This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit July 22, 2010 Describing Archives: A Content Standard Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 East Warren Avenue Detroit, Michigan, 48201 313-494-5800
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Biography... 4 Scope and Contents note... 4 Controlled Access Headings...5 Collection Inventory... 6 Personal... 6 Social Events & Organizations... 16 Artists Collaborators Associated - "Footfalls" Poetry Book by Oliver LaGrone...37 Publications... 38 Photographs...39 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Title Norma M. Dalton Gatliff Collection Date [inclusive] 1938-1993 Extent 3.0 Cubic feet 7 Archives es and 1 halfsize Archives Language English Abstract This collection contains the records of community organization developer and event planner Norma May Dalton Gatliff. Her papers are important because they document over time Mrs. Gatliff's activism in the formation and promotions of many solid, current organizations that continue to deeply benefit the Detroit African American community as well as the entire city of Detroit in social, educational, civic, political, and economic arenas. In addition, she organized fundraisers and support groups for swim meets and the Midwestern Aquatics Association, which was founded by her husband, Clarence Gatliff, to provide competitions that included black swimmers. The collection lacks daily office records most of the records of organizations in which Ms. Gatliff was involved do not reflect the depth of her involvement. For example, though she sat on the board of many, many organizations and set up their administrations and offices, Norma Gatliff s collection contains only one Articles of Incorporation and sometimes contains only clippings or flyers and relatively few office or financial records. There are no records of her life and activism in Ohio. - Page 3 -
Biography Born on March 24, 1905, Norma May Dalton was the seventh and youngest child of Isaac and Laura Dalton. She grew up in Lowell, Ohio and graduated from nearby Marietta High School. She attended Wayne State University but graduated from the Marinella School of Cosmetology. She worked as a beautician and, in the early 30s, as a personal shopper at Annis Furs. She met her Clarence Gatliff in 1927 and the couple married in 1938. Following the conventions of the times, Norma Gatliff chose not to work for wages and instead for most of her adult life was involved in volunteer activities. Norma Gatliff had an ardent commitment to the arts, belonging to over thirty different organizations. The most prominent of these were ASALH (Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) and the Friends of African Art of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) as well as the Founders Society of the DIA. She died October 10th, 1993 at the age of eighty-eight. Scope and Contents note This collection documents the event planning, fundraising, and community-building activities of Norma May Dalton Gatliff. Mrs. Gatliff belonged to over twenty-five different organizations (a more complete list of organizations is included in box 1/folder 1). The bulk of the collection is the various organizations Norma Gatliff either organized, chaired, performed the office of secretary, or for whom she planned events. The most prominent of these were ASALH (Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) and the Friends of African Art (FAA) of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)Founders Society. The ASALH and the FAA were Norma Gatliff s principle organizations. Evidence of her wide-ranging career is in the form of clippings, correspondence, agendas, minutes, lists, printed programs, membership files, and print ephemera. The collection is arranged into five series: PERSONAL, SOCIAL EVENTS & ORGANIZATIONS, ARTISTS COLLABORATORS ASSOCIATED, and PUBLICATIONS. PERSONAL is comprised of six subseries of Events, Correspondence, Clippings, Scrapbooks & Programs, Travel, and Published Materials. SOCIAL EVENTS & ORGANIZATIONS includes Arts, and Community which are further organized by the events and/or organizations. Of particular note is the subseries of Friends of African Art (FAA), a seminal group formed from a committee of the ASALH, the African Art Gallery Committee. The DIA accepted the Committee in 1967 after the Detroit riots. The Committee became the FAA, advocating for, then initiating, the selection and acquisition of the highest quality of African Art into the Detroit Institute of Arts collections. The FAA also hosted artists, scholars, eudcators, and other presenters of high caliber. The Bal Africain event is the fundraising activity of the Friends of African Art. The correspondence in this subseries tracks the growth of the FAA to international status, from the invitation of ambassadors - Page 4 -
