Newspaper Articles
Article 1
Negro Race Opens Great Exposition
Richmond Times Dispatch. July 5, 1915
About the electronic version:
Negro Race Opens Great Exposition
Author: Richmond Times Dispatch. July 5, 1915
Editor: unknown
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Creation of digital images: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/collections/featured/jackson-davis-collection-of-african-american-educational-photographs/
Note: Illustrations have been included from the original source.
About the original source:
Negro Race Opens Great Exposition
in Richmond Times Dispatch article July 5,1915
Note: [Notes about the original source]
Creation date: July 5,1915
Revisions to the electronic version:
July 28, 2000 — Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
- Added TEI header
©2000 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
All usage governed by our conditions of use: http://www.digitalcurationservices.org/digitization-services/use-of-materials/
NEGRO RACE OPENS GREAT EXPOSITION
Work of Months Culminates in Formal Launching of Big Enterprise To-Day.
SHOWS NEGRO’S PROGRESS
Fair Grounds Teemed With Varied Exhibits of Art and Craftsmanship
Practically every State in the Union in which the negro is a factor in industrial life is represented in the negro exposition which opens at the Virginia State Fair Grounds this morning. All the negro schools and colleges in the country, with the sole exception of the Tuskegee Institute, of which Booker T. Washington is the head, have sent exhibits.
A cursory inspection made yesterday afternoon under the guidance of Giles B. Jackson and Professor G. A. Edwards, of Shaw University, North Carolina, gave satisfactory evidence that in the last fifty years the American negro has made wonderful and remarkable strides in industrialism and the arts and sciences. Manufactured articles, the products of home and shops, school work of all kinds, articles of millinery, things made by children, the work of skilled artisanship, text books written by colored authors and even portrait paintings are displayed in the booths of the executive building.
MAYOR AINSLIE WILL MAKE WELCOMING ADDRESS
The exposition opens in the morning at 9 o’clock. Prayer will be delivered in the auditorium constructed in a corner of the Administrative Building, and Mayor George Ainslie has been invited to deliver a welcoming address this afternoon at 1 o’clock. It had been hoped that governor Stuart would be able to take part in the opening ceremonies, but he is now on his way to attend the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.
The formal opening will not take place until the coming of president Wilson, who has given assurances that he will make an earnest effort to be present at an early date. The exposition will continue for three weeks, ending July 27.
The chief exhibits are on display in the Administration building, which is even now nearly full, while many exhibits have not yet been unpacked. A near-by building will be used as a big dining hall for the visitors, for whose need and comfort ample provision has been made.
LARGE NUMBER OF STATES HAVE SENT EXHIBITS
States represented include Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Two Carolinas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and others. Giles K Jackson, who has been the guiding factor in bringing the exposition here and whose efforts results in appropriations being made by the city of Richmond and by Virginia, New York, and the Federal government, is immensely pleased with the result. More to him than to any other individual will be due the final success of the first negro exposition ever to be held in the south.
“I am seventy-one years old,” he said yesterday afternoon, “and it has always been my conscientious effort to help teach the colored generation of to-day in all lines of industrialism. What the negro has accomplished you will be able to see in this exposition. It will surprise the white people, for it has never been made known before what remarkable strides have been made and what a large and important factor the negro race has come to be in the development of the country and particularly in the industrial life of the South. Every article you see has been made by negro hands, and the products you see form the schools show you what the negro has done in the educational field.”
INDUSTRIES AND ARTS ARE WELL REPRESENTED
The administrative building, in which all the exhibits are displayed, is divided into four rows of booths, most of which are now filled. The decorations are profuse and artistically arranged. To the right is the art and general handwork of the Atlanta University. Next is seen wagons and sorts of other vehicles manufactured by the pupils of St. Emma’s Industrial and agricultural School, located at Rock Castle.
The Voorhes School, of Denmark S.C. is well represented, and the Washington Graded School, of Raleigh, N.C. has a large number of diversified exhibits, all manufactured by the schools. Then come the displays of the Hampton Institute and of the colored school at Atlantic City, N.J. Perhaps the best of all is the diversified exhibit sent here by Shaw University, of North Carolina. It consists of all sorts of handwork, millinery, fancywork and furniture. From the negro Deaf and Dumb School of Newport News will come a large number of exhibits to-day, and New York State, which appropriated $7,500 for the exposition, will send 300 exhibits.
PORTSMOUTH MAN HAS A MODEL OF LOCOMOTIVE
Other exhibits come from St. Paul’s Industrial School of Lawrenceville, the Hampton Vocational school, the Manassas Industrial school, from the American Tobacco Company and from innumerable individuals. One of the prize individual exhibits is a working model of the latest of locomotive engine, made by Joseph Hall, of Portsmouth. Another is a toy coach and four made by William Brown, of Covington, and still another is a beautiful inlaid table made by R.W. Johnson, of New York.
There are exhibits from every trade and from every handwork, and even the inmates of the Central State Hospital at Petersburg are represented. While the industrial arts are most in evidence, there are not lacking exhibits in the fine arts. In one of the art booths is a portrait of Giles Jackson himself, a work of which he is very proud.
FREE ATTRACTIONS AND MIDWAY WILL AMUSE
Amusements for the visitors will not be wanting. President Jackson will have five bands of music to gladden the negro heart and to stir him enthusiasm. Midway will be filled with vaudeville performances and a great variety of gaieties. Here will be seen such attractions such as the Glendale Troupe of five stars, Hobson and Michol, the Reynold Brothers, the Kline Brothers Troupe, Phillip and Smith, and imported company of Japanese; Alexander Johnson and twenty others. There will be the usual array of monstrosities and freaks. President Jackson yesterday received a telegram of congratulation from Bishop Samuel Fallons, of Illinois, where another negro exposition is to be held.
“I pray the people of the South,” and Bishop Fallons, “regardless of former differences, will unite in showing the world that the sacrifices of fifty years ago were not made in vain.”
***
Article 2
Mayor Opens Big Negro Exposition
Richmond Times Dispatch July 6, 1915
About the electronic version:
Mayor Opens Big Negro Exposition
Author: Richmond Times Dispatch July 6, 1915
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Creation of digital images: Special Collections, University of Virginia Library
Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/collections/featured/jackson-davis-collection-of-african-american-educational-photographs/
Note: Illustrations have been included from the original source.
About the original source:
Mayor Opens Big Negro Exposition
in Richmond Times Dispatch article July 6, 1915
Creation date: July 6,1915
Revisions to the electronic version:
July 28,2000 — Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
- Added TEI Header
©2000 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
All usage governed by our conditions of use: http://www.digitalcurationservices.org/digitization-services/use-of-materials/
MAYOR OPENS BIG NEGRO EXPOSITION
Pledges Colored People Support and Co-Operation of White People of South
HOLIDAY CROWD ATTENDS
Thousands Inspect Marvelous Industrial Exhibits and Enjoy Attractions on Midway
Out of ignorance and ineffectual effort, the negro race has risen in fifty years to a degree of accomplishments that only those who have closely and with sympathy followed the trend of it’s achievements can know, and to such and extent that the negroes themselves and their white friends who yesterday visited the Negro Historical and Industrial Exposition being held at the State Fair Grounds were surprised at the result of half a century’s hopeful labors.
It was the opening day of the exposition, which is to continue to July 27. Several thousand negroes visited the grounds and toured the Administrative Building to look upon what their hands, their minds, and their hearts have brought about since the day the negro was freed from the house of bondage and, with the good wishes of and financial support of those people in the South who knew and understood him best, went forth to fare for himself.
MAYOR ANSLIE MAKES ADDRESS OF WELCOME
His white neighbor who visited the exposition yesterday was as proud of the negro achievement as the negro himself, and no one voiced this sentiment more than Mayor Ainslie, who, in his welcome address, urged the negroes to go forward, and pledged to them the support and sympathy of the white population of the south.
The gates were flung outward at 9 o’clock, and hundreds who had risen early surged in to enjoy the holiday and to give expression to the gladness which they welcomed the first negro exposition ever held in the Southland. The visitors were led to the grounds by a big parade, headed by Giles B. Jackson, which started from Second and Leigh Streets. Five bands took part in the procession. The Southern melodies drew into the line hundreds who were doubtful, and President Jackson was a proud man when he looked back along the throng that followed him.
PRADE CROSSES GROUNDS TO ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
The parade continued around the grounds, through Midway which is tented from end to end with vaudeville attractions and booths of every variety, and ended at the southern doors of the Administration Building, in which the exhibits of the negro people are housed. Mayor Ainslie arrived in the afternoon at 1 o’clock, and Jackson led his people into the comfortable auditorium which had been arranged for the addresses, and in which he hopes the negro visitors will hear Woodrow Wilson.
The invocation was uttered by Rev. Simon P. drew, D.D., one of the leading pastors of Washington, D.C. Giles Jackson spoke in introduction of the Mayor. He outlined the brief history of the negro race in America and told of its struggles to lift itself above the position in which the custom and law of other days had placed it. Of that struggle Jackson knows, for he is of the old school, and his own effort raised him to leadership among his race in Virginia and in the South.
JACKSON TELLS OF STEPS TO SECURE OFFICIAL AID
The speaker told of the steps taken to secure appropriations from the General Assembly of Virginia, from the Federal Government, and from the State of New York. He was deeply grateful to the white men who accompanied him to Washington and secured for him and audience with President Wilson and to Governor Stuart for the earnest support he gave him when he made his appeal before the Finance Committee of the Virginia Legislature. He regretted that governor Stuart was unable to be present, and said that he had secured from President Wilson a pledge that he would come if he possibly could. Then he delivered thanks for the friendship of the Richmond people and for the justice which here has generally been accorded to him and his.
Mayor Ainslie commented on the variety and scope of the exhibits, and paid tribute to the man to whom so much is due for the success of the exposition. He referred to the spirit of amity and concord which exists between the two races. “The relations between the races,” he said, “should be one of concord rather than of conflict, one of amity rather than enmity.” He expressed a desire to aid the exposition, and said that the Richmond people would give it their heartiest support. The Mayor was then conducted on a tour of the exhibits and expressed himself as being generally pleased with the general display.
MIDWAY IS PEOPLED WITH UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS
Practically all the exhibits were in place yesterday, and the opening was a real opening. Midway is peopled with the usual variety of attractions, the majority of them being negro vaudeville artists of pleasing ability. One of the shows consists of several white diving girls, who display the usual sort of aquatic agility. Then there are a Wild Western show and ring circus and a number of slide shows and tents in which are housed all sorts of wonderful and alarming freaks. Midway was well patronized yesterday, and bids fair to be a success. There was no racing yesterday, but it is promised that, beginning today, there will be racing every afternoon at 2 o’clock.
The grounds are well policed, Major Werner having detailed a number of patrolmen to preserve order. The services of the police were not needed yesterday, for the people were too intent upon looking at the exhibits and enjoying themselves on the national holiday.
THURSDAY SET ASIDE FOR WHITE VISITORS
Many white people were present yesterday, and Giles Jackson was inspired, in view of the very evident interest being taken in the exposition by the white people, to set aside Thursday as a special day for white visitors. Members of the city council and all city and state officials will be invited to be present, and all the courtesies of the grounds will be shown them.
The Oklahoma Wild West show, one of the principal attractions of the exposition will parade through the principal streets in the morning, beginning at 10 o’clock, and will thereafter take up its stand on Midway. A large and attractive show has been provided for the grand stand. It is one of the main features of entertainment.
It was announced last night that the entrance fee, day and night, would hereafter be only 25 cents.
***
Article 3
Invites White People To Attend Exposition
Richmond Times Dispatch. July 8, 1915
About the electronic version:
Invites White People to Attend Exposition
Author: Richmond Times Dispatch. July 8, 1915
Editor: unknown
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Creation of digital images: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center.
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/collections/featured/jackson-davis-collection-of-african-american-educational-photographs/
Note: Illustrations have been included from the original source.
About the original source:
Invites White People To Attend Exposition
in Richmond Times Dispatch article July 7, 1915
Creation date: July 8, 1915
Revisions to the electronic version:
Aug 1, 2000 — Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
©2000 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
All usage governed by our conditions of use: http://www.digitalcurationservices.org/digitization-services/use-of-materials/
INVITES WHITE PEOPLE TO ATTEND EXPOSITION
Director-General Giles Jackson Is Anxious for Them to See Work of Negroes.
EXPECTS CITY OFFICIALS
Special Attractions Will Be Staged for Guests, but Exhibits Will Receive Chief Attention and Interest, Booth Are Now Nearly Filled.
Special arrangements have made to care for the white visitors who are expected at the Negro Historical and Industrial Exposition to-day, which has been set aside for the entertainment of the white population.
Director-General Giles B. Jackson is particularly anxious that the white people should visit the exposition, so that they may learn for themselves what the negro has done during the last fifty ears and what great strides he has made in mental and industrial development. It is the first time that such an exposition has been held in the South, and naturally the negroes are anxious for those among who they were born and reared to be informed as to their progress.
EXPOSITION HAS RECEIVED ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT
The exposition has received the endorsement of President Wilson, The Federal Government, Virginia, and New York and many States in which the Negro is an important factor have sent exhibits. The exhibits are varied and interesting. The comprise every product of shop, factory, and home industry, and the negroes feel proud of the showing they are making.
Invitations were issued yesterday by Giles Jackson to every member of the City Council, the Administrative Board, to all city officials and to the judges of the courts. Mayor Ainslie is expected to accompany the body. Special attractions will be staged for the white people, but their main attention will be drawn to the Administrative Building, where the handiwork of negroes is housed.
Nearly all the booths are now occupied. A large number of exhibits arrived yesterday from North Carolina, and two car loads came from New York. Consignments are expected to come from Texas and Oklahoma.
Giles Jackson has addressed a personal letter to President Wilson, asking him, if possible, to come on July14, which has been set aside as New York and New Jersey Day. Letters were also sent to John Skelton Williams, Comptroller of the Currency, the Senator Martin, asking them to recall to the President his pledge that he would make every effort to attend the exposition.
In order that no one may be barred because of limited means the entrance fee for both day and night has been reduced to twenty-five cents.
***
Article 4
Colored Evangelist Praises Exposition
Richmond Times Dispatch. July 12, 1915
About the electronic version:
Colored Evangelist Praises Exposition
Author: Richmond Times Dispatch, July 12, 1915
Editor: unknown
Creation of machine-readable version: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Creation of digital images: Special Collections, University of Virginia
Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: University of Virginia Library
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/collections/featured/jackson-davis-collection-of-african-american-educational-photographs/
Note: Illustrations have been included from the original source.
About the original source:
Colored Evangelist Praises Exposition
in Richmond Times Dispatch article July 12, 1915
Creation date: July 12, 1915
Revisions to the electronic version:
August 12, 1915 — Margo C. Swire, University of Virginia Library
- Added TEI header
©1915 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.
All usage governed by our conditions of use: http://www.digitalcurationservices.org/digitization-services/use-of-materials/
COLORED EVANGELIST PRAISES EXPOSITION
Tells What It Means as Milestone in Upward Progress of Negro Race.
GILES JACKSON IS SATISFIED
Expresses His Thanks to Many White People Who Have Aided in Enterprise, and Asks all to See Interesting Exhibits.
Hearty endorsement was given the Negro Exposition at the State Fair Grounds by Rev. Simon P.W. Drew, D.D. of Washington, the colored “Billy Sunday,” in a sermon at the tent revival in Washington Park yesterday. He recommended the assistance given by the white people of the nation, State, and city in making possible this exposition of the progress of the negro, and declared the exposition “a magnificent monument serving as the fiftieth milestone in the life of the emancipated and progressive colored race in America.”
Drew is Pastor of Cosmopolitan Baptist Church, Washington, and has been concluding an evangelistic campaign in Richmond for several months. He has wielded a powerful influence over members of the race, and there have been 2,000 conversations during his meetings in the city. The revival will continue until August 15.
An immense throng of people visited the Fair Grounds yesterday during the limited time exhibits were open to the public. Many white people were in the crowd and joined in praising the exposition.
WELL PLEASED WITH RESULTS OF FIRST WEEK
In a statement last night, Giles B. Jackson, president of the exposition, expressed himself as well pleased with the results of the first week of the event. He expressed his thanks to the white people who have given their support to the project, and called attention to the fact that there are a few members of his own race in the city who are not aiding in the movement.
In his sermon yesterday, Evangelist Drew called upon the Negroes to give the exposition their wholehearted support. He said in part:
“This exposition, first of it’s kind in the history of the world, is a most splendid tribute to the courage, the strength, the perseverance, the indomitability and the versatility of the negro race. It signifies the achievements of marvelous accomplishments by a once down trodden-race within the short span of fifty years. It typifies the industry, the development, the advancement, and the indefatigability of the negro race, whose new era seems just dawning. Another fifty years of such accomplishment as has characterized the negro race during the past half century and the colored man will stand in his place in the sun, a mentally, morally, industrially, socially and financially as well as physically, emancipated. The significance of this exposition cannot be overestimated in the most glowing words. It holds a wealth of meaning for the nation and for the world, which has followed the history of the race, and which looks on with approval and applause at this magnificent exposition.”