Thomas Greene Bethune

Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune (1849-1908)

Thomas Greene Wiggins Bethune, known as "Blind Tom" was a musical prodigy.  He was born mentally challenged and without sight in Columbus, Georgia in 1849.  He possessed absolute pitch and a marvelous memory. By the age of 10 he was both  piano prodigy and composer.  He was said to have a repertoire of 7,000 pieces, which he learned by having them played to him.  He traveled extensively and created a stir in America and in Europe.  Thomas was believed to have been the first African American to perform at the White house when he played for president James Buchanan in 1860. 

W.C. Handy

W.C. (William Christopher) Handy was born on November 16, 1873 in Florence, Alabama.  W.C. Handy was a trumpeter, bandleader, and composer.  He was known to many as "the Father of the Blues." Handy had a St. Louis connection having lived in the city for some time.  He tried his luck as a musician but was only able to find temporary work on the riverboats.  It was in St.  Louis that he found inspiration for his most popular composition, St. Louis Blues.  

Did you know.....?

"In 1944, at age seventy, Handy made a triumphant return to St. Louis as the main act of the fifth annual Negro Music Festival, held at Sportsman's Park (at Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street) on July 10, 1944. The event was widely publicized in papers from the South Side Journal to the Argus, which featured a full-page advertisement touting the concert as "American's Greatest Cultural Program!" and "a national demonstration of interracial goodwill."  Proceeds from the festival as well as from related events in Chicago and Detroit were donated to the Army and Navy Relief Society."  (from: The archives at Washington University and the Missouri History MuseumRead more: 

http://omeka.wustl.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/music-segregation/handy 

Fun Frederick Facts

Here are some fun and interesting facts about Frederick Douglass.

#1  As a young man in Baltimore, Douglass learned to play the violin.  It was a hobby he enjoyed the rest of his life.

#2  Douglass met President Abraham Lincoln three times during the Civil War.  After the president died, Mrs. Lincoln gave her husband's favorite walking stick to Douglass.

#3  Douglass became active in the Underground Railroad.  His home in Rochester, New York, was a stopping place.  Runaway slaves could hide there until it was safe to travel to the next stop.  Today, people can visit there.

#4  Douglass was know as a great storyteller.  He often made family, friends, and audiences laugh with his tales.

#5  Douglass wrote three books about his life:  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom, and the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.

#6  In 1899, four years after Douglass died, a statue of him was built in Rochester, New York.  It was the first time an African American was honored with a statue.

taken from National Geographic Kids "Frederick Douglass" by Barbara Kramer

Most photographed American of the 19th century

Frederick Douglass was the most photographed American of the nineteenth century.  "To Douglass, photography was the great "demographic art"  that would finally assert black humanity in place of the slave "thing".  Douglass stated, "Every colored house holder in the land should have one of these portraits [of a black leader] in his parlor, and should explain it to his children, as the dividing line between the darkness and despair that overhung our past, and the light and hope that now beam upon our future as a people."  His portrait gallery contains 160 photographs.  

taken from "Picturing Frederick Douglass  An Illustrated Biography of the Nineteenth Century's Most Photographed American " by John Stauffer, Zoe Trodd, and Celeste-Marie Berner  

Frederick Douglass for Children

There are lots of good books about Frederick Douglass to share with young learners as well as the young at heart.  Books that teach about famous African Americans are wonderful conversation starters.  I have used books with children as young as Kindergarten and had some inspiring lessons.  Choose carefully for the kind of experience you want young learners to have.  Here are a few things I look at when choosing an appropriate book.

For young children illustrations are important.  For non and beginning readers it is important to have good illustrations that help tell the story and spark interest.  For very young children choose books that are not too lengthy and have a clear message about the importance of the figure's life.  If my only choices for books are lengthy ones but the illustrations are good, I may read parts of the book and story tell the rest.  Familiarize yourself with the book ahead of time if this is the case.  

 For children a little older, timelines are helpful in giving children idea of when events happened.  Illustrated timelines add another layer o dfeeper understanding for visual learners. 

 

 Books that offer activities connect children to history and give a hands on approach to learning about the life and times of famous African Americans. 

Books that have a combination of illustrations and actual photographs help children understand that these are real people. 
These are tips I use frequently when working with a variety of Elementary students.  I have had some really engaging lessons when I chose my books carefully. 
Frederick Douglass was a fascinating figure in our country's history and children are never to young to learn about important leaders.  Celebrate Frederick Douglass' 200th birthday with a good book!

Frederick Douglass Coloring Book  by Gary Zaboly   Dover Coloring Book
National Geographic Kids Frederick Douglass  by Barbara Kramer
Frederick Douglass for Kids  His Life and Times with 21 Activities  by Nancy I.  Sanders
Lincoln and Douglass  an American Friendship  by Nikki Giovanni
A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass by David A. Adler
Frederick Douglass The Lion Who Wrote History  by Walter Dean Myers

Sterling Ashby

In the early years of the museum's creation I decided that what might enhance the student's understanding of Black history was to add guest speakers.  Our first guest speaker was Sterling Ashby.  I was shopping on line for things of interest to use in the museum and I came across HIA toys (History in Action).  There were 3 Black figures, beautifully and thoughtfully made and I ordered all 3.  I loved them upon arrival and immediately sent feedback to the company telling how I would use them with the museum.  The owner, Sterling, responded and thanked me for purchasing the toys, our friendship began.  He wanted to know about the museum and I shared, we eventually chatted on the phone "If there's anything I can do for you in the near future, let me know."  This opened the door for our first guest speaker to appear as the museum guest.  Sterling came from Washington D.C. and shared a beautiful presentation with the students at my school and brought many of the figures to share with the students.

We kept in touch for the past 10 years and he continued to enjoy hearing about Museum adventures.  I am sad to report that Sterling was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and died shortly before his January 30th birthday.  He would have been 49.  I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with this kindred spirit. I wrote Sterling once and told him, he was one of my heroes and thanked him for sharing.  R.I.P. dear friend, I'll continue to care for and use your action figures to teach our history.

And We're Back!

                                                          Black History Month 2018

It's been a while since my last post and a lot has changed.  The internet swallowed the old website so we've created a new Hands On Black History website.  Check it out you'll like the new look and you can follow posts throughout the month as well as work we've done throughout the past years as well as the upcoming year. 
Black History month 2018 we're celebrating the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass.  If you're in the St. Louis area during the month you can check out an illustrated timeline of the life of Douglass on display at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown St. Louis.  This month I'll be sharing museum travels as I have several opportunities to talk with groups about the many contributions of African Americans.  Also, I'll be sharing new vintage photos from my growing collection of photography of African Americans and new museum artifacts.  I look forward to celebrating this important history with you because," Black History is the history of all of us."