Umoja Kwanguvu Freedom Summer Collection
Scope and Contents
The Umoja Kwanguvu Freedom Summer Collection consists of five folders containing photographs and personal reminiscences of Kwanguvu's experiences as a Freedom School teacher in 1964, as well as photographs taken during the 35th anniversary of Freedom Summer celebration that took place at The University of Southern Mississippi, June 5- 7, 1999.
Dates
- Creation: 1966, 1999
Creator
- Kwanguvu, Umoja, 1925-2001 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Noncirculating; available for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
Umoja Kwanguvu was born in 1925, as William DeVaughn Jones, in Birmingham , Alabama . He grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Miles College with a major in English. During World War II, in 1944, he was drafted into the Army. During his service, he was a cargo checker on U. S. ships in England and the Philippines . He was honorably discharged in 1945, and returned to Birmingham for a brief time and attended a business college there.
As an African American, Kwanguvu could not find work in accord with his abilities, and he was unable to accept the designation by others that he should know his "place" as a second class citizen, so he enlisted in the Air Force in 1947. During his tenure, he graduated from military dental technician school and served as a dental technician. He was honorably discharged in 1952. Once again, he returned briefly to Birmingham and then moved to Georgia , where he taught English and French for two years. While in Georgia , he provoked his students to question the long-accepted attitude of racial "untouchability." Subsequently, Kwanguvu was advised by the parents of his students to leave town before he encountered the ire of fervent white supremacists. So, he returned to Birmingham and taught high school English and French.
Kwanguvu spent much of his life as a civil rights activist. He actively protested and defied segregation while in the military, conducted protest activities against the prevailing Jim Crow attitudes and laws in the 1950s, and was arrested in 1953 for drinking from a water fountain in Birmingham labeled "white."
In 1961 Kwanguvu relocated to New York City and taught at an elementary school in Bellmore , Long Island for three years. In April of 1964, he was arrested along with James Farmer, founder of the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE), while picketing the New York World's Fair because of inadequate and demeaning employment of non-white people.
In the summer of 1964, Kwanguvu turned down a scholarship from Columbia University in order to participate in the Mississippi Freedom Summer activities. He was so determined to play an active part in Freedom Summer that he neglected to inform his mother that he was going to Mississippi rather than attending Columbia University .
Kwanguvu volunteered as a Freedom School teacher. He was assigned to the city of Hattiesburg and became a very respected and well-liked figure among his Freedom School students. He also had the distinction of being one of the few African American volunteers assigned to the Hattiesburg area project.
He was arrested on August 17, 1964 for attempting to desegregate the Hattiesburg Public Library. In addition, he was in the company of two other Freedom School teachers, Peter Werner and Susan B. Patterson, when Werner was attacked outside a Hattiesburg drug store.
Kwanguvu taught English in New York from 1967 to 1972 in one of President Lyndon Johnson's anti-poverty programs, Job Opportunities in Neighborhoods (JOIN). From 1972 until his retirement in 1994, he served as Coordinator of Student Affairs and College-Wide Events at LaGuardia Community College , a unit of the City University of New York. After his retirement, he served as recording secretary of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and in the late 1990s he served as a volunteer with City Harvest of New York, an organization that gathers and distributes food for homeless people who occupy shelters within the city. At various points in his career, Kwanguvu found time to take classes at Wayne State University , Southern University, and the University of Connecticut .
Umoja Kwanguvu died March 19, 2001 in Detroit , following a struggle with cancer. A memorial service was held in his honor on may 24 at LaGuardia Community College , where he was a staff member for more than twenty years.
Extent
,25 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photographs and personal reminiscences of his experiences as a Freedom School teacher in Hattiesburg during Freedom Summer 1964.
Arrangement
Folder 1 contains 14 prints of black and white photographs taken by Umoja Kwanguvu during the summer of 1964, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Folder 2 contains four sheets of black and white contact prints of photos taken during the summer of 1964. Kwanguvu noted that the photos in which he does not appear were taken by him. According to Kwanguvu, all other images were taken by various Freedom School students and volunteers.
