African American Stereoview Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Summary

Extent:
0.50 Linear Feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains numerous stereograms taken throughout the Jim Crow Era. The stereograms portray the racist attitudes of the time period. Stereograms are an early form of photography which was often used for educational purposes. When a view finder is used to look at the stereograms, the images appear to be three dimensional.

This stereograph is faded photograph of a man in blackface playing the fiddle. The stereogram is very early, probably around 1860.

This stereogram (previously titled "A Negro Family") introduces the story of an African American family. The family members, who appear to Caucasians in black face, are looking at a raccoon up in a tree. Instead, it is the father of the family who falls out of the tree.

This stereogram (previously titled "A Negro Family") concludes the story of an African American family. The family members, who appear to Caucasians in black face, are looking at a raccoon up in a tree. Instead, it is the father of the family who falls out of the tree.

This stereoview portrays African Americans at a poker party. It was produced by Berry, Kelley and Chadwick of Philadelphia.

This stereogram features a man and woman in blackface, embracing on a swing.

This stereogram depicts an African American man and woman and their dog sitting on a large pile on cotton. A young boy is peeking over the top of the pile.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Stereoscopic photographs
Places:
African Americans--History.