Black History

The Black History Collection highlights the stories, achievements, and experiences of African American individuals and communities in Smyth County. This collection includes photographs, documents, newspaper articles, church records, and personal accounts that reflect the contributions of Black residents to the county’s cultural, educational, and social history.

This collection is part of our ongoing effort to preserve and make accessible the often underrepresented narratives that are essential to understanding Smyth County’s past.

Items in this Collection

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0001

Description: Carnagie High School 1949. Black History. Row One L-R: Margaret Sharpe, Flora Mae Halsey, Bessie Thompson Row Two L-R: Mary Pearl Cox, Mary Ann Lee,…

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0002

Description: Carnagie High School c. 1940s. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0003

Description: Carnagie High School c. 1940s. Black History Phylis Pettus, Rosa Mary Lee, Ordener Cecil, Hattie Montgomery, Susie Russell, Leslie Body. Mr. Dabney…

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0004

Description: CA Davis Recreation Center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0005

Description: CA Davis Recreation Center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0006

Description: CA Davis Recreation Center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0007

Description: Unidentified. No information given. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0008

Description: "If I Were Queen" operatta at Lincoln Theatre. Evelyn Lawrence. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0009

Description: Tom Thumb Wedding. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0010

Description: C.A. Davis Recreation Center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0011

Description: Bennie Words, Arthur Henderson, Rosa Smith, Wanda MAdison, Mary Palmer Graham. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0012

Description: Kay Frances Jones. 1st May Queen Carnegie High School, 1940s. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0013

Description: Frank B. Smith, Jr. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0014

Description: C. A. Davis Recreation Center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201118_0015

Description: Jenell Harper, Bruce Goode, Bennie Thompson. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0002

Description: C.A. Davis recreation center. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0003

Description: Coach George Elliot and Bennie Woods. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0004

Description: Winter Dance Carnegie High School. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0005

Description: Four Seasons Event of Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church at Carnegie High School. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0006

Description: Valentine Dance. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0007

Description: Carnegie High School Choras, 1940-1941. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0008

Description: Womanless Wedding. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0009

Description: Womanless Wedding. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0010

Description: Carnegie High School football game on SWSH grounds. Elizabeth Steel and Mary Ann Hoshins. Black History.

Identifier: IMG_20201119_0011

Description: George Washington Tea Party 1940-41. Evelyn Lawrence playing piano. Black History.