I recently attended two doll workshops at an exhibit with the National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture at the Jean McDonough Arts Center in Worcester, MA. Both dolls are still unfinished but I hope to complete them soon. Here are my dolls made at the – Spirit Doll-Making Workshop The Art of the African Wrap Doll Workshop . Continue reading My New Dolls
The Worcester Black History Project recently sponsored “Black Dolls Matter: Representation and Resistance,” an exhibit and workshop series that focused on the history and the importance of Black dolls in society. The exhibition was installed at the Jean McDonough Arts Center in downtown Worcester, MA, for two weeks in early February 2023. The exhibitors, the National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture, has more … Continue reading Black Dolls
Some photographic images recently surfaced of African-Americans living in Worcester, MA in 1900. Two of those photos are labelled ‘Kenneth Anderson’ and ‘Mrs. Anderson and baby’. Kenneth was my great-grandmother Hattie’s younger brother and Mrs. Anderson was Hattie’s mom. Here’s a quick genealogical sketch of my great-grandmother, Harriet McKinley Anderson Bostic. Hattie Bostic with a neighbor child and two grandsons. Hattie McKinley Anderson was born … Continue reading Hattie McKinley Anderson and family
Mary Jane (Scott) Smith and her son, James Martin Smith. William Bullard, Mary Jane and James Martin Smith, about 1900, courtesy of Frank Morrill and Clark University. Mary Jane Scott was born on 13 Nov 1862 in West Boylston to Edward W. Scott and Catherine Annie Jackson. Edward and Catherine were former slaves who traveled from their birthplace in Warrenton, VA to Massachusetts with … Continue reading Mary Jane (Scott) Smith and James Martin Smith
Florence Shepard, Sarah Scott Shepard, and Eugene Shepard, Jr. circa 1900 in Worcester, MA William Bullard, Mrs. Shepard and Two Children, about 1900, courtesy of Frank Morrill, the Worcester Art Museum, and Clark University. Sarah Ann Scott is my 3rd great-aunt. She was the daughter of Edward Scott and Catherine Annie Jackson of Warrenton, VA. You can read more about Sarah’s parents and her younger brother, … Continue reading Sarah (Scott) Shepard
Eileen and Ardelle Wanso (later Roberson). circa 1901 in Worcester, MA William Bullard, Mrs. Ardel C. Wanso and her daughter Eileen, courtesy of Frank Morrill, the Worcester Art Museum, and Clark University. Ardelle was born on 30 April 1868 in Boston, MA. She married William Gloster Wanso (1872-1905) on 23 December 1897 in Worcester, MA. The couple had one child, Eileen Wanso (also recorded as Arlene … Continue reading Ardelle Barbadoes Roberson
Gilbert Walker was born into slavery in Maryland around 1817. Because he saved the life of his owner’s son Gilbert’s father was able to secure the freedom of Gilbert and his brother Allen. Gilbert and Allen made their way to freedom in Worcester, MA. By 1850, he was living and working in the city. He was a barber and had his own shop on Main … Continue reading Gilbert Walker
Cheryll Toney Holley 