Interpretting the Collection

In the summer of 2005, the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Museum of Iowa received a grant from the Document Section of the Historical Resource Development Program funded by the State Historical Society of Iowa. The grant funds interpretation of material from the AAHMCCI’s archives and the purchase of supplies to care for additional material. AAHMCCI volunteers called many individuals soliciting donations.

Since August 1, 2005, 4 major collections and 28 minor collections have been donated under this program. Among the items that have been donated have been a photo of the congregation of the oldest African American church in Cedar Rapids, Bethel A.M.E. taken in the 1890’s; a collection of member cards from the same church from 1873 to 1920; a brochure and stock certificate documenting the establishment of OHE Industries, LLC; an African American owned enterprise in Cedar Rapids; photographs of African Americans working at Wilson’s Meat Packing in Cedar Rapids; a collection of papers from the principal charged with integrating the elementary school in Cedar Rapids with the largest minority population; information on a women’s organization “Sistahs in Good Company” in the 1990’s; and many individual photographs.

This grant has encouraged many to donate rare and fascinating items to the archives of the AAHMCCI and has allowed the AAHMCCI to properly care for the items once donated.

Bethel AME Church, Cedar Rapids -- Collection of the AAHMCCI

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