Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 262 black and white photographs of African Americans in military service during World War II. Photographs depict soldiers in combat, receiving honors or awards, performing duties, training, recovering from injuries, and enjoying leisure activities. Some portraits of soldiers are also included.

Scope and Contents The collection contains approximately 270 black and white prints and 83 slides, the majority of which depict the African-American community of the Southwest neighborhood of Washington, D.C., primarily from the 1920s through the 1970s. The photographs document a historic neighborhood that would be largely razed in the 1950s and 1960s, dramatically changing the landscape and population of the neighborhood. The photographs of streets, businesses, and buildings provide visual...

Abstract In this oral history interview, Dr. James E. Pierce discusses his early life in Williamsburg, Virginia, his experiences living and working in various parts of the country, and his life and career in Washington, D.C. Dr. Pierce begins with a discussion of his upbringing and family life in Williamsburg and his service in World War II. He then talks about his career in medical technology, the discrimination he faced as a Black man in the medical field, and his travels around the country. Dr....

Abstract In this oral history interview, Mrs. Jean Washington, a long time D.C. resident, discusses her life and experiences moving from Birmingham, Alabama, to Washington, D.C. Beginning with her early life, Mrs. Washington discusses her upbringing and educational experiences in the East St. Thomas neighborhood of Birmingham during the 1930s and 1940s. She also talks about attending Miles College, beginning her teaching career in Birmingham, and moving to Washington, DC, with her husband in 1958....

Scope and Content While the collection consists of images from nearly a century, the bulk of the photographs range from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s. Images document the people, activities, and sites that make up a part of the National Capital Parks. Highlights include houses that were demolished to make way for the C&O Canal Park, Work being performed by Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration personnel, World War II defense installations, Carter Barron Amphitheater, and flood...