City of Norfolk City Clerk 50th Anniversary of Massive Resistance Records, 1958-2009

Collection Overview

Title: City of Norfolk City Clerk 50th Anniversary of Massive Resistance Records, 1958-2009

Predominant Dates:2008-2009

ID: 002/RG 04/2018-003

Creator: City of Norfolk

Extent: 5.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged generally in original order.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2018

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Commemorative records primarily from 2008-2009 of the desegregation of Norfolk City Schools in 1959, which marked the end of Virginia's massive resistance campaign against federally-mandated desegregation. Included are histories of massive resistance and the related closures of Norfolk Public Schools during 1958-1959, records of the city commission created to mark these events 50 years later, records of various public events, correspondence, and news clippings.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Source: City of Norfolk City Clerk by transfer

Preferred Citation: City of Norfolk City Clerk 50th Anniversary of Massive Resistance Records, RG 04-2018-003, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed in February 2020.

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1

Folder 1: Historical documents, miscellaneous dates: Includes information on massive resistance and the Norfolk City Schools closures.
Folder 2: Historical figures, miscellaneous dates: Includes information on Oliver White, an attorney who challenged Virginia segregation laws in the 1950s, and Judge Walter E. Hoffman, who ordered an end to the state's school segregation.
Folder 3: Norfolk 17 records, miscellaneous dates: The "Norfolk 17" were 17 black students who were initially denied entry into all-white Norfolk Public Schools.
Folder 4: CBS Reports "The Lost Class of 1959", 1959: Edward R. Murrow presented this nationally televised program, which covered the September 1958 to February 1959 closures of the Norfolk City Schools. "Lost Class of 1959" refers to the many school seniors who did not graduate because of the closures.
Folder 5: Lost Class of 1959 events, circa 2009: Includes Lost Class members, retroactive graduation events, and commemorative activities at Granby and Maury high schools.
Folder 6: City Commission, creation records, circa 2008-2009: Includes records on the formation of the "Commission to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Norfolk School Desegregation and the End of Massive Resistance."

Box 2

Folder 1: City Commission members and stakeholders, circa 2008-2009
Folder 2: Commission handbook, circa 2008-2009
Folder 3: City Commission minutes, 2008 May - 2009 March
Folder 4: City Commission, miscellaneous records, circa 2008-2009
Folder 5: Memorial site plans, circa 2009: Includes planning documents for establishing a Norfolk memorial to the 1959 desegregation.
Folder 6: Norfolk 17 school markers, circa 2008-2009: Includes materials related to the placement of historical markers at Norfolk schools closed during 1958-1959.
Folder 7: Cannonball Trail marker, circa 2008-2009: The marker was planned for the First Baptist Church in Norfolk.

Box 3

Folder 1: Various memorial examples, miscellaneous dates: Includes examples of civil rights memorials around Virginia.
Folder 2: Commemoration planning, circa 2008-2009: Includes planning records for events marking the 50th anniversary.
Folder 3: Unity march and events, circa 2009: Includes planning records for public march and other events in downtown Norfolk.
Folder 4: Luncheon, First Baptist Church, 2009 February 09
Folder 5: Various commemoration events, circa 2008-2009: Includes events by the Chrysler Museum, local bar associations, Norfolk State University, and the YWCA.
Folder 6: Various commemoration events, circa 2008-2009: Includes speeches by Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, and guest lists for various events.

Box 4

Folder 1: Miscellaneous correspondence, circa 2008-2009
Folder 2: "A Line in the Sand" play records, circa 2008-2009: This was a theatrical production on the city school closures by the Virginia Stage Company. Includes scripts, promotional materials, and reviews.
Folder 3: Other productions, circa 2008: Includes a script for the play "A New World Symphony," and notes on book publications.
Folder 4: Miscellaneous news clippings, circa 1950s-2009: Includes a series of feature articles in The Virginian-Pilot.

Box 5

Folder 1: Eleven DVDs, miscellaneous dates: All DVDs are related to the school closures and ending massive resistance.