Folder 3 contains a photocopy of a Hattiesburg American newspaper article that tells of Kwanguvu's arrest during an attempt to desegregate the Hattiesburg Public Library, as well as a copy of his arrest receipt. Both items are dated August 17, 1964 . Also in this folder are copies of two student newsletters: Voice of the Movement (July 21, 1964) and Student Voice Truelight (July 24, 1964).
Folder 4 contains personal accounts of three different incidents that occurred during the summer of 1964, written by Kwanguvu in 1999:
"Picnic at Vernon Dahmer's" (April 22, 1999)
"Violent Incident in Downtown Hattiesburg " (April 1999)
"Refusal at Owl's Drugstore" (April 1999)
Folder 5 contains six color photographs taken during the 35th anniversary reunion of Freedom Summer in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, June 1999.
Provenance
The majority of materials in this collection were donated by Umoja Kwanguvu in 1999. Several items were added in 2002 and 2003.
Existence and Location of Copies
For Digitized Materials from this collection, see: External Documents link at bottom of page.
Sources
Contents of the Collection
An Oral History with Umoja Kwanguvu. Mississippi Oral History Program, Vol. 738.
University of Southern Mississippi. June 8, 1999.
Photograph Log
M366-2 Marc Blackman 3 x 3 B & W August 4, 1964 Twelve-year old Marc Blackman is seated at or near a street corner just after hearing that the bodies of three civil rights workers had been found. Photo Features: Marc Blackman (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 1, A1) Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Marc Blackman, Aug. 12, 1964; Marc had just heard that bodies of three Civil Rights workers had been found a few minutes ago
M366-3 Two young girls play Scrabble 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Two young girls play Scrabble while seated on the porch of the home where Umoja Kwanguvu stayed during the summer of 1964. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Who said they couldn’t learn? (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 3, E6) Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Who said that they couldn’t learn? Hattiesburg 1964
M366-4 Kids on pile of boxes 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Kids on pile of boxes. Boxes are filled with books and clothing from the North. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Kids crown pile of books and clothing from North. (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 3, B1) Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Kids crown pile of books & clothes from North. Hattiesburg MS 1964
M366-5 Two boys work at Freedom House 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Two boys work at Freedom House, one is sweeping the porch while the other appears to be raking. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: We’re happy to sweep the Freedom House. (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 3, F5)
M366-6 Children underneath a tree 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Children are shown underneath a tree, some at the foot with others on a limb. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: This tree never refuses us! Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: This tree never refuses us! Hattiesburg MS 1964
M366-7 Kwanguvu in front of Freedom School 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu in front of Freedom School in Hattiesburg. Wearing a cap and standing in the shade, Kwanguvu is enjoying the “pastoral spot.” Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Let me enjoy this pastoral spot before Goldwater defoliates it. (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 4, B4)
M366-8 Kwanguvu with others on “Miss” Patton’s porch 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu with others on “Miss” Patton’s porch. Kwanguvu is surrounded by four children and two young men. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: At “Miss” Patton’s, my summer home and “mother” in Hattiesburg, Miss. Civil rights movement.
M366-9 Kids at Freedom House 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Kids on the porch of Freedom House. Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) signs hang on the wall. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-10 Freedom School students demonstrate 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Freedom School students, directed by Linda Allenstein of California, demonstrated outside of a segregated bar that is located in an African American neighborhood. Note the “white only” sign above the door. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Linda Allenstein directs F.S. students in demonstration, in front of segregated bar in black neighborhood. Note “white only” sign that we ripped off later. Photo Features: Linda Allenstein, Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Hattiesburg, Miss; Linda Allenstein, of California, directs F.S. students in demonstration, in front of segregated bar in black neighborhood. Note “white only” sign that we ripped off later.
