Afro-American Newspapers Archives and Research Center

Mailing Address

2519 N. Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21218

Contact:  John B. Gartrell, Archivist

Phone:  410-554-8265

E-mail:  jgartrell@afro.com

Web:  www.afro.com; www.afro.com/afroblackhistory.com; http://morgue.afro.com/AfroArchon

Finding Aids:  

Access to Collections: By appointment only

Hours of Service

By appointment only, please contact archivist

Overview

The Afro-American Newspapers Archives and Research Center (AANARC) is the repository of the paper, electronic, and material history of the Afro-American Newspapers Company. The Afro, as it is commonly known, was founded in 1892 and is the longest running, family owned African American newspaper in the United States. Since its inception, the Afro has portrayed the lives of African Americans in its present day primary distribution region in the Baltimore, Washington, DC area, as well as the national and international arena.

Special Services

• Digital cameras (at archivist discretion)
• Photocopies
• Scanning
  

Type of Materials

• Artifacts
• Audiovisual Materials
• Digital Exhibits
• Institutional Records
• Microforms
• Newspapers
• Oral Histories
• Personal Papers
• Photographs
• Primary Resources
• Printed Ephemera
• Prints and Drawings

Detailed Description of Collections

The AANARC is also dedicated to making available extant records pertaining to the print editions of the Afro including photographs and articles. To this end, the records of the AANARC have been organized into two major collections, the General Files and Special Collections.

The General Files are the incorporation of the Afro's morgue files. The General Files have been collected throughout the newspaper's history and are reflective of the primary sources used by Afro staff to create the weekly editions of the newspaper. These records contain over 100,000 file folders which house over 1.5 million photographs, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous documents, ie letters to newspaper staff, obituaries, pamphlets, etc. compiled by the Afro's morgue staff. The General Files are largely indexed by topic, person, or place in alphabetical order, which was subjective to whoever filed the materials. There are no restrictions to the availability of these materials to the public.

The Special Collections are those records identified by the archivist as historically unique primary sources within the AANARC. The Special Collections are largely dedicated to preserving the records of personal effect to the Afro as an institution. These materials include company business and departmental records, photographs of staff and buildings, manuscripts, original and microfilmed newspaper volumes, and artifacts. Additionally, the AANARC houses record series' of employee records, original editorial cartoon drawings and assorted personal papers of John H. Murphy Sr. and the descendants of the Murphy family who held various positions within the company. This collection is restricted to the public and access to any record that falls under this group must be approved by the archivist and may require further approval by the CEO/Publisher.

• Artifacts
• Audiovisual Materials
• Exhibitions
• Institutional Records
• Microforms
• Newspapers
• Oral Histories
• Personal Papers
• Photographs
• Primary Resources
• Printed Ephemera
• Prints and Drawings