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GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS GREENWOOD / BLACK WALL STREET WILMINGTON 1898 LITTLE ROCK NINE TUSKEGEE STUDY ROSEWOOD 1923 THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN SENECA VILLAGE BLACK TOWNS
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THE JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
BHP HOME BEFORE AMERICA 1800–1936 1937–1957 1958–1980 1981–2000 2001–PRESENT

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Explore the people, places, events, achievements, struggles and stories that shaped our journey.

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Events

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MY'STORY

The MOVE Fire

This is a personal recollection on the Move fire on May 13, 1985 Philadelphia police fired thousands of rounds at the MOVE house, city officials approved dropping an explosive device on the roof, the resulting fire was allowed to burn, 11 people—including five children—died, and 61 homes were destroyed. Philadelphia City Council later called it a “brutal attack carried out by the City of Philadelphia on its own citizens” and acknowledged that no individual faced criminal consequences for the bombing. One timeline correction worth preserving for the BHP record: the major previous MOVE-police confrontation was August 8, 1978, about seven years before the bombing, not a year or two earlier. Officer James Ramp was killed, other police and firefighters were wounded, nine MOVE members were later convicted, and television cameras recorded police beating Delbert Africa during his arrest. The 1985 MOVE Commission later specifically criticized city planners for failing to adequately use lessons from that 1978 confrontation. And that actually strengthens the point you’re making: 1985 did not happen without precedent or institutional memory. There had already been a deadly confrontation with MOVE, years of conflict, negotiations and police involvement before Osage Avenue.

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BLACK FACTS
The Truths They Never Taught You...

Ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century

Mansa Musa was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa. Details recorded here should be sourced; unknown information is left blank.

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BHP gathered finds from its connected research sources. Showing the 4 strongest Black History matches.
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NMAAHC

Desk with hutch belonging to Etta Moten Barnett

Date
1870-1930
Manufactured by
Unidentified
Owned by
Etta Moten Barnett, American, 1901 - 2004
Description
This is a carved wood desk (a) and detachable hutch (b). The desk and hutch are made of light-colored wood that has been carved and lacquered black. The front and sides of the desk (a) are covered with Asian-inspired style carvings of mythical creatures, flora and fauna. The front and sides of the desk has a scalloped skirt. The back is plain. The front of the desk has two small pull draws with carved wood handles. The four legs are curved and carved with abstract floral designs. The underside of the desk has tan paint splashed on the proper left side of the skirt. There is a white sticker with a reddecorative border with text that reads "MADE IN JAPAN." The hutch (b) is designed to sit on the top surface of the desk, flush with the back edge. There are three holes on the underside of the hutch presumably used to attach the hutch to the desk surface. The hutch has a high back with an uneven, scalloped edge. On are carvings of dragons and other mythical creatures against a stylized mountain and swirling clouds. Under these carvings is a shelf running the length of the hutch of varying heights. There is a small cupboard at each end of the hutch with a door that locks. Under the higher part of one of the cupboards is taller than the other; this cupboard also has a small drawer under it. Between the two cupboards are vertical stalls for holding letters. Both cupboards’ doors and all moldings are carved with mythical figures and designs. There are numerous chips and areas of loss in the lacquer throughout the piece.
Place used
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Topic
African American
Activism
Actors
Black interiors
Broadway Theatre
Humanitarianism
Singers (Musicians)
Women
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title
Etta Moten Barnett Archive
Classification
Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition
Forces for Change: Mary McLeod Bethune and Black Women's Activism
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
A2022.13.1.1ab
Type
cupboards
desks
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Medium
wood with lacquer
Dimensions
H x W x D (a: desk): 30 9/16 × 35 7/8 × 24 in. (77.6 × 91.1 × 61 cm)
H x W x D (b: hutch): 23 5/8 × 34 15/16 × 8 1/4 in. (60 × 88.7 × 21 cm)
Title
Object Name • Desk with hutch belonging to Etta Moten Barnett
Record ID
nmaahc_A2022.13.1.1ab
Museum
NMAAHC
Title Sort
DESK WITH HUTCH BELONGING TO ETTA MOTEN BARNETT
Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Metadata Usage
CC0
Date
1930s • 1870s
Name
Barnett, Etta Moten
Place
Chicago • United States • Illinois • North and Central America • Cook County
Topic
Women • Activism • Broadway Theatre • Black interiors • Humanitarianism • Actors and actresses • Singers (Musicians)
Culture
African Americans
Exhibition
NMAAHC • Forces for Change: Mary McLeod Bethune and Black Women's Activism
Geo Location
City • Chicago • County • Cook County • State • Illinois • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America
Type
cupboards • Desks
On Physical Exhibit
Yes
Online Media Type
Images
Online Media Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions

Media

Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Smithsonian Institution. Rights and restrictions shown above are supplied by the Smithsonian record.

NMAAHC

Queen Anne style chair from the Rock Rest Tourist Home

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Desk with hutch belonging to Etta Moten Barnett

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Healing doll

Date: Date

Description

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NMAAHC

Carved wooden walking cane owned by Sen. W. Nash

Date: Date

Description

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TOPIC OF THE DAY

Greenwood / Black Wall Street

Before the 1921 destruction of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, Black residents had created a remarkable center of business and community life. The district included stores, professional offices, entertainment venues and homes owned by Black citizens. Understanding Greenwood means learning what was built—not only what was burned.

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TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

Which heavyweight champion was known as the “Brown Bomber”?

Joe Louis.