Archives FAQs

The Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center is a part of the James B. Duke Memorial library located on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. The archives serves as the official repository for the University to preserve its history and to collect, document, and preserve the African American experiences in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center was dedicated November 4, 1977 in honor of Mrs. Parker’s work to preserve the history of the African American experience and the history of the University. The dedication marked the official establishment of the archives whose specific purpose was to organize and preserve the historical records and materials of Johnson C. Smith University.

Today, the University Archives has manuscripts, journals, scrapbooks, photographs, clippings, artifacts and a digital collection. The artifacts includes a tea set dated 1859 that belonged to Dr. Stephen Mattoon, the first President of Johnson C. Smith University, a chair built for President William Howard Taft when he visited the University in 1909, and a 1923 Biddle University Varsity Sweater.

Within the archives, there is also a Black Heritage Room with a small collection of rare books, autographed books, manuscripts, and books written by and about Africans and African Americans.

The archives is open to the public. If the university or library is closed the archives will be closed as well.

The library has two exhibits, the COURAGE and RECLAIM 37 exhibits.

COURAGE Exhibit

The nationally acclaimed exhibit, “COURAGE: The Carolina Story that Changed America,” is on a long-term loan from the Levine Museum of the New South. The interactive display chronicles the stories of the citizens of Clarendon County, S.C., who fought for civil rights and equality in education in their community. The glorious and hideous moments of the Civil Rights Movement are highlighted in the exhibition through the De Laine family and other residents of Clarendon County, S.C.

RECLAIM 37 Exhibit

The final phase of the Beatties Ford Road Corridor Preservation and History Project is the Reclaim 37 exhibit, which opened in the library on April 7, 2019. Using the lens of Afrofuturism, Reclaim 37 (RCLM37) is an interactive exhibition that chronicles past and present-day narratives of the Beatties Ford Road Corridor and the threat it faces through gentrification and social change, via historical photographs and artifacts, original artwork, programming, and a documentary incorporating insightful first-person narratives with an original soundtrack.

Both exhibits are available for viewing during library hours. A private tour of the exhibits can be given by an archivist upon request. Hours are below…

The Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center is open without a fee to students, faculty, and staff of the University and members of the public, for non-circulating use only. Materials are to remain in the archives research center at all times. Requests for materials are accepted between 9AM and 2PM, Monday through Friday.

Present Collecting Level: We accept donations as it pertains to the principles of what the University will collect for its repository. A gift agreement must be signed before materials can be added.

Present Limitations: Documentation on student life at Johnson C. Smith University is very weak. More information on how the University affected the lifestyle in the Charlotte community and its major involvement in the civil rights movement and other movements is needed. Biographical information on the early founders, benefactors and presidents of the University is rare and needs more documentation for researchers use. We received the most inquires regarding the above categories. The Black Heritage Room needs more rare books, manuscripts and other documentations as it pertains to Africans and African Americans history, culture and social issues.

Desired Level of Collecting: The archives wishes to receive more information on the black community in Charlotte and surrounding areas before or after the civil war. Pictures, oral documentations, letters and memorabilia are needed. Information on the early black publications, organizations, social groups, schools and black businesses in the Charlotte community and surrounding areas would add nicely to the Black heritage collection. In the future we hope to add more materials on African history and culture.

The archives will not accept materials/donations without the legal transfer of title, deed of gift, or other official acknowledgement. Please complete the Gift Form which should accompany any materials when making a donation.

The archives offers materials for non-circulating use only. Materials can be copied, duplicated or transferred electronically, if feasible, and if no damage is imposed upon the materials for research use only. All materials are copyright and credit must be provided to the University when used for research.

The archival collection and artifacts can only be loaned by an established repository or museum only. Each case and the collections and artifacts that can be loaned are up to the discretion of the University Archivist and Library Director. For additional information please contact Brandon Lunsford, University Archivist.

The archive is located on the second floor of the James B. Duke Memorial Library.

The mailing address for the archives is:

Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center
James B. Duke Memorial Library
Johnson C. Smith University
100 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216

Each object and artifact may be loaned on a case by case basis. This is up to the discretion of the University Archivist and Library Director. For additional information please contact Brandon Lunsford, University Archivist.

JCSU’s records are not generally in public domain. Therefore records, images, and other artifacts cannot be reproduced without the explicit permission of the University. Access to the digital materials from the Inez Moore Parker Archives has been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. To secure permission for any other uses or if you have any other questions regarding copyright on these items please contact the University Archivist, Brandon Lunsford.