Christopher Porche West papers

The papers of California native and New Orleans-based photographer Christopher Porche West contain photographs, printed ephemera, correspondence, news clippings and other collected items that document West's interest in the history and culture of New Orleans' African American and Creole communities.

The strengths of the West papers are the numerous prints of photographs taken by West, as well as the collection of materials formed by him as part of his research on the history and culture of Creoles of Color in Louisiana and, specifically, in New Orleans. Many of the materials within the collection were gathered or created by West as part of his senior thesis project at the University of California-Santa Cruz, which was entitled "Creoles of Color: A Vanishing Louisiana Legacy." Correspondence and grant materials provide background to West's interest in the topic, as well as his efforts to expand the project to additional venues in Louisiana. Materials gathered by West include photographs of historical documents, images from archives and libraries, as well as printed ephemera from numerous social, religious, and educational organizations. Those represented in the collected materials include: the Autocrat Club, Knights of Peter Claver, Corpus Christi Church, Les Jeunes Amis, Original Illinois Club, Young Men's Illinois Club, Tamborine and Fan, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and others, as well as various Mardi Gras krewes and clubs. African American-owned business is represented with material documenting Moret Press, photographer Arthur P. Bedou, and New Orleans restaurants, such as Dooky Chase. Of note also is a U-Matic videotape of a broadcast by WYES in New Orleans entitled Proud Free Men, which focuses on the history of free people of color in the city.

West's photography within the collection focuses on the Mardi Gras Indian tradition in New Orleans and includes numerous images of individuals and parades. Additional photographs document Mardi Gras in general, debutant balls, churches, graves and memorials, funerals, buildings and businesses, as well as groups and individuals. Also present within the collection are a number of glass plate negatives, circa 1880s-1900, of unidentified individuals and scenes, presumably in New Orleans.