M366-11 Freedom School students conduct a pep rally at demonstration 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Group of Freedom School students conducting a pep rally at their demonstration in front of the segregated bar located in an African American neighborhood. Carolyn Walker is identified as central figure in photograph. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Students conduct pep rally at demonstration in front of “white only” tavern. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Students conduct pep rally at demonstration in front of “white only” tavern
M366-12 Refused at local theater 3 x 3 B & W August 1964 Group of young men stands outside a local theater after being refused admittance. All young men featured are Hattiesburg residents. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Negro boys of Hattiesburg, Miss., being refused at theater. (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 1, A3) Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Black boys of Hattiesburg Miss. Being refused at theatre, Aug. 1964
M366-13 Female volunteer entering St. Paul 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Female volunteer entering St. Paul Methodist Church. Voter registration project meetings took place here during Freedom Summer. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Civil rights voter registration project at Methodist Church. (See also Folder 2, Contact sheet 1, C4) Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Civil Rights, Voter Registration project at Methodist Church
M366-14 Developing youth leadership meeting 3 x 3 B & W 1964 Group of youth sitting in the choir pews of a church. Youth leadership meeting is lead by a man with his back to the camera. The man in the right corner appears to be Umoja Kwanguvu. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Developing youth leadership.
M366-15 Desegregation attempt at local theater 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Group of young African American men is gathered in front of the ticket office at a Hattiesburg theater in an attempt at desegregation. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: Trying to desegregate a local Hattiesburg theater. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Trying to desegregate a local Hattiesburg Theater
M366-16 Local horseman with umbrella (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Older African American man rides his horse through town. Photograph was taken at a local gas station. Man carries an umbrella and cane. Horse is seen from the side. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: A local “horseman” with umbrella. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: A local “Horseman: with umbrella
M366-17 Local horseman with umbrella (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Older African American man shown riding his horse around town. Photograph shows the horse from the front with four men standing next to the gas pumps on the right. Man carries an umbrella and cane. Written in Kwanguvu’s handwriting: A local “horseman” with umbrella. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: A local “Horseman” with umbrella
M366-18 Boys on horse near sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two boys sit on the back of the “horseman’s” horse. Horse is grazing on a patch of grass near a sidewalk. Standing on the sidewalk is a young man with shorts and a white hat. Puddle of water covers the sidewalk. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-19 Boys on horse near sidewalk, closer view 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Closer view of the two boys on the back of the “horseman’s” horse. Horse is grazing on grass near a sidewalk where a young man and young boy, both wearing white hats, look at the camera. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-20 Men on sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of two men standing on the sidewalk, both wearing hats. Another man is walking towards them on the left. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-21 Man in hat 1 x 1 B & W 1964 African American man sitting down and pointing downward. He wears a white shirt and straw hat. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-22 Kwanguvu on steps of local church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu, wearing a suit and tie, sits on the side of the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist. He is sitting next to an unidentified man and woman.
M366-23 Peter Werner and other volunteers on steps of local church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Freedom Summer volunteer Peter Werner, standing and dressed in a white shirt and black tie, stands with other volunteers as they line the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: I think that this is Peter Werner, A college student volunteer from Michigan who was beaten by a local white man as he (Peter) Susan Patterson and I were entering a Woolworth Store to buy Freedom School Supplies
M366-24 Volunteers on steps of local church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Large group of Freedom Summer volunteers lines the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-25 Volunteers on steps of local church, closer view (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Closer view of Freedom Summer volunteers gathered at a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist.
M366-26 Volunteers on steps of local church, closer view (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Closer, slightly out of focus, view of group of volunteers on the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist. Umoja Kwanguvu appears on the second row of steps, smiling and looking to the right.
M366-27 Three ladies talking 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of three ladies standing on the side of the street talking. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-28 People gathering along sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Group of people gathering along a sidewalk as though a meeting is about to take place. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-29 Meeting inside a local church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 View from the back of the sanctuary of a local church. Photograph shows the backs of peoples’ heads as they look forward to the speaker. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-30 Freedom Summer volunteers at meeting 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a group of Freedom Summer volunteers, some sitting and some standing, at a meeting. Meeting is being held in the sanctuary of a local church. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-31 Singing at Freedom Summer meeting (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 View from the front of the sanctuary of a local church during a Freedom Summer meeting. The room is packed tight as people are standing and singing while clasping hands. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-32 Singing at Freedom Summer meeting (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Another view of singing at a Freedom Summer meeting in the sanctuary of a local church. Participants are standing in front of their seats, singing and clasping hands. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-33 Playing Scrabble for the first time (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows two young African American men playing Scrabble for the first time. Others crowd around to watch. The group is gathered on the porch of a house. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Playing Scrabble for the first time
M366-34 Playing Scrabble for the first time (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 View from above of two young men playing Scrabble for the first time as others crowd around. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Playing Scrabble for the first time
M366-35 Playing Scrabble for the first time (3) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Another view taken standing above the young men playing Scrabble for the first time. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Playing Scrabble for the first time
M366-36 Playing Scrabble for the first time (4) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 View from the ground of the two young men playing Scrabble for the first time on a porch. Children are sitting close and watching them play. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Playing Scrabble for the first time
M366-37 Teens on the porch of Freedom House 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Four local teenagers, three boys and one girl, sit on the edge of the porch of Freedom House. As they pose for the picture, another young man has his back to the camera, on the left. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-38 Close-up of Scrabble board 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Close-up view of the Scrabble board. Hands and feet of local children feature prominently in the photograph. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-39 Group Scrabble 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows that two young girls have joined the Scrabble game. The porch on which they sit is that of “Miss” Patton’s where Kwanguvu stayed during his summer in Hattiesburg. Volunteer Susan Patterson is in the background. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-40 Volunteer Susan Patterson 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of Freedom Summer volunteer Susan Patterson, from New York. Patterson was a Freedom School teacher. Two men stand talking near a car behind her. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Susan Patterson, volunteer teacher from N.Y.
M366-41 Kwanguvu surrounded by children 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is sitting in a glider in front of his “summer” home in Hattiesburg while being surrounded by local children. Scrabble board is visible in the right corner of the porch.
M366-42 “Miss” Patton’s front porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Group of children is sitting on the corner of the porch of “Miss” Patton’s house. This is the house where Umoja Kwanguvu stayed during Freedom Summer in Hattiesburg. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-43 “Shopping” downtown 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu and a Freedom School student are shown shopping in a local store in downtown Hattiesburg.
M366-44 Window shopping downtown 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu with some Freedom School students. They are downtown looking in a store window. The group is deciding to seek admittance to a local segregated theater.
M366-45 Outside local theater (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three Freedom School students stand in front of a movie poster outside a local theater. An unidentified woman is standing on the far right. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: I’m with Freedom School youth deciding whether to seek admittance to segregated Theater in downtown Hattiesburg
M366-46 Outside local theater (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three Freedom School students stand facing a movie poster that is outside of a local theater. An unidentified woman is standing on the far right. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: I’m with Freedom School youth deciding whether to seek admittance to segregated Theater in downtown Hattiesburg
M366-47 Standing on a downtown street 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two Freedom School students are shown standing on a downtown street in Hattiesburg. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-48 Outside Freedom Democratic Party headquarters (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young African American men are standing in front of the Freedom Democratic Party Headquarters. They are both pointing at the word “Freedom” on the sign. This was the campaign headquarters of Mrs. Victoria Jackson Gray for United States Senate. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-49 Outside Freedom Democratic Party headquarters (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young African American men stand in front of the sign posted on the outside of the Freedom Democratic Party campaign headquarters. Building was used as the election headquarters for Mrs. Victoria Jackson Gray who was campaigning for the United States Senate. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-50 Local boys on Mobile Street 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young African American boys are standing in the street. In the background can be seen the City Beauty Salon and a shoe shine sign. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-51 Local youth standing on Mobile Street 1 x 1 B & W 1964 A local African American boy is standing in the street holding a stack of papers. A shoe shine sign is at his feet. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Local youth standing with “Downed” white only sign at his feet
M366-52 Learning to play Scrabble (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is surrounded by a group of local youth. He is teaching them to play Scrabble.
M366-53 Learning to play Scrabble (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Another view of Umoja Kwanguvu and local youth he is teaching to play Scrabble. This view from above shows six children.
M366-54 Learning to play Scrabble (3) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Taken from another angle, this photograph of Umoja Kwanguvu and local children playing Scrabble gives a view of the game board.
M366-55 Freedom House porch in the distance 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows the side of the porch on Freedom House. One local young man is walking toward the camera and further behind him, you can see other youths sitting on the porch. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-56 Crowd on corner of porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Crowd of local boys, various ages, is gathered on the corner of the porch of Freedom House. All heads are turned and focused on something central. Only one person is facing the camera. Local youth Anthony Harris is peering out from the crowd, smiling. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-57 Card game 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Although this photograph is dark, you can see a close-up view of a card game going on among a crowd of local youth. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-58 Porch is full 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows the porch of Freedom House is running over with activity. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-59 Crowded around Kwanguvu 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of Umoja Kwanguvu sitting on the porch of Freedom House with a group of young men of various ages crowded around him. One young boy is holding up a baseball while another is in the background posing as though ready to bat the ball. Local youth Anthony Harris is crouched beside Kwanguvu’s shoulder.
M366-60 Batter up! 1 x 1 B & W 1964 In the foreground of this photograph is a leg, outstretched as though winding up to pitch a baseball. Further back, you can see a young boy poised and ready to swing the stick that he is holding as a bat. Photograph was taken on the porch of Freedom House.
M366-61 Kwanguvu socializing 1 x 1 B & W 1964 View of Umoja Kwanguvu talking with a few of the older boys on the porch of Freedom House. He is chatting with one young man in particular and he has his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
M366-62 Boys 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young boys are walking up a street next to what appears to be a church. The boy closest to the camera looks to be older than the boy in the background is.
M366-63 Fallen bicycle 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Close-up view of a bicycle that had fallen over on to the ground. You can see the feet of those youth crowded round the Freedom House porch, playing cards.
M366-64 Playing cards 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Several older boys are gathered on the edge of the Freedom House porch. They seem to be laughing and one of them is showing his cards to the camera.
M366-65 Kwanguvu teaching a nonviolent position 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is shown standing over a young boy as he is being instructed to curl into a protective posture. The boy’s head and knees are tucked in as he lay on his side, exhibiting nonviolent resistance.
M366-66 Standing in front of a segregated bar 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three older boys are standing in front of a segregated bar located in an African American neighborhood. The face of the young man on the left is obscured. There is a “white only” sign above the door of the bar and someone is looking out from the inside.
M366-67 Desegregating a Hattiesburg luncheonette (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows three young boys, Freedom School students, eating at a booth in a segregated luncheonette located in downtown Hattiesburg. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: We’re desegregating a luncheonette in Downtown Hattiesburg
M366-68 Desegregating a Hattiesburg luncheonette (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu and three young boys, Freedom School students, are shown eating at a booth in a segregated luncheonette located in downtown Hattiesburg.
M366-69 Desegregating a Hattiesburg luncheonette (3) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two older boys are sitting at a booth in a segregated luncheonette located in downtown Hattiesburg. The boys are Freedom School students. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: We’re desegregating a luncheonette in Downtown Hattiesburg
M366-70 Desegregating a Hattiesburg luncheonette (4) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Long view of the segregated luncheonette located in downtown Hattiesburg. Umoja Kwanguvu and several Freedom School students were engaged in desegregating the establishment.
M366-71 Inside downtown store 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of Umoja Kwanguvu and an unidentified Freedom School student sitting inside a local retail store. There are bins and racks of shoes behind them. This photograph was taken the same day as the luncheonette desegregation.
