Research Guides: African American Studies Archival Collections: Black History & Civil Rights

Civil Rights Movement

DISD Desegregation Litigation Archives
Includes papers from Judge Barefoot Sanders; Mr. Ed Cloutman, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs; and those of Mr. Robert Hyer Thomas, the Dallas Independent School District’s lead counsel. Held at Underwood Law Library.

Collection of Bishop College Records
Bishop College was founded in 1881 as a Baptist college for African Americans in Marshall, Texas. This collection contains handwritten reports by administrators and students, photographs, programs, and general information regarding the college's demonstration school activities and the Rural Leadership Training Institute from 1937, 1941 and 1943. Held at DeGolyer Library.

The links below are for audio files of lectures given at SMU that relate to civil rights. The original recordings are held at Bridwell Library.

Systemic Violence and the Revolutionary Response
Given by Nathaniel Lacy, Jr. Circa 1970-1974.
One Humanity Conference Opening Remarks
Given by Nathaniel Lacy, Jr., and Sterling Carey. April 1, 1973.
One Humanity Conference Remarks and Response
Given by Zan W. Holmes, Jr. April 2, 1973.
One Humanity Conference Discussion
Nathaniel Lacy, Jr., and panel. April 3, 1973.

African American Portrait Photographs
Photographs of Black Americans dating back to the 1850s. Digital collection.
African American Newspapers, 1856-1912 on Microfilm
See listing for full list of publications. Microfilm and readers available at Fondren.
Captain Nathaniel S. Wheeler Papers, circa 1866-1868
This collection of letters and printed documents relates to Captain Nathaniel S. Wheeler's command of Company "G" of the 125th U.S. Colored Troops (a.k.a., Buffalo Soldiers) in New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas. Held at DeGolyer Library.
Collection of Documents on African American Enslavement in Texas
Contains materials documenting the trade of slavery in Texas during the nineteenth century. Held at DeGolyer Library.

DeGolyer Library has a collection on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his visit to SMU in 1966 -- and its repercussions (SMU 2018.0456).

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speech at SMU
Includes transcripts and audio recordings of his speech, as well as articles about his time on campus.
Collection on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to SMU, 1965-2014
Includes newspaper clippings, a transcript of the speech, letters, magazines, and an oral history interview. These sources cover the March on Selma in 1965, the MLK speech at SMU in 1966, and Dr. King’s death in 1968.