Museums & Local Collections

The East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS) was organized on July 2, 1965 in the home of Marcella Ford. In attendance at the first meeting were the seven founding members of the society: Marcella Ford, Jesse Ford, Eugene Lasartemay, Ruth Lasartemay, E. Harold Mason, Morrie Turner, and Madison Harvey Jr. The society’s mission was to “collect, preserve, record, and disseminate information related to the history, culture and experience, of persons of Black American and African descent, especially those in the East Bay, the State of California and throughout the West.” The East Bay Negro Historical Society Records include meeting minutes, correspondence, reports, program flyers and brochures, financial ledgers, and scrapbooks documenting the activities of the society between 1965-1986. View online items Dates: 1965-2001   Collection number: MS 32   Creator: East Bay Negro Historical Society   Collection Size: 6.75 linear feet (11 boxes + 1 oversized box)   Guide to the East Bay Negro Historical Society Records Available at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) We encourage researchers to contact AAMLO before visiting so that we can be prepared to assist you. Please call 510-637-2000 or email aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org to arrange an appointment or inquire about access.

The Lasartemay family papers include correspondence, essays, funeral and theater programs, invitations, résumés, and newspapers clippings documenting mostly the family’s participation in various civic organizations. The papers are organized in to three series: Eugene P. Lasartemay (1903-1993), Ruth Hackett Lasartemay (1902-1991), and Elena R. Lasartemay. The bulk of the papers relate to Eugene P. Lasartemay’s participation in various Oakland area civic organizations including the East Bay Negro Historical Society, Northern California Council of Camera Clubs, and the Boy Scouts. Also included is a copy of Eugene P. Lasartemay’s book For Love of Jack London: His Life with Jennie Prentiss – a true love Story and court documents related to Exie McDonald’s probate court hearing, where Lasartemay served as the estate’s executor. The biographical subseries includes Eugene P. Lasartemay’s résumés, funeral programs from his memorial service, and assorted newspaper clippings related to his involvement in the East Bay Negro Historical Society. Dates: 1946-1995   Collection number: MS 95   Creator: Lasartemay, Eugene P.   Collector: East Bay Negro Historical Society.   Collection Size: .5 linear feet (1 box)   Guide to the Lasartemay Family Papers Available at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO) We encourage researchers to contact AAMLO before visiting so that we can be prepared to assist you. Please call 510-637-2000 or email aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org to arrange an appointment or inquire about access.

Materials relating to members, financial and legal affairs, and events sponsored by the Oakland Art Association. The Oakland Art Association was founded in 1915 with Dr. William S. Porter serving as its first president. In its early years the association worked closely with the Oakland Art Gallery in hosting exhibitions and securing art works for the gallery. (OHC COLL 2014-3) 4 folders in 1 box (.2 linear feet) Go here for a more detailed list of this collection's contents.  Available at Oakland History Center, Main Library.  

Primarily correspondence. Includes some programs. The Oakland Art Museum, originally called the Oakland Art Gallery, was established in January 1916 as an administrative unit of the city of Oakland. Its name was changed to Oakland Art Museum in 1953. Directed by Paul Mills from 1953 to 1969, the museum was located in the loft of the Oakland Auditorium. Although intended as a temporary location, the auditorium remained the home of the collection until, in 1969, the collection was merged into the new Oakland Museum. (OHC COLL 2014-2) 3 folders in 1 box (.2 linear feet) Go here for a more detailed list of this collection's contents.  Available at Oakland History Center, Main Library.  

Oakland California's Snow Museum of Natural History opened in 1922. Specimens collected by big game hunters Henry A. Snow and Leslie Simson on a city-funded African safari in 1919 formed the majority of the collection. Henry Snow was the museum's first director, followed by his daughter, Nydine E. Snow, after his death in 1927. In its early years (1922-1926) the museum also featured some live animals which were cared for by Henry Snow's son Sidney Snow. This small zoo formed the roots of the Oakland Zoo with Sidney Snow serving as its first director. The Snow Museum closed in 1967 and many of its natural history exhibits were folded into the newly created Oakland Museum of California which brought three city-funded museums, including the Snow Museum, under one roof.   This collection includes correspondence, monthly reports and legal documents of the Snow Museum of Natural History in Oakland, California.   (OHC COLL 2026-31) 8 folders (.3 linear feet)   Go here for a more detailed list of this collection's contents.  Available at Oakland History Center, Main Library.