Chicago Chapter, Friends of Amistad Research Center collection

This collection reflects the contributions of members of the Chicago Chapter of the Friends of the Amistad Research Center documenting African American historical, political, and cultural organizations in Chicago and throughout the United States. The collection consists of collected materials including collected speeches, programs, clippings, sheet music, photographs, and other miscellaneous formats. The organization is also documented through materials from the chapter's founding in 1979. The collection consists of meeting minutes, writings by Irma Kingsley Johnson, by-laws, correspondence, and membership rosters. Many materials reflect information about the Amistad Event of 1839.

Items of note include an 1893 photograph of Ida Wright Clark of Sioux Falls, South Dakota (later Ida Johnson of Chicago); a 1913 photographic postcard with an image of Ernest Clark Jr., Ernestine Clark, Albert L. Clark, Ida Clark, and “Uncle Charles”; a c. 1905 photograph of Ernestine Clark; and an undated photographic postcard of Booker T. Robinson of Winnfield, Louisiana. Other materials include a typewritten history of the Eighth Infantry of the Illinois National Guard buy James C. Hall. Additionally, the collection contains original documents on Whitney M. Young Jr., former Executive Director of the National Urban League. Materials include telegrams offering condolence to Young's sister, Arnita Boswell, upon Young's death. Other materials include commemorative postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service honoring Young; photographs of Young and his family; newspaper clippings on Young and particularly tributes and memorial services after his death; and various event programs from memorial tributes to Young. Other items in this deposit, unrelated to Whitney Young, reflect the activities of this active Amistad Research Center friends’ group.

Personages represented include, Marian Anderson, R. Eugene Pincham, Reuben Sheares, Andrew Young, Whitney M. Joung Jr., and others.

Organizations represented include, R. Nathaniel Dett Club of Music, Allied Arts, National Association of Negro Musicians, Talladega College, and the Chicago Lyric Opera.