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History of the
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
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Denver's Blair-Caldwell African
American Research Library, the only library of its kind
between Detroit and Oakland, serves as an educational
and cultural resource for the people of Denver, Colorado,
and the world, focusing on the history, literature, art, music,
religion, and politics of African Americans in Colorado and
throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Exhibits highlight
areas such as the historic Five Points neighborhood, African
Americans in early Denver (including the city's earliest arrivals),
the Black West, African American leadership (the Mayor's Office
and other distinguished mayors of Denver) and a |
| gallery of temporary exhibits.
The Blair-Caldwell AARL offers full, traditional library
services and is housed in a three-story,
wheelchair-accessible, 40,000 square
foot building. |
Background | Our
Name | A Message From Mayor Webb
| Links to Other Organizations
Background: A Missing Piece
of History
Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb and First Lady Wilma J. Webb
had a shared vision. They envisioned a research library and
museum to preserve and showcase the many contributions of
African Americans to Colorado and the West. Much of that history
was in private hands — those of political leaders, community
organizations, churches and individuals. Other history was
unwritten, still in the heads and hearts of those who had
lived it. In 1999, during his third term as Mayor of Denver,
Mayor and Mrs. Webb saw the urgent need to collect this legacy
in one place before it was lost forever. They proposed construction
of an African American Research Library as part of the Denver
Public Library system.“There’s so much history,
and we need to capture that for young people,” he said.
“So much of it is in boxes, in basements, or in our
heads.”And so the journey of gathering that history
began.
By 2000, the Denver Public Library had engaged consultants
and a community advisory committee to help plan the Blair-Caldwell
African American Research Library. Public meetings were held
with neighborhoods that would use the facility, and Library
staff began to collect personal and professional papers, publications,
photographs, works of art and other memorabilia of distinguished
African Americans from all walks of life. Finally, groundbreaking
for the new library took place in early 2002.
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Our Name
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The Denver Public Library Commission named
the African American Research Library of the Denver
Public Library The Blair-Caldwell African American
Research Library. Mayor Wellington Webb and
First Lady Wilma Webb proposed the name, which combines
the last names of Omar Blair, the first black president
of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the
first black City Council member.
"Omar Blair and Elvin Caldwell made major contributions
to our community and are fitting namesakes for this
unique addition to the Library system," said Landri
C. Taylor, Denver Public Library Commission. "We
unanimously approved the proposed name for the Library because Blair and Caldwell
are prominent African Americans who have given of their
time and talents to bring about significant change in
Denver and the West."
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Omar Blair, left,
and Elvin Caldwell |
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A Message from Mayor Webb
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This building is designed to collect, preserve,
organize and present the books, manuscripts, photographs,
artifacts and other records of the African American experience
in the western United States. Visitors will have an opportunity
to learn the names, faces and stories of many people whose
legacies might otherwise have been lost. Black explorers,
pioneers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, artists, politicians, teachers
and intellectuals have engaged productively and influentially
with the challenges and the opportunities of the West. From
the materials and the professional expertise gathered here,
we can build a strong, deep and long-lasting awareness and
understanding of these great people and the important work they have done.
I've always said that I couldn't be
where I am today without those who preceded me. This building helps to fulfill
my and Mrs. Webb’s vision of a city in which the
historic presence and contributions of all people, regardless of race, creed, or gender, are remembered, respected,
and valued. |
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Mayor Wellington
Webb |
My number one goal as Mayor was that people know that
we were here, and that we left this city a better place
than we found it. The process of learning and discovery at the Blair-Caldwell
African American Research Library will enrich the lives
of all who pursue it and inspire generations to come. |
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Links to Other Organizations
Black American West Museum
3091 California Street
Denver, CO 80205
303-482-2242
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 East 56th Place
Chicago, IL 60637
773-947-0600 |
Schomburg
Center for Research
in Black Culture
New York Public Library
515 Malcolm X Boulevard
New, NY 10037-1801
212-491-2200
Also see: In Motion: The African-American Migration Experience |
California
African American Museum
600 State Drive
Exposition Park
Los Angeles, CA 90037
213-744-2060 |
Charles
H. Wright Museum of
African American History
315 East Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
313-494-5800
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African American Research Library
and Cultural Center
Broward County Library
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
954-625-2800
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African
American Museum and
Library at Oakland
Oakland Public Library
659 Fourteenth Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510-637-0200
Facebook |
The Auburn Avenue Research
Library on African American Culture
and History
Atlanta Fulton Public Library System
101 Auburn Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-730-4001 |
African
American Museum Dallas
3536 Grand Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210
214-565-9026 |
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