and royalty of the African Diaspora as honored guests of the Bal to the buying of African and African American art. ARTISTS COLLABORATORS ASSOCIATED documents Clarence and Norma Gatliff s foray into the publishing arena for their friend, poet-sculptor Oliver LaGrone; the three subseries document the publication of the "Footfalls" poetry volume and contain Contracts, Correspondence, and Financial Publishing Records. PUBLICATIONS is comprised of journals, the poetry volume "Footfalls", community resource guides, and a new board member s report from the Foundation for the Promotion of Michigan Artists, which includes by-laws and a grant proposal. PHOTOGRAPHS contains two subseries, Personal and Civic. Administrative Information Publication Information Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History Controlled Access Headings Corporate Name(s) Friends of African Art. Personal Name(s) Gatliff, Clarence S., 1906-1969 Grigsby, Snow Subject(s) Detroit Institute of Arts. - Page 5 -
Personal Collection Inventory Personal Clippings Norma Dalton Gatliff 1937-1978 1 12 Arthur Murray Dance Studio - 'The Twist' & 'The Pachanga' 1961 1 13 Issues in the Papers 1955 1 14 Obituaries 1949-1985 - Page 6 -
Correspondence 1 15 Personalities 1975-1988 1 16 Society News from 'Detroit Tribune' & 'Michigan Chronicle' 1946-1969 1 17 Correspondence Award Notifications: Detroit Historical Department & Detroit Urban League 1968 1 8 Central Congregational Church (Shrine of the Black Madonna) 1955 - Page 7 -
Honors & Awards 1 9 Incoming 1950-1989 1 10 Outgoing 1979 1 11 Honors & Awards Certificates: Appreciation (3), Bicentennial Good Neighbor Award, Congratulations (80th Birthday), Eldership (84th Birthday), Membership, Meritorious Service, & Support 1 18 Keep Detroit Beautiful (KDB) 'Good Neighbor' Award Winners; List & Program (Photograph, p.2) - Page 8 -
Personal Documents 1 19 Testimonial: 80th Birthday Celebration; program, notes, remarks, lists, flyers, card, etc. 1 20 Personal Documents Life & Death Records 1985-1993 1 1 Housing Concern & Complaint Form 1978-1990 1 2 Legal: Mortgage Document 1947 1 3 - Page 9 -
Programs & Scrapbook Precinct Delegate Campaign - Flyer 1962 1 4 Hobby: Arthur Murray Dance Studio School 1960-1961 1 5 Family Names & Addresses undated 1 6 Family Obituaries: Letha Dalton Stevens & Gloria Dalton Sweeney 1961-1988 1 7 Programs & Scrapbook - Page 10 -
Published Material 80th Birthday Guest Book, 1985 7 Programs from Churches/Events 1955-1987 1 21 Scrapbook 1956-1985 1 22 Published Material Poem: "The Glove of Love" by Penny Ruth Dennis undated 1 27 Article & Quiz: "Historical Tour of Medicine" undated - Page 11 -
Published Material 1 28 Article: Review of "Stepping Into Tomorrow" with Y. King, A. Shabazz, H. Sheffield III 1984 1 29 Article: "The 10 Biggest Myths About Black History" by L. Bennett, Jr. of Ebony Magazine; Vol 34, No 4, p. 25-32 1984 1 30 Brochure: "Unique Drape of the Saree" 1 31 Catalog: Associated Publishers - "Educating America: Black Universities and Colleges - Strengths and Crises" 1 32 - Page 12 -
Published Material "Build Your Own College Background" Women's Service Bureau of the Detroit Free Press 1938 1 33 China Painting, W. S. George Catalog: "Maritime Art," Charles Vickery, Artist 1989 1 34 'Citywide Shoppers Guide: Avenue of Fashion;' Vol 1, No 2 1992 1 35 Sheet Music: "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson & P. Rosamond Johnson; National Negro Anthem 1 36 Newsletter: Medical Center Citizens' District Council (MCCDC) Reporter; Vol. 5, 1980. Histories of Brush/Beaubien and Dunbar Memorial Hospital Historical Museum 1979-1980 - Page 13 -
Travel 1 37 Catalog/Newsletter: Methuen -- Black Studies; Black Experience Around the World 1 38 Magazine & Article Clipping: Specialty Salesman - "Direct Selling's Leading Ladies"; Vol. 55, No. 9 - p 32-33; "There's Something About the Girl" MI Chronicle, 9/17/1966 (Photocopy) 1 39 Image, Unidentified: "Towing Away the Dead executed after a revolt in Senegal"; caption (Photocopy) undated Graphic materials 1 40 Travel Brochure; Dr. Ben Jochannan's Alkebulan Educational Tour presents 'Egypt' 1990 - Page 14 -
