The African American Collection

The African American Collection consists of collections of personal papers and archives of organizations active in the African American community of Maine. The bulk of the manuscript collection dates from the 20th century to the present, but a few collections contain items from the 19th century. There are also rare or unique print materials about the community (all 20th century or later) and the book collection of Gerald E. Talbot. The collection focuses on historical sources, excluding creative works of fiction or art, unless such works document the community.

You can view a selection of available digitized items below. Please note that digitization of the African American Collection is ongoing and this selection does not represent the full breadth of our holdings. You can find more information on the African American Collection on our website.

For more information on our processed collections, please search the finding aids.

If you would like to make a monetary contribution to support the African American Collection, you can visit our USM Foundation donation page.

Digitized Items:

African American Maine Photo Album

This collection contains photographs of a group of African American women on vacation in Maine in 1949.

Black and Born in Bangor

This is an oral history of Nancy Dymond. In 1997, Dymond became the first Maine-born African American person to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education from UMaine to then go on and teach in Maine.

The Cummings Guest House Register

The Cummings family of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, ran a guest house catering to the African American community from 1923 until 1993. During that time, the family kept a register to record the signatures and contact information of their guests. Over the years, the Guest House saw guests from all walks of life, including musical legends like Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. This collection includes a fully annotated transcript.

The Griot

The Griot is the newsletter of the African American Archives of Maine, which is part of the Sampson Center for Diversity at the University of Southern Maine. The Griot highlight pieces in the collection and features editorials from people reflecting on the Archives and the African American legacy in Maine.

Eugene Jackson Papers

Eugene B. Jackson, born in Portland, Maine, was a Tuskegee Airman. Included in the papers are Bibles, Books of Common Prayer, devotional books, family photographs, family papers, periodical articles, and Ruby Family notes.

Photographic Portrait of African American Male

A studio portrait of a dapper young man wearing a suit jacket and polka dot shirt.

Photographic Portrait of Pedro Tovookan Parris

Pedro Tovookan Parris lived with the family of Virgil D. Parris. Learn more about his story here.

Gerald E. Talbot Collection

Gerald E. Talbot was the first African American to be elected to the Maine State Legislature. He served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1972 to 1978, and worked with the Maine chapter of the NAACP and the State Board of Education. He also took part in the struggle for civil rights in other parts of the country, as well as in Maine. The Collection includes Talbot’s personal papers, records of his term in the Maine House of Representatives, of his work with the NAACP in Maine and with the State Board of Education. The Collection contains books, serials, posters, artifacts, and photographs documenting African Americans in the United States, with an emphasis on Maine.