M366-72 Downtown (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of three of the Freedom School students who were present with Umoja Kwanguvu during the desegregation of the downtown luncheonette. They are standing on the sidewalk.
M366-73 Downtown (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows two of the Freedom School students who were present with Umoja Kwanguvu during the desegregation of the downtown luncheonette. One boy is facing the camera while the other is looking back over his shoulder. They are standing near the corner of Main Street of downtown Hattiesburg.
M366-74 Sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of a sidewalk. There is also an unidentified person walking along the sidewalk, shown from the waist down.
M366-75 Walking along the sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a group of young men walking along the sidewalk, toward the camera. Most of them are Freedom Summer workers. Two young boys stand in the very right-hand corner.
M366-76 Colonial Bread bus stop (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows three African American males sitting on a Colonial Bread bench at the bus stop. The two boys sitting on the left are older than the boy on the right is.
M366-77 Colonial Bread bus stop (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows two young African American boys sitting together on a Colonial Bread bench at the bus stop.
M366-78 Working inside a local church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Although this photograph is dark, you can still see that activity is taking place. Various people are working and standing about.
M366-79 Kwanguvu resting on a church pew 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is shown resting on the top of a church pew. Behind him, you can see a young man on a ladder, apparently working on the lighting.
M366-80 Kids amidst stack of boxes 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a group of youth sitting among a big stack of boxes. Boxes are filled with supplies for Freedom House. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-81 Youth unload supplies 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows two young men holding a box. They are helping to unload supplies for Freedom House. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Youth unload supplies
M366-82 Neighborhood activity 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows children outside in a local neighborhood. They are riding bicycles, running, and playing.
M366-83 Susan Patterson with parent and youths 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Freedom Summer volunteer Susan Patterson is sitting on the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist. She is seated next to a parent with her two children, both of whom were Freedom School students.
M366-84 On the church steps 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a group of people walking down the steps of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist.
M366-85 Meeting (1) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of a meeting that is taking place inside a local church, which is probably St. Paul Methodist.
M366-86 Meeting (2) 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Another view of a meeting that is taking place inside a local church, which is probably St. Paul Methodist.
M366-87 Susan Patterson with others 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Susan Patterson walking along the road with two African American women. They are likely on their way to do voter registration work after a meeting.
M366-88 Barbershop antics 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows an African American barber about to shave a Caucasian man in a local barbershop. The man about to be shaved has his hands near the barber’s throat, as they seem to be engaged in horseplay.
M366-89 Kwanguvu doing laundry 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is shown loading clothes into a washing machine.
M366-90 Anthony Harris standing next to washing machine 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Local youth Anthony Harris stands next to a washing machine. He is probably helping Umoja Kwanguvu wash clothes. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu
M366-91 Horse and wagon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a horse and wagon that was used during Freedom Summer to haul supplies. Local youth Anthony Harris is shown standing next to the wagon. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Horse & wagon used to haul supplies
M366-92 Kwanguvu standing behind wagon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu standing behind a wagon that was used to haul supplies during Freedom Summer. There is also a station wagon and an old truck in the background.
M366-93 Gravel road 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of an unidentified gravel road.
M366-94 Young man carrying shoes 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph is dark but you can still see a young man approaching the camera with shoes tied together and thrown across his shoulder.
M366-95 Three young men 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three young men are shown two up close with one of them facing the camera. The other young man is seen further back on the left.
M366-96 Kwanguvu with youth 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu with an unidentified youth.
M366-97 Group on bicycles 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows several young boys and a couple of girls gathered in a group. Some are on bicycles while others stand.
M366-98 Ready, set, go! 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph is dark but you can see several young men poised as though they are about to race one another.
M366-99 Kwanguvu playing cards with youth 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu turned to the side with four young boys. They are playing cards.
M366-100 Kwanguvu working outside Freedom House 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu raking next to a tree outside of Freedom House.
M366-101 Youth raking outside Freedom House 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Local youth is shown from the back. He is outside of Freedom House raking.
M366-102 Kwanguvu with Freedom School student 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is standing and talking with a Freedom School student. This is the same student who is raking in the previous photograph.
M366-103 Supply Jeep 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of a Jeep with a trailer attached which was used to haul supplies during Freedom Summer.
M366-104 View of Mobile Street 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Mobile Street, Shell Station on the left.
M366-105 Volunteers riding on supply wagon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows the supply wagon attached to a Jeep. Volunteers are piled on board and sitting among the boxes of supplies.
M366-106 Kwanguvu and others unloading Freedom School supplies 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu and other Freedom Summer volunteers are shown unloading supplies from the wagon. The supplies were for the Freedom Schools.
M366-107 Unloading Freedom School supplies 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Several volunteers are standing in front of the wagon loaded with supplies for the Freedom Schools.
M366-108 Kwanguvu with other volunteers 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is sitting among a stack of boxes. Other volunteers who are helping to unload supplies for the Freedom Schools surround him.
M366-109 Volunteers resting on boxes 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young men are shown sitting on top of boxes. One of the men is smoking a cigarette.
M366-110 Carrying supplies 1 x 1 B & W 1964 A male Freedom Summer volunteer is carrying a box on the top of his head.
M366-111 Unloading the supply wagon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows several people standing near the wagon loaded with boxes of supplies for the Freedom Schools.
M366-112 Kwanguvu with youth, posing on car 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu and others pose for this photograph as they are sitting on a car.
M366-113 On the porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Although this photograph is rather dark, you can see two unidentified young men sitting on the porch at Freedom House. They are both looking at the camera.
M366-114 Local boys posing 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows several young boys posing for the camera. They are standing on a sidewalk, next to a brick building.
M366-115 Resting in front of church 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows people resting on the steps and sidewalk in front of a local church, probably St. Paul Methodist.
M366-116 Group gathering together 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph is dark but you can still see that a group of people is gathering.
M366-117 Young man with watermelon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a group standing back behind a young man in the foreground who has a piece of watermelon in his hand. Photograph appears to have been taken in the evening hours.
M366-118 Kwanguvu with group on porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu and a group of people standing outside on a porch. Kwanguvu is wearing a striped shirt. Photograph appears to have been taken in the evening hours.
M366-119 Young men share watermelon 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three young men are sitting on the edge of a porch. One is holding a piece of watermelon, taking a bite, and the other two are reaching out toward him.
M366-120 Children on the porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows local children scattered around a porch while a group of Freedom Summer volunteers gather behind them. One boy on the porch is holding a snow cone.
M366-121 By-Pass Inn signs 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows Umoja Kwanguvu and two children standing underneath the signs in front of the By-Pass Inn. Some of these signs read “white only.”
M366-122 Jim Crow sign 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Three young boys are shown standing underneath the signs for the By-Pass Inn. Those signs that read “white only” date from the Jim Crow era. Photographer: Umoja Kwanguvu Inscription: Children standing under a Jim Crow sign at eating place in Hattiesburg
M366-123 Man in cowboy hat 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows a young man, wearing a cowboy hat, pointing at the camera.
M366-124 Grass 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of a grassy area with paper on the ground.
M366-125 Youths with “White only” sign 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young boys, dressed in their Sunday clothes, stand in a grassy area. They are standing on top of a “white only” sign.
M366-126 Youths stomp “White only” sign 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young boys, dressed in their Sunday clothes, are stomping and kicking a “white only” sign.
M366-127 “White only” sign 1 x 1 B & W 1964 “White only” sign is shown in the grass.
M366-128 Group of young men in suits 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Five young men are shown walking down a street, toward the camera. The two without jackets, walking close together, were the same two featured in the photographs where the “white only” sign was being dismantled.
