Cataloging Small Collections within the Museum

This week I have started to cataloge a formatted list of small collections for the African American Military History Museum closed library. First the library was a small writing room for soldiers visiting the USO when they were off duty or in town. Later the small library was made formal to the public in the 1950s. This library came into existence because the Forrest County Public Library was segregated and did not allow African Americans to check out books, so a small library was started within the USO.

The small library has a very knowledgeable collections that it offered to the African American public who were interested in reading and research. Going through the collection I have found a variety of novels, cookbooks, academic literature, atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, magazines, poetry books, newspapers, and bibles. Majority of these books dated back to the late 1890s to the late 1950s, and some of them are in very good condition. Some of these items were donated to the library from the public and several were second hand books thrown out from the public library. Yet the USO made use of all these books and items in the 1950s and they still remain in the library to this day. Even though the library has not been in public use for awhile, the story of its existence and legacy remains in the USO.

Processing Historical Documents/Spring Break Volunteering

This week has been a highlight for me because I learned how to process pictures, documents, and other historical data. I have been learning that as well as giving to the community of Hattiesburg. I am interning at the African American Military History Museum where they are covered by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission. I volunteered my time to help the Hattiesburg Convention Commission with their latest project the Hattiesburg Zoo. The convention commission as well as myself all help in the reconstruction of specific things in the zoo.

This was Spring Break for me and I am dedicating my time to the museum because this month is National Women's History Month. Mrs. Cruthirds along with the help of Heather, and I organized several top military officials that were women. Notable Hattiesburg natives are among the open collection display which includes Col. Shelia Varnado, Major Raylawni Branch, Ruth Bailey Earl, Valerie Easterling, Felicia Young, Ila Williams, and Nakita Adams. I respectfully acknowledge all these women for there bravery and courage in the U.S. Army.