Today I went to the special collections from 1:30 until 2:45. During my short time there I reviewed 2 file folders. (My goal was 3). It was very interesting to read letters written by Farmer himself. He knew how to write in shorthand. It took more time than I suspected to go through the files Mrs. Parson pulled. I had fun. It was fun reading his letters and their responses. Below are my notes about my research.
File: Dr. James Farmer (1920-1999)
-National civil Rights museum
Correspondence
– Travel arrangements canceled to the civil rights museum.
(Farmer wrote in short hand at bottom of letter)
Farmer indorsed the civil rights Museum July 1991
A Memphis Circuit Court Judge, D’Army Bailey requested the presence of Farmer for events held from July 2-4 in Memphis.
Topics of the freedom rides and non violent demonstrations were the subject of the workshops. Large participation and media coverage was expected.
His arrangements were canceled, because he had to attend a funereal.
The National Civil Rights Museum is at the Lorraine Motel, where MLK was shot.
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/default.asp
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/freedom/awardarchive.asp
Good info for time line.
James Farmer
National Freedom Award Recipient
Year: 1991
What is a Freedom award? Read this …..Established in 1991 to pay tribute to individuals whose accomplishments depict the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, the National Civil Rights Museum annually selects a national, international and lifetime achievement award recipient of the Freedom Award.
Can’t use above until we get permission from museum.
However we can use the below words of Farmer writing about endorsing the Civil Rights Museum. I Think it will be a good quote.
“In a people’s epic struggle to improve their lot, every part of the history of that effort must be preserved—the writing, the photographs, the artifacts and the other mementos of the glory and the suffering and the victories and defeats. For that reason I enthusiastically endorse the development of the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee as a multi-faceted record of that took place in our long strides toward a better life in America.” –James Farmer
File: James Farmer (1920-1999)
- correspondence: Civil Rights Reunion (1991)
Oct 27, 1990
Farmer writes a letter about the upcoming 1991 Civil Rights Reunion/Freedom Rides Commemoration which was the first one. It was scheduled in Jackson Mississippi on the weekend of May 3-5 1991.
Farmer was the chair of the planning committee.
I think it would be cool (with permission of course) to put the Award on Farmers timeline along with the picture that’s on the web site and post a link to the Civil Rights Museum.
Tell me what you think team!
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