Public Historians at Work

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In this special episode, Rebecca Archer - a UH graduate student in Art History - tells the story of the Eldorado Ballroom, Houston’s “Home of Happy Feet.” Established in 1939 by Anna Dupree, this historic, black-owned music venue in the Third Ward launched the careers of many entertainers and featured some of the greatest acts of the 20th century. 

This episode was researched, recorded, and produced by Rebecca Archer for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston.

To learn more: 

Cutler, Leigh. 2006. “Eldorado Ballroom.” Houston History Magazine 4.1. https://houstonhistorymagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/eldorado-ballroom.pdf

"Eldorado Ballroom." Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/eldorado-ballroom

"The Historic Eldorado Ballroom." Project Row Houses. https://projectrowhouses.org/space-rental

Govenar, A.B. 1990. The Early Years of Rhythm and Blues: Focus on Houston. Rice University Press.

Wood, R. and Fraher, J. 2003. Down in Houston: Bayou City Blues. University of Texas Press.

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project (Special Collections, UH Libraries):

Attwell, Ernie. Nov. 12, 2004. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/570/show/569

Brown, Hazel Jewel. Feb. 22, 2013. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1623/show/1622. 

Burney, Zinetta. July 14, 2006. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/173/show/172. 

Music provided by:

Digital History:
“That Thing Called Love” Performed by Mamie Smith
“You Can’t Do What My Last Man Did” performed by Ethel Waters
Public Domain

Free Music Archive:
“Wooden Championships” and “Old River Boat” by Lobo Loco
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

“Snake Rag” performed by King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band 
“Memphis Tennessee” performed by The Gulf Coast Seven 
“Strut Miss Lizzie” performed by Mary Stafford and her Jazz Band 
Public Domain

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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In this special episode, Sheri Schrader – a UH graduate student in Art History – details the life of Dr. John T. Biggers, a prominent African-American artist centered in the Third Ward. Learn about his career as an influential muralist and educator while serving as the founding chairman of the art department at Texas Southern University. 

This episode was researched and recorded by Sheri Schrader for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston.

To learn more about Dr. Biggers:
Glentzer, M. 2016. “Pioneer John Biggers Nurtured a Generation of Houston Artists.” Houston Chronicle. 

Harwell, D. 2011. “Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder: Third Ward Art Treasure but a Memory.” Houston History.

McNally, O. 1996. “John Biggers' Art Celebrates African Symbolism, Culture." Hartford Courant.

Wardlaw Short, A.J. 1979. "Strength, Tears, and Will: John Biggers' 'Contribution of the Negro Woman to American Life and Education'." Callaloo 5 (Feb.): 135-43. 

Trotty, S. 2009. “On The Table: TSU Murals.” The Faculty Speaks.

Sweeney, J. "Biggers, John Thomas (1924-2001)." Texas State Historical Society: Handbook of Texas.

To learn about the mural at the Blue Triangle Community Center, see http://www.the-bluetriangle.org/history/.

The oral history of  Harvey Johnson is courtesy of the African American Library at the Gregory School. https://digital.houstonlibrary.net/oral-history/harvey-johnson_OHGS0051.php

Music provided through the Free Music Archive:
“Drop” by Ketsa
“Brain” and “Driving to the Delta” by Lobo Loco
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

“Patriotic Songs of America” by New York Military Band and the American Quartet
CC BY-NC 3.0

“Piano Hymn” by Unknown

“Medley” by Various
CC BY-NC-ND 3.0

See also "Patience Party" through https://freepd.com/.

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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In this special episode, Ana Girard - a UH graduate student in Art History - relays her interview with Houstonian artist Maya Imani Watson. A prolific artist in multiple mediums, Watson specifically discusses her two mini murals beautifying Third Ward. 

This episode was researched and recorded by Ana Girard for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston. 

For more on Maya Imani Watson, please see her personal website. http://www.mayaimaniwatson.com/

To see her murals and others in the Third Ward, see the official Mini Mural Program. https://minimurals.org/property_category/third-ward/

To listen to the entire interview with Rev. William Lawson, see the Oral Histories from the Houston History Project through UH Libraries. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/500

To learn more, see Gil, J. 2019. ‘Remnants of History’: Artists Preserve Third Ward’s Culture through ‘Mini Murals’.' Houston Chronicle. 

Music:
FreePD. https://freepd.com/
“Sita’s Song” by Siddharta Corsus. Free Music Archive. CC BY-NC 4.0.   
“Prisoner” by Paty and the Cakes (Ana Girard).
“Useless Dreams” by Ketsa. Free Music Archive. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. 

