History Research Archives

RESEARCH ARCHIVES

Black History

Hardy Professional Building
Pictured (L-R): Rev. Frank Gordon & Dr. Walter S.E. Hardy

 BLACK HISTORY: Dr. J.B. Young and Dr. G.W. Harmen were the first two Black physicians to set up medical offices in Knoxville in 1869.


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Over 50,000 items representing Black History and Culture in East Tennessee

Beck Archive Studio

The Beck archives are filled with over 50,000 objects spanning over 200 years of African American history and culture. 

Our team of archivists are digitizing and cataloging our important collection. They are dedicated to making these important materials available online. 

In the mean time, we encourage you to sign up for the Beck e-Newsletter to get weekly articles and daily Black History Facts. Beck is Black History & Culture 365, and during leap year, Beck is Black History & Culture 366. 



Please keep checking back often as we are busy assembling a library of historical data for your perusal. 

Black History & Culture e-Newsletter

Learn more about Black History and Culture with stories featured from the Beck Archives every week!

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Photo: Knoxville College students in attendance for a formal gathering. James G. Beck is standing in the back row, third from the right.

ARCHIVE STUDIO
Research Lab

ARCHIVE STUDIO 

The Archive Studio is located in a 2,500 square feet temperature-controlled environment with over 50,000 objects documenting over 200 years of local and regional African American history and culture. The Urban Renewal Project grant, awarded by IMLS under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture, is allowing a more in-depth assessment of the people, places and effects of Urban Renewal and its continuing impact. While the Archive Studio is not available for public viewing, the grant is enabling Beck the opportunity to digitize the collection so that is available and accessible for community and scholarly research. 


RESEARCH LAB

The Research Lab is available and accessible to the public for community and scholarly research. The Lab is filled with files of individuals, groups and institutions. Included in the Lab are old Black newspapers, handbills, booklets, newsletters, and the like. The collection includes The Knoxville Bulletin, published February 25, 1882, issues of the East Tennessee News published from 1909-1919, the Flashlight Herald, The Independent Call, and Harper’s Weekly dated as far back as 1861. The Lab contains a sampling of the Negro Green Motorist Books, published in New York City by Victor H. Green (1936-1964). 

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