Content Description This collection, formed by New Orleans filmmaker Phoebe Ferguson, documents her family history, as well as New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and debutante traditions. Collected genealogical material and news clippings (1979-2001) regard the Ferguson and Williams branches of Ferguson’s family. Noted individuals documented include judge John Howard Ferguson (of Plessy v. Ferguson), businessman and philanthropist Frank B. Williams, and actress Marguerite Clark. Mardi Gras-related materials include...

Content Description The collection contains African American Carnival memorabilia consist of ball programs and invitations (1955-2019) for the New Orleans social aid and pleasure clubs of Zulu, Young Men Illinois Club, Original Illinois Club, Capetowners, Bunch Club, and Jugs Social Club King Nomtoc. Of interest is a series of articles (1991-2012) about African American involvement in New Orleans Mardi Gras by various local authors originally published in Hardy’s annual magazine, Mardi Gras...