Overtown Collection
Item
Collections Identifier
BAF MS_00070
Date Started
February 23, 2005
Collection Title
Overtown Collection
Date Span
1896 - Present
Alternative Title
Overtown Collection Finding Aid
Inclusive Subjects
These records are a collection of information on the Historic Overtown Area of Miami, Florida, from 1896 to the present. This collection contains photographs, programs, certificates, directories, newspaper articles, correspondences, area studies, maps, and documents. The collection also includes valuable information on people, places, and things that deals with the preservation, urban renewal, and gentrification that has taken place in the area over the many years. The area was known as the Harlem of the South and hosted NW 2nd Avenue as Little Broadway. Information contains Black Businesses, Black Doctors, Lawyers, and the Cola Nip Bottling Company. Pr.ominent
Brief description of processing procedure
The records in this collection were located in the Black Archives ready reference room. After a preliminary survey was conducted, it was discovered that the documents were in categorical order; however, they were kept in two large binder folders. The information was placed into categories to process the collection and then transferred into acid-free file folders. After appropriate labeling, the folders were organized alphabetically and placed in an acid-free Hollinger box. A content listing was made, and the correct labels were attached, and the boxes were stored in the collection room. This collection was processed at the file folder level and is now categorized into multiple series.
Archivist Note
These records will be stored as the Overtown Collection, and since this is a community archive, it will be an ongoing collection. The collection already includes this community’s origin, urban renewal, and transformation and will continue growing as more information is available to the archives. Upon reviewing the collection, I decided to revamp the categorical order that the collection was kept to make it more convenient for researchers. I decided to categorize the information from general to specific. This collection has many news articles on significant events that either helped or hindered this community.
Researchers Key
Researchers should cross-reference this material with the Personalities Collection, Miami: The Magic City by Arva Moore Parks, Business and Labor Collection, and The Black Pioneer Video Collection. I-95 expressway was said to have destroyed the community. north south expressway, black churches, entertainment, lyric theater, x-ray clinic, black police, slum housing, night clubs, sir john hotel, Mary Elizabeth. tab
Number of Boxes
2
Collection Size
2 cubic ft.
Process Level
File Folder
Collection Location
Collection Room
Ready Reference Section
Ready Reference Section
Date of Completion
3/29/05
Finding Aid Author(s)
Chanelle Rose
(UM Doctoral Candidate)
&
Timothy A. Barber
Assistant Archivist
The Black Archives
(UM Doctoral Candidate)
&
Timothy A. Barber
Assistant Archivist
The Black Archives
Access Restrictions
No Restrictions
Use Restrictions
An image license agreement must be signed before recording or copying images.
Online Publisher
Elaysha Bazil, Archivist
Publication Date
July 7, 2023
