Research and Collections Consulted

Rosa Parks gave an address during the Michigan Technological University commencement ceremony, on May 20, 1989. Known as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement" in the United States, Parks was an inspiration to students at spring commencement and she also received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the program.

One of the primary goals of this project was to gain better intellectual control over primary sources held by the Michigan Tech Archives that document the African American experience. By gaining a clearer understanding of what primary sources are available, it became possible to foster a richer research environment for students, historians and other researchers. A variety of materials and formats were utilized to develop the exhibit narrative and the forthcoming subject research guide, which will serve as access points for researchers to conduct further investigations into aspects of local history that are often overlooked. Federal and State Census data, photographs, newspaper articles, city directories, manuscript materials, yearbooks, and other materials were consulted to explore African Americans in the Copper Country. All materials consulted for this project are available for researchers at the Michigan Tech Archives during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Collections Consulted:

Copper Country Vertical Files

Michigan Technological University Vertical Files

Michigan Technological University Yearbook Collection

Keweenaw Digital Archives

1860, 1870, 1880, and 1900 U. S. Federal Census

1864, 1874 Michigan State Census

Polk Directories for Houghton County

MS-001 Quincy Mining Company Collection

MS-002 Calumet and Hecla Mining Companies Collection

MS-080 Copper Range Company Records

MS-057 Historical Newspapers Collection

MS-820 Local Public Records- Houghton County Circuit Court, including Houghton County Circuit Court Calendars and Journals (RG 89-465), Houghton County Tax Rolls (RG 77-105)

Sanborn Perris Maps

MTU-004 Communication Services Photograph Collection

Other sources:

Bradley-Holliday, Valerie. Northern Roots: African Descended Pioneers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bloomington, IN: XLibris 2009.

Green, John M., ed. Negroes in Michigan History. Compiled by Francis H. Warren. Detroit, 1985