#VoicesFromTheStacks
Special Collections is starting a new series that will be highlighting the voices of marginalized individuals and communities from our collections that often go unheard, underrepresented, and/or misunderstood. We have chosen to start this series during Black History Month as one way to observe the multitudinous contributions of African American people to Iowa and the United States. However, a single month is not enough, and we will be continuing this series throughout the year and into the future. We hope that by doing so, we can actively engage and learn more about these rich, complex histories in our stacks.
âSpecial Collections
ââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââââ
Valentineâs Day is near, and love is certainly in the air. Some of my favorite photographs exhibiting love are from the James B. Morris, Jr. photo album. Morris attended the University of Iowa from 1937 to 1941 and went on to practice law at the University. His parents were also active civil rights leaders and role models in the community. His mother, Georgine, founded the Iowa State Conference of the NAACP in 1939. James B. Morris Sr. served as a charter member and president of the organization, as well as the editor and publisher for the oldest black newspaper, The Bystander, from 1922 to 1972.
The album includes photographs largely documenting James B Morris, Jr.âs social activities and student life at The University of Iowa, as well as his WWII military service. Â Morris Jrâs captions are also by far the most witty and creative Iâve seen. For example, one endearing caption of a woman in front of a car states, âHereâs lies my heart. The finest thing that you could ever want.â Iâm not sure, however, if heâs talking about the woman or the car in this case. Either way, itâs clear that Morris enjoyed taking photographs of his life and capturing the people he loved and cared for most.
Morris Family Papers
RG02.0009.033 (University Archives)
Check out the digitized Morris Family collections from afar!
Morris Family NAACP photo album, 1981
James B. Morris Jr. photo album, 1937-1941
-Micaela
Look at this archival research! I wonder if the Margaret King Libraryâs Special Collections can return similar finds.












