1898 Foundation Papers
Collection
Identