Roger Horace Johnson Sr. and family papers

Content Description

This collection contains photographs, scrapbooks, photo albums, correspondence, clippings, newspapers, notes, cards, postcards, publications, programs, flyers, certificates, yearbooks, books, a drawing, notebooks, reel-to-reel tapes, and other ephemera of Roger Horace Johnson, Sr. (1891-1978) and his family: Harriet J. Edwards, his wife, and their three children Robnette, Roger, Jr., and Harriet Lee. Roger Sr. originally compiled the materials, which were then added to by his eldest daughter, Robinette. Johnson served as Reverend of the Sharon Baptist Church in Richmond. Johnson was a lifelong public education advocate who cofounded the Maggie Walker High School in his later career. Johnson was conservative and maintained correspondences with conservative political figures like Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, and other notable conservative politicians of the mid-twentieth century. Subject matter included in the collection are Johnson's family history and portraiture, Sharon Baptist Church and its congregation, education of Johnson children and Richmond’s other African American children, and Rev. Johnson’s post-retirement political correspondence. Numerous mounted photographs and annotated photo albums capture scenes of Roger’s college, military, work, and family life. Roger’s letters are primarily political and religious in theme, with correspondence commonly relayed between conservative politicians and other religious leaders. Robnette (1921-2012) added materials related to her work as a teacher. Roger, Jr. (1923-1993) found interest in music and politics, attending Virginia Union University and later serving in the Second World War. His 1943 thesis for a Master of Science in Education degree at Virginia Union University, entitled “Music in Colleges for Negroes” is included in this collection as well as ephemera and several Republican political items from the 1990s. Harriet Lee (1926-1995) enjoyed singing and acting. Included are photographs and programs from performances in which she participated and her wedding photos.

Acquisition Type

Purchase

Provenance

Purchased from Black Swan Books, 28 October 2024.

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

Yes

Access Restrictions

Box 007 contains 7" reel-to-reel tape. Original AV media cannot be handled directly by patrons. Appointments must be made to request these items. In most cases, materials must be reformatted before they can be accessed, sometimes at the researcher’s expense. Please use our online reference request form (https://small.library.virginia.edu/services/reference-request) to request access to these materials or for further information.