M366-129 Young girls in Sunday clothes 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Four young girls are standing next to the street and they are dressed in their Sunday clothes.
M366-130 Two men on sidewalk 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young men are standing on the sidewalk. One of them is wearing a suit while the other is walking out of the frame.
M366-131 Two young girls 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph shows two young girls standing on the street. The taller girl, who is on the left, is holding a soda bottle.
M366-132 Neighborhood boys 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two neighborhood boys are standing in the foreground while two older boys, one on a bicycle, are on the street. Photograph is taken from the porch of “Miss” Patton’s house where Umoja Kwanguvu stayed during Freedom Summer.
M366-133 Group of children on porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Photograph of six young children standing on the porch of “Miss” Patton’s house, summer residence of Umoja Kwanguvu. Anthony Harris is the first person on the left.
M366-134 Kwanguvu with children in front of MFDP sign 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Umoja Kwanguvu is standing with three young boys in front of a building which has a Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) sign above – MFDP Freedom Now!!!
M366-135 Girls playing on edge of porch 1 x 1 B & W 1964 Two young girls are sitting on the edge of a porch, turned facing each other.
M366-136 Bobs Tusa holding a KKK sign 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 USM Archivist Bobs Tusa is holding a poster advertising the Ku Klux Klan. The poster reads: “I want you in the White Knights of Mississippi Ku Klux Klan.” Poster was presented by Ira Grupper. This same poster had been posted on Vernon Dahmer’s property, ca. July 1965.
M366-137 Ira Grupper and Bobs Tusa 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 USM Archivist Bobs Tusa and Ira Grupper stand in front of a desk. Tusa, on the right, is holding a KKK sign that reads: “I want you in the White Knights of Mississippi Ku Klux Klan.” Grupper is holding a newspaper and he had just presented the poster to Tusa. This same poster had been posted on Vernon Dahmer’s property, ca. July 1965.
M366-138 Bobs Tusa and Umoja Kwanguvu 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 USM Archivist Bobs Tusa and Umoja Kwanguvu are standing together in an office doorway in McCain Library and Archives during the activities of the 35th anniversary of Freedom Summer.
M366-139 Kwanguvu in front of site of COFO/MFDP headquarters on Mobile Street 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 Umoja Kwanguvu is standing on Mobile Street in front of the former site of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) and Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) headquarters. Photograph was taken during the 35th anniversary of Freedom Summer.
M366-140 Attendees of 35th Anniversary of Freedom Summer visit Mobile Street (1) 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 Photograph shows a group of thirteen people gathered at an empty lot on Mobile Street, which is the former site of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) and Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) headquarters, Freedom Summer headquarters. Umoja Kwanguvu is the first person on the left. Only one person is unidentified, the last person on the second row. Photo Features: (1st row: Umoja Kwanguvu, Reverend Bob Beech, Peggy Jean Connor’s son-in-law, Joe August, Ira Grupper, Felicia (Peggy Jean Daughter), 2nd row: R.J.(her grandson), Doug Tuchman, Peggy Jean’s granddaughter, Joseph Ellin, Peggy Jean Connor, Nancy Ellin)
M366-141 Attendees of 35th Anniversary of Freedom Summer visit Mobile Street (2) 4 x 6 Color June 6, 1999 Photograph shows a large group of twenty one people gathered in front of an empty lot on Mobile Street, which is the former site of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) and Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) headquarters, Freedom Summer headquarters. Photo Features: (1st row: Sandy Leigh, Mrs. Sara H. Taylor, Terri Shaw, Peggy Jean Connor, Peggy’s granddaughter, Joseph Schwartz, Reverend Bob Beech, Doug Smith, 2nd row: Member of Herbert Randall’s family, Joseph Ellin, Nancy Ellin, Bobs Tusa, Rosalind Randall, Herbert Randall, Joe August, Luther Seabrook, Ira Grupper, Unidentified man, David Owen, Lawrence Spears, Unidentified man).
- Title
- Umoja Kwanguvu Freedom Summer Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345