ST. LOUIS, MO ( KPLR ) -
A simple jacket and an old shoe shine kit are two of the many ordinary things that tell the extraordinary story of the African American experience in St. Louis. All thanks to the man whose family they belonged to.
"Within that community they overcame remarkable disadvantages and really accomplished major things." Dr. Robert Archibald - Missouri History Museum
Those accomplishments are what's documented in the personal collection of Ivan James. Ivan was a heating engineer by trade but was also very active in community organizations in North St. Louis.
In 1995 he and his wife donated their massive collection of memorabilia to the Missouri history museum.
"The history of this community is not only made up of the rich and famous and the visable. It is also made up of the invisible and the people without voices and in order to tell a more complete story of its community it is important to fill in the blanks." Dr. Robert Archibald
The James collection portrays North St. Louis in the 50's and 60's as segregated, but vibrant and self sufficient, with many African American run businesses and social organizations. Some of which thrive to this day.
Dr. Archbald says aquiring these sorts of materials are a critical part of the museum's mission.
"We are going to have to overcome differences and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of people whose experiences are different than our own." - Dr. Archbald
Starting in January the museum welcomes a touring exhibit called "Race - are we so different?"
As the Ivan James collection shows us we are really not so different.
"Within that community they overcame remarkable disadvantages and really accomplished major things." Dr. Robert Archibald - Missouri History Museum
Those accomplishments are what's documented in the personal collection of Ivan James. Ivan was a heating engineer by trade but was also very active in community organizations in North St. Louis.
In 1995 he and his wife donated their massive collection of memorabilia to the Missouri history museum.
"The history of this community is not only made up of the rich and famous and the visable. It is also made up of the invisible and the people without voices and in order to tell a more complete story of its community it is important to fill in the blanks." Dr. Robert Archibald
The James collection portrays North St. Louis in the 50's and 60's as segregated, but vibrant and self sufficient, with many African American run businesses and social organizations. Some of which thrive to this day.
Dr. Archbald says aquiring these sorts of materials are a critical part of the museum's mission.
"We are going to have to overcome differences and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of people whose experiences are different than our own." - Dr. Archbald
Starting in January the museum welcomes a touring exhibit called "Race - are we so different?"
As the Ivan James collection shows us we are really not so different.
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