Black History Resources for Educators - Delaware Public Archives - State of Delaware

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Documents | Oral Histories & Speeches | eBooks | Education & Government | Additional Resources

Document Resources

African American Subject Guide
A comprehensive guide to African American records in the Delaware Public Archives.

Delaware Laws of 1829
Laws reflecting racial attitudes and legal structures in early 19^th-century Delaware.

Joseph Barker’s “Negro Ledger Book” 1808-1811
Primary source showing transactions of a general merchant with Black customers. (This record is also available on microfilm.)
Resource ID: 9025-K01-000; Box 354502

Schools at War – A Report to the Nation: Frankford Colored School #206
A scrapbook highlighting Black students’ educational experiences during wartime.
Resource ID: 1325-003-095-001; Box 555575, Folder 3

Slavery Papers
Legal documents relating to enslaved individuals in Delaware.
Various collections

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Oral Histories & Speeches

Mrs. Jean Jamison of the NAACP Speaking About Civil Rights; February 6, 1949
Audio of Jean Jamison speaking on civil rights.
Resource ID: 9014-000-001; Disc 271, cut 1, part 2

Senator Herman Holloway, Delaware Senate Floor Discussion; June 30, 1984
Speech regarding House Bill 23, which established Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Delaware.
Resource ID: 1120-000-002_LTS-0540-03a

eBooks

African American Education in Delaware – A History Through Photographs: 1865-1930 by Bradley Skelcher, Ph.D.

A History of African Americans of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore by Carol C. Marks, Ed.

Troubled in Mind: J. Saunders Redding’s Early Years in Wilmington, Delaware by J. Saunders Redding

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Education & Government Collections

Board of Education Photo Collection
Photos of school construction, events, and education milestones.
Resource ID: 8005-000-015 | Collection description

Edmund Steiner Collection, Correspondence
School board correspondence offering insight into education policy in Milford, Delaware.
Resource ID: 9200-S16-000 | Collection description

Educational Directories
Historical directories of educational institutions and personnel.
Resource ID: 1325-003-147_8005

Insurance Evaluations
Reports used to determine insurance coverage for public schools, with photos and data.
Resource ID: 1305-000-005 | Collection description

Legislative Papers (1724–1913)
Records from Delaware’s General Assembly highlighting early legislative history.
Resource ID: 1111-000-000 | Collection description

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Additional Resources

Check out our digital archive (documents, photographs, and audio) on CONTENTdm.

Visit our Digital Archives webpage for a list of our digitized collections.

Search our online catalog for keywords of interest, the Delaware Public Archives Portal.

Review our Educator Resources page for more.

Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos from our collections and more.

Download this page as a PDF

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Please note: We are dedicated to continuously reviewing and enhancing our descriptive practices to incorporate more respectful and inclusive terminology when possible. Please see the Harmful Content Advisory on our website for more information.