Travel 1 23 Foreign Postcards - Brasil, Mexico undated Mixed materials 1 24 Virgin Islands; "Virgin Islands Historical Documents" Vol 1, No. 2; May-June, 1984; 'Celebrating Emancipation 1834-1984' 1 25 Map -- Directions to Edwards' Home undated Maps 1 26 Clarence Gatliff - Documents & Ephemera 1955-1971 1 41 - Page 15 -
Social Events & Organizations Social Events & Organizations ASAALH (Association for the Study of African American Life & History) Announcements/Invites/Programs; Events & Exhibits 1967-1988 5 7 Clippings 1967-1987 5 8 Correspondence Incoming, January 1980 - February 1986 5 9 Local Branch, July 1976 - January 1991 5 10 - Page 16 -
Logistics - Labels, Lists, Logs, & Rosters National Office, August 1973 - October 1986 5 11 CVs & Biographical Sketches 1981-1991 3 19 Financial Records 1972-1984 4 1-2 Logistics - Labels, Lists, Logs, & Rosters Notes 1980-1989 4 3 - Page 17 -
Logistics - Labels, Lists, Logs, & Rosters Names & Addresses I, 1967-1975 4 4 Names & Addresses II, 1971-1990 4 5 Names & Addresses III, 1971-1990 4 6 Names & Addresses IV, 1981-1983 4 7 Names & Addresses V, 1984-1987 - Page 18 -
Logistics - Labels, Lists, Logs, & Rosters 4 8 Names & Addresses VI, 1986-1987 4 9 Names & Addresses VII, 1982-1990 4 10 Meetings: Agendas & Minutes 1968-1986 4 11 Membership Records & Information 1985-1988 4 12 - Page 19 -
Membership Reports Membership Information; Organization History 1970-1990 4 13 Membership Reports 1967-1971 5 1 1972-1974 5 2 1975-1979 5 3 - Page 20 -
News Releases, September 1976 - February 1984 Norma M. Dalton Gatliff Collection 1980-1983 5 4 1984-1990 News Releases, September 1976 - February 1984 5 5 5 12 Community African Study Center of Michigan State U; Resource List & Bulletin 1985 5 14 Alkebulans, Inc. (publishers of the Alkebulanian Magazine) 1989-1990 - Page 21 -
Brewster Old Timers 5 15 Association of Black Writers of Wayne State U; Flyer & Newsletter: "Kemet Presents... a Look Behind 1989" 1990 5 16 Brewster Old Timers Membership, Functions, & Activities; Bulletins 1964-1990 5 17 Clippings, 1968 & 1975 5 18 Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - Brochure, Invitation, & Correspondence; Benefit mailing list 1983-1991 - Page 22 -
DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations) Norma M. Dalton Gatliff Collection 5 19 Colonial Williamsburg Museum Brochure; "A Forum on Colonial Black History" 1990 5 20 DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations) Articles of Incorporation (May 1979) & By-Laws Revision Clippings, January 1980 6 6 1 6 Contact Lists undated Correspondence, May 1979 - November 1987 6 2 6 7 Meetings - Agendas & Minutes, 1980-1981 1980-1981 6 3 - Page 23 -
Printed Materials, 1980-1982 Membership Records & Information, 1979-1980 1979-1980 Printed Materials, 1980-1982 Programs & Flyers, 1980-1982 Newsletter (photocopy), April-May 1984 6 4 6 6 6 8 9 10 Receipts, January 1981 6 5 Detroit Council for Political Education - Meeting Notice & Resume 1985 6 11 Detroit Historical Society Detroit Historical Society - Flyer / Calendar / Invite, 1978, 1989, 1992 - Page 24 -
Detroit Public Library 6 12 Detroit Historical Museum's Black Historic Sites Committee - Publication: "Detroit's Black Historic Sites: Landmarks of Progress & Change," 3rd Edition (1982) 6 13 Detroit Medical Society - Invite to Presidents' Ball, 1987 6 14 Detroit Public Library Correspondence; Black History Month 1981 Coordinating Committee, 1980 1980-1981 6 15 Clipping; Burton Historical Collection undated - Page 25 -
Detroit Urban League 6 16 Detroit Symphony - Invitations, 1988 1988 6 19 Detroit Urban League Clippings - 1948, 1956, & 1962 6 20 D.U.L. Guild; Program - "Fellowship Tea," 9/23/1956 6 21 Foundation for the Promotion of Michigan Artists, 1985 & 1987 6 22 - Page 26 -
Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society "Black Genealogy" Brochure, Invites, & Newsletters - Vol. 1 Nos. 1 & 2 (1980) 6 17 Publication: "Detroit Public Sites Named for Blacks" (1987); Order form & Membership application 6 18 May Day '56; Schedule of Events 6 23 Michigan Women's Civic Council - Clippings, 1952 & 1953 6 24 - Page 27 -
Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society National ALumnae Association of Spelman College 1986 6 25 National Council of Senior Citizens, Inc. - "Senior Citizen News" Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 338 (1989) 6 26 (The) North American Black Cultural Centre/Historical Museum, Inc. - Brochure, Membership Application, & Resource Guide for Teachers, Intermediate Division undated 6 27 SOSAD (Save Our Sons And Daughters) Newsletter - Vol. 4, No. 2, February 1990 6 28 Sherry Washington Gallery - Invitation, 1990 & 1992 - Page 28 -
Friends of African Arts 6 29 Tuskegee Airmen Inc. - Detroit Chapter 1979; Mailing List circa 1980s 6 30 Unidentified Repository; 3 Flyers of Fine Art images, attributed (Maren Hassinger, Richard Hunt, & Oliver Jackson) undated 6 32 Unidentified Organization - Clipping, April 1975 6 31 Friends of African Arts 1st Awards Luncheon (& 20th Anniversary) 1981-1982 - Page 29 -
Agendas and Meeting Minutes 1 42 Agendas and Meeting Minutes Agendas & Minutes; Board Contact Lists & Term Years, 1971-1980 2 7 Agendas & Minutes, 1980-1981 2 8 Agendas & Minutes; Policy & Procedure, 1982-1983 2 9 Agendas & Minutes, 1984-1986 2 10 - Page 30 -
Bal Africain Fundraiser Agendas & Minutes, 1987-1990 2 11 Announcements of Events; Programs; Catalogs 1963-1990 3 3 Bal Africain Fundraiser Correspondence 1971-1991 3 4 Programs, Tickets, & RSVP Cards 1967-1986 3 6 - Page 31 -
Tickets, 1990 Programs--1966, 1969-1972 1966-1972 3 7 Programs--1974-1975 1974-1975 3 8 Programs--1982, 1987, 1990-1991 1982-1991 3 9 Table Cards Ephemera 1982 Tickets, 1990 3 5 5 13 By-Laws 1974-1988 - Page 32 -
Clippings 1 43 Clippings Bal Africain 1968-1987 3 10 DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) 1983 3 11 FAA (Friends of African Art) 1977-1980 3 12 Correspondence 1967-1982 - Page 33 -
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) 3 13 1983-1990 3 14 1975-1991 3 15 CVs & Biographical Sketches 1 44 Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) General Information 1980-1990 - Page 34 -
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) 2 1 Calendars of Events, Invitations, Flyers, Catalogs 1980-1991 2 2 Founders Society Board of Trustees Meetings 1981-1991 2 3 News Releases 1980-1991 2 4 FAA: New York Art Tour - Autumn 1982 1982 3 1 Invitations of Special Events: 1979, 1980, 1983, & 1987 - Page 35 -
Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) 3 16 Friends of African Arts (FAA) Financial Records 1978-1989 1 45 Lists - Names & Addresses, Notes, To-Do, etc. 1981-1990 2 6 Names & Addresses 1955-1985 2 5 News / Press Releases 1965-1986 3 2 - Page 36 -
Patrons of the Arts Patrons of the Arts Clippings 1954-1955 3 17 Programs; Nellie Watts, Impresario & Honoree 1956-1967 3 18 Artists Collaborators Associated - "Footfalls" Poetry Book by Oliver LaGrone 1949-1952 Contracts - Handwritten & Typed 1949-1950 6 33 Correspondence - Litigation, 1949-1951 - Page 37 -
Publications 6 34 Financial; Publishing Records, 1949-1951 6 35 Publications "Footfalls: Poetry from America's Becoming" by Oliver LaGrone (2) 1949 7 Foundation for the Promotion of Michigan Artists - Reports, 1985 7 1 "Neighborhood Problem Solving - And City of Detroit Services," compiled by City Council, Division of Research and Analysis, November 1977 7 "Souvenir Journal: The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Inc." / Detroit, Michigan 1983 (68th Anniversary) 7 - Page 38 -
Photographs "Specialty Salesman" Magazine, September 1966 - Vol. 55, No. 9; P 33 7 "The Williams' Tree: Fletcher and Marcella 1984 7 "Directory of Community Resources for Program Planners" [Your Program Resources] issued for The Program Planning Institute, May 5, 1955 7 Photographs "1975" & "Leslie Street" (Negatives) N6 Louis S. Hooper Graduation, August 21, 1920 Graphic materials 8 1 Family member on Belle Isle; Oliver LaGrone, sculptor; Brewster Ladies' & Men's Rifle Club undated Graphic materials 8 2 Arthur Murray Dance School, 1961 - Page 39 -
Photographs Graphic materials 8 3 "Hurray For Black Women" - Event; contact sheet & some prints 1976 Graphic materials 8 4 Friends of African Art: Dinner Dance, June 1981; Award of Merit plaque, April 1982; Awards Luncheon, June 1982 Graphic materials 8 5 Friends of African Art (African Arts Gallery Committee) Christmas Parties, 1975 & 1980 Graphic materials 8 6 ASALH (Association for the Study of Afro-American Life & History), 1960s - 1980s Graphic materials 8 7 - Page 40 -