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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In this special episode, Allison Anderson - a UH graduate student in U.S. history - tells the story of five African American female physicians who served the Third Ward community. This episode also provides the history of the Houston Negro Hospital (now Riverside General), which was established on June 19th, 1926, as the first non-profit hospital for black Houstonians.

This episode was researched and recorded by Allison Anderson for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston.

For more on African American Doctors of Houston, please check out the exhibit "To Bear Fruit For Our Race" through the UH Center for Public History.  https://www.uh.edu/class/ctr-public-history/tobearfruit/

To listen to the entire interview with Dr. Edith Irby Jones, see the Oral Histories from the Houston History Project through UH Libraries. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/670/show/1518

For the history of the Houston Negro Hospital-Riverside General, see the special archival collection through UH Libraries. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/hnh

To Learn More:

Emmett J. 1915. “Efficiency.” In The Red Book of Houston: A Compendium of Social, Professional, Religious, Educational, and industrial Interest of Houston’s Colored Population. Houston, Texas: Sotex Publishers.

"Learn About the History of Third Ward, Houston." Texas Happens.

Zaveri, Mihir and Cindy George. 2018. "Harris County Agrees to Buy Closed Riverside Hospital in Third Ward." Houston Chronicle.

Music:
"Piano" by Jota_a_ene. Free Music Archive. CC BY-NC 3.0.
FreePD.

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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In this special episode, Brandy Black - a UH graduate student in anthropology - tells the story of the Texas Southern University women who organized and participated in Houston’s Student Civil Rights Movement. Although many of these women remain unknown, Black highlights three preserved in the archives: Holly Adrienne Hogrobrooks, Deanna Lot Burrell, and Halcyon Sadberry Watkins.

This episode was researched, recorded, and produced by Brandy Black for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston.

Special thanks to Jon Schwartz for use of clips from his film This is Our Home, It is Not for Sale (1987). For the full film, please contact the filmmaker at dashhamm@aol or see the UH Libraries Digital Archives at https://exhibits.lib.uh.edu/s/tioh/page/welcome and https://av.lib.uh.edu/media_objects/j3860694x .

To learn more:
Anderson. Michael. 2017. “Eldreway Stearns and Houston’s Student Rights Movement”. Houston History Magazine. Vol 14.2. 

Behnken, Brian D. 2005. "Count on Me: Reverend M. L. Price of Texas, a Case Study in Civil Rights Leadership”.  Journal of American Ethnic History. Vol. 25.1: 61-84.

Berman, David. 1998. Untold Stories: The Strange Demise of Jim Crow in Houston.

Black History Month: Dr. Halcyon Sadberry Watkins Recalls Houston’s First Sit-in. 20 January 2016. https://fabsculture.com/dr-halcyon-sadberry-watkins-recalls-houstons-first-sit-in/.

Cole, T. R. 1997. No Color Is My Kind: The Life of Eldrewey Stearns and the Integration of Houston. Austin, TX. University of Texas Press.

"Houston Civil Rights Movement Pioneer and TSU Alumna Holly Hogrobrooks Passes." Texas Southern University. News Media.

"Houston Woman Remembers Bloody Sunday." 7 March 2015. KHOU.com.

Mendoza, Moises. 2010. “Houston Honors TSU Pioneers for Sit-in that Made Strides”. Houston Chronicle. Chron.com.

"Struggles and Success: Sections from the Handbook of African American Texans." 2015. Texas State Historical Commission.

Music provided by Freesound.org. 

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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When filmmaker Carla Ulrich talks about her work, the word that emerges over and over again is “community.” A director, writer, and producer based out of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories of Canada, Ulrich has over ten years of experience making independent films which tell indigenous stories. In her conversation with Dr. Kairn Klieman recorded on December 11, 2020, Ulrich explains that filmmaking serves both to protect and promote her community. Documentary and dramatic films authentically preserve tribal life and culture, thus challenging stereotypes too prevalent in movies. For example, her most recent work, Three Feathers (2019), examines the power of restorative justice for three young men, who learn to love the land and each other through the patient teaching of their Elders . Ulrich also talks about how the process of filmmaking creates community, as each member of the team relies on one another in a collaborative experience familiar to many public historians. Finally, Ulrich endeavors to enable the next generation through her YouthRise Project, workshops that teach filmmaking to young people so that they can record their own creative ideas and capture the legacy of their community.

Check out Carla Ulrich's films:
Three Feathers (2018) - https://www.threefeathersthemovie.com/
Hickey Gone Wrong (2015) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5059704/
Stolen Sisters (2008) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2956038/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Learn more about Carla Ulrich and her film company, Dayah Films at www.dayahfilms.com.

On the YouthRise Project, see www.youthriseproject.com. 

