Carrie Burton Overton Photographs
Collection
Identifier: UAV000340
Scope and Content
The collection includes a series of studio portraits dating from around the time of Overton's marriage; portraits of family members and some other individuals; scenes at Howard University and the Tuskegee Institute; and several panoramic group pictures at alumni, political and arts events.
Dates
- 1913 - 1960
Creator
- Overton, Carrie Burton (Person)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Patrons must make an appointment with the AV Department prior to visiting. Box 2 restricted due to preservation concerns: access at discretion of AV Archivist.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.
For image reproduction, contact the AV Department.
History
Carrie Burton Overton was active in African-American educational, political and arts organizations through much of the twentieth century. Mrs. Overton was born in Laramie, Wyoming, on July 20, 1888 (sometimes listed as 1895). She was the first female African American student to attend the University of Wyoming. She was encouraged to continue her education in music at Howard University. A group of Laramie society women sponsored a recital to raise funds for her fare; she played the piano, accompanying the soprano Madame Landor with the University of Wyoming orchestra. She worked as a secretary at the university while attending classes. Overton later earned degrees in music at the Juilliard School and English literature at Columbia University.
She married George Willford Boomer Overton, a teacher, at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity house at Howard on August 6, 1913. She and her husband lived in Washington, D.C., for several years before moving to New York City in 1923.
In her career, Carrie Overton worked at the University of Wyoming, Howard University, the USDA, the US Census Bureau, the NAACP, the Community Church of New York, the Vanguard Press, the National Urban League, and the Eastern Division of Colored Voters of the Democratic Party. She died in 1975.
She married George Willford Boomer Overton, a teacher, at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity house at Howard on August 6, 1913. She and her husband lived in Washington, D.C., for several years before moving to New York City in 1923.
In her career, Carrie Overton worked at the University of Wyoming, Howard University, the USDA, the US Census Bureau, the NAACP, the Community Church of New York, the Vanguard Press, the National Urban League, and the Eastern Division of Colored Voters of the Democratic Party. She died in 1975.
Extent
.75 Linear Feet ((2 MB).) : Photographic prints.
Abstract
Carrie Burton Overton was active in African-American educational, political and arts organizations through much of the twentieth century. The collection includes a series of studio portraits dating from around the time of her marriage; portraits of family members and some other individuals; scenes at Howard University and the Tuskegee Institute; and several panoramic group pictures at alumni, political and arts events.
Arrangement
Arranged by format and then by subject.
Acquisition
Ms. Burton placed her papers and photographs in the Reuther Archives of Labor History and Urban Affairs in 1969, 1971 and 1973; the papers were opened for research in January 1974.
Other Copies
Most of the photographs, including all of the panoramic views (Box 2) have been digitized. Digital image numbers are included with item descriptions in the inventory.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Walter P. Reuther Library in April 2008. Finding aid revised by Deborah Rice on March 23, 2017.
Creator
- Overton, Carrie Burton (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Carrie Burton Overton Photographs
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Walter P. Reuther Library.
- Date
- 2017-03-23
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA