Robert N. and Lillian Dunn Perry papers

The bulk of the Robert N. and Lillian Perry papers consist of three years of personal correspondence from Mr. Perry to Lillian, prior to and early in their marriage. The remainder of the collection consists of professional papers, collected items, news clippings, and sheet music. Topics of interest are the histories of Central Congregational United Church of Christ, the Valena C. Jones Normal and Practical School, African American education, the Louisiana Education Association, civil rights in Louisiana, and African American music and spirituals.

The papers have been divided into two series, Correspondence (1934-1981) and Professional Papers and Collected Items (1918-1994). The correspondence is arranged in chronological order with undated material to be found at the end of the series. Professional papers and collected items are arranged alphabetically by document type, organization name or topic. Some materials are very fragile due to acidity or previous water damage.

Series I: Correspondence (1934-1981, undated) boxes 1-6, consist of approximately three hundred letters, post cards, and telegrams. The bulk of the letters were written by Mr. Perry to Mrs. Perry, with some written in French. The letters are romantic in nature and envelopes have been kept with correspondence due to lack of dates. Postmark dates were used to date the correspondence in the shelf listing. In addition, the correspondence includes telegrams of congratulation to the couple on the occasion of their wedding at Dillard University.

Series II: Professional Papers and Collected Items (1918-1994) boxes 7-12, consist of articles, biographical data, memorabilia, financial papers, news clippings, family photographs, sheet music, publications, and programs. Programs for the New Orleans Friends of the Amistad Research Center luncheon, and class reunions for the Walter L. Cohen Senior High School can be located within the series. Of note are sermons by Reverend Robert N. Perry Sr., an Episcopalian rector. Included are histories for Central Congregational United Church of Christ and the Valena C. Jones Normal and Practice School from the 50th class reunion of 1933-1983. Files documenting instructional and cultural endeavors at the Walter L. Cohen SHS under the leadership of Mr. Perry include correspondence, commencement programs, student handbooks and directories. The collection also contains issues of the Journal of the Louisiana Education Association, as well as sheet music and songbooks used for the B-Sharp Music Club and written by Mrs. Perry. The music includes composers James Weldon Johnson, Nathaniel Detts, Jester Hairston, Clarence Cameron White, Lillian Perry, and others. Oversize items are contained within the last two boxes of the series, which consist of articles and newspapers.