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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***WINNER OF THE JOSEPH A. PRATT HOUSTON HISTORY PRIZE (CENTER FOR PUBLIC HISTORY), 2022***

In this special episode, Caitlyn Jones - a UH graduate student in public history - tells the story of Emancipation Park in Houston's historic Third Ward. Founded in 1872 by formerly enslaved people to host Juneteenth celebrations, the park remains a pillar of the community, a symbol of the long tradition of Black resistance, and a testament to Black life in Houston.

This episode was researched, recorded, and produced by Caitlyn Jones for the Center for Public History at the University of Houston.

To learn more:
Blair, C.D. “De-Ro-Loc: Houston’s Forgotten Festival.” Houston History 16.2 (March 2019): 7-12. 

Blue, C.P. “Emancipation is a Park.” Houston History 9.3 (June 2012): 15-19. 

Gray, L. “Friends of Emancipation Park hope renovation revitalizes neighborhood.” Houston Chronicle, Nov. 1, 2013. 

McCullough, O.Y. “Yates, John Henry [Jack].” Handbook of Texas Online. 

Theis, D. “Behind the New Look of Houston’s Oldest Park, a Complex Racial History.” Texas Observer, June 2017.  

Oral Histories from the Houston History Project (Special Collections, UH Libraries):
Brown, Hazel Jewel. Feb. 22, 2013. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1623/show/1622. 

Burney, Zinetta. July 14, 2006. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/173/show/172. 

King, Ester. Aug. 16, 2010. https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/1415/show/1414. 

Yates Alumni. Oct. 8, 2015.  https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/houhistory/item/2491/show/2490. 

This podcast features the original recording "George Floyd" by Sweet Lou.

Music provided through the Free Music Archive:
"Old River Boat" and "Area 42" by Lobo Loco
"Pine Apple Rag" by Scott Joplin 
"Grief", "Delight",  and "The Boss" by Dee Yan-Key
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

"Wade in the Water" by Dee Yan-Key
"Sunday Picnic" by Lobo Loco
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

"Roll Jordan Roll"  by The Joy Drops
CC BY 4.0

"Afronauts" by Crowander
"Isolation" and "Letter to Summer" by Audiobinger
"Urban Haze" by Scott Holmes Music
CC BY-NC 4.0 

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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The past contains stories that are complex and messy, heavy and painful. Nevertheless, it is the obligation of the historian to talk about these crucial topics and make them accessible to people far beyond the university.  

This is the driving mantra of Dr. Richard Mizelle, Associate Professor of History at the University of Houston and scholar of race, medicine, and disasters, both environmental and manmade. During his interview with Dr. Wes Jackson, recorded on December 17, 2020, Dr. Mizelle advocates for getting into good trouble. Whether discussing lead poisoning or diabetes, floods or hurricanes, or even the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Mizelle argues that people - from general audiences to medical professionals - need help in understanding how history informs their lives. He talks about the public erasure of African American stories, memory, and experiences due to systemic racism, but also how this “ignorance-making” can be confronted by embracing “different ways of knowing,” creatively examining music and historical fiction as archival records, and simply engaging in tough conversations about health crises and how biases and barriers can shape the well-being of a person.

For more on Dr. MIzelle:
Website: https://www.richardmizelle.com/

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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In this episode of Public Historians at Work, Dr. Monica Perales sits down with Amy C. Evans, a Houston-based artist and oral historian, to talk about her work documenting people’s diverse stories over good food and art. In their conversation recorded on December 4, 2020, Amy describes the organic process through which she came to identify as a public historian, first working as an oral historian with the Southern Foodways Alliance and more recently as an independent documentarian and artist in the city of Houston. 

Through their conversation, we learn how public historians can explore complex and often difficult histories through food and recover lost spaces and stories through a variety of creative media. Finally, Amy explains her most recent project, Houston in 2020, which documents the impact of current political, economic, and cultural factors on five black artists in Houston.

For more on Amy C. Evans, see:

"Art and Pie" - https://www.amycevans.com/

"Houston in 2020: Self-Employed Black Artists" - https://www.houstonin2020.com/

Twitter @artandpie

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph

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Historians “are an essential core, an essential thread of the world of ideas, of meaning, of insight and more. The question is how to make that manifest.”  

So says Dr. Martha Jones, Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University. In her conversation with Dr. Leandra Zarnow recorded on October 16, 2020, Dr. Jones discusses the obligation she feels to step into the public square, whether it is elevating the deep contribution of African American women to our democracy, challenging the whitewashing of a suffragist monument in Central park, or providing help to those in the throes of the birthright citizenship debate. Driven by an impatience and eagerness to make history accessible, Dr. Jones advocates for the opportunity and obligation of academics to broaden their audience through collaboration, working local, and taking the initiative through old and new media alike.       

To learn more:
https://marthasjones.com/
Twitter @marthasjones_

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph