly illustrates the era's racial segregation and discrimination. This historical artifact symbolizes the oppressive Jim Crow laws that enforced racial barriers in public spaces.
This rare mask could belong to the Gurunsi, Boba, or Bwa ethnic groups in Burkina Faso, one of the oldest agricultural groups in that region. They believed in strictly preserving the spirits, which brought balance to a world humans disturb. Each mask is unique, channeling these spirits for performances, celebrations, and harvest rituals.
The Black likeness featured on vintage Cream of Wheat cans represents a historic portrayal of African American culture in advertising. Often depicting a smiling chef, this imagery reflects the era's complex relationship with race and representation in the food industry.
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.
This 1954 Florida postcard shows a striking image of an alligator circling a palm tree, with a Black man seemingly holding on for dear life, his expression filled with fear. The alligators in this serve as a symbolic representation of the dangers and challenges faced by Black men in society, reflecting the racial tensions and struggles of the time.
This vintage Florida souvenir postcard depicts slave quarters built before the Civil War. The image captures small, weathered structures used to house enslaved people on plantations. Such postcards often romanticized the antebellum South, overlooking the harsh realities of slavery while promoting Florida’s historic landscape to tourists.
This rare sculpture unearthed in Nigeria belongs to the Yoruba people of that region. It is believed that a single individual or workshop created this copper alloy sculpture between the 12th and 15th centuries to represent a king or highly respected warrior figure.
This untitled painting from the FAMU Black Archives/Caribbean Art Collection has limited identification for proper attribution. However, the vibrant blue, green, and orange paint jumps out of the frame, showcasing a glimpse into life in the Caribbean.
This untitled painting from the FAMU Black Archives/Caribbean Art Collection has limited identification for proper attribution. While it appears to be the same artist from the collection, this piece depicts a village scene with bright orange lighting basking from a setting, or rising, sun – a contrast from the blue paintings seen earlier.
This untitled painting from the FAMU Black Archives/Caribbean Art Collection has limited identification for proper attribution. It features a lush green scene, complete with a cascading blue waterfall and four people strolling in it.
Black paper doll features movable joints, cut from paper and assembled with small fasteners. The doll, reflecting 19th-century craftsmanship. These dolls, often simple in design, were popular children's toys, but also highlight complex themes of race and identity in post-Reconstruction America.
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.
There is limited information on this African artifact. Still, it is confirmed to be a hand-carved wooden replica of a Tiki or totem pole in fair condition due to visible scratches and patina. It features two long-bearded men sitting on top of each other. They could be ancestors, spirits, or essential pillars in the community.
This hand-carved, wooden sculpture depicts a Caribbean or African man holding what appears to be a pipe and sheathed weapon, possibly a machete, ax, or knife. The object he is holding could also be a musical instrument, but similar statues can attribute him to a farmer or worker.
There is limited information on this vintage African artifact, but it is confirmed to be a hand-carved wooden sculpture in fair condition due to a crack on the back leg of the piece. The piece features a small boy sitting on what appears to be a tree branch (or bone marrow) with two human faces on it while a snake wraps around the tree.
