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Helen Adele Johnson Whiting papers

 Collection
Identifier: aarl89-005

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the papers of Helen Adele Johnson Whiting from 1929-1982. Includes correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed material, scrapbooks, biographical information on Whiting, and writings by Whiting. The materials document Whiting's pioneering work in the field of elementary progressive education and the education of African American children. Correspondents include W.E.B. Du Bois; Ambrose Caliver, Senior Specialist in the Education of Negroes, Dept. of the Interior; John Hope; and James Weldon Johnson. Printed material includes programs, announcements, and invitations pertaining to the National Conference on Fundamental Problems in the Education of Negroes and the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within Bulk, 1929-1950
  • Bulk, 1929-1950 1929-1982 bulk (1929-1950)

Creator

Restrictions on Use

There are no restrictions on research use of this collection.

Copyright Restrictions

Prior permission from the Research Library must be obtained in writing before any portion of this collection can be published or reproduced.

Historical Sketch

The following biographical sketch contains excerpts from a letter written by Helen A. Whiting, a prominent Black educator in the South fom the early part of this century to the late 1950's, to Miss Judith Nicali, Center Church, Hartford, connecticut, April 21, 1953. This letter can be found in the Helen A. Whiting Collection, which also contains many newspaper clippings, correspondence, invitations, and a copy of her book, Booker T. Washingtons' Contribution To Education, 1929. Mrs. Whiting was born in 1885 and died in 1959.



"In those days there were no free kindergartens so my parents paid for me to attend a private kindergarten. They also paid for me to attend a children's dancing school and to take music at a music school. I had to play during our music recitals"

"As a child I loved to write verse at home as we were never encouraged to do creative writing at school. My mother always encouraged me to write........"

"My home consisted of a large library where students and scholars met frequently for use of our books...." We as children were blessed with a fine collection of childrens books.

"I completed the elementary school, high school, and Howard University of Washington, D. C. Later attended Columbia University, Iowa University, Chicago University, and New York University preparing to train teachers and supervisors, Later on I returned to Art, my first love, and studied sculpting and painting in New York, Chicago, and one summer joined an art colony abroad a schooner in Gloucester, Massachusetts."

Extent

0.5 Linear feet

Language

English

Overview

The collection consists of the papers of Helen Adele Johnson Whiting from 1929-1982. Includes correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed material, scrapbooks, biographical information on Whiting, and writings by Whiting. The materials document Whiting's pioneering work in the field of elementary progressive education and the education of African American children. Correspondents include W.E.B. Du Bois; Ambrose Caliver, Senior Specialist in the Education of Negroes, Dept. of the Interior; John Hope; and James Weldon Johnson. Printed material includes programs, announcements, and invitations pertaining to the National Conference on Fundamental Problems in the Education of Negroes and the White House Conference on Child Health and Protection.

Arrangement of Collection

Arranged by type.

Title
Inventory of the Helen Adele Johnson Whiting Papers aarl89-005 aarl89-005
Author
Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Date
2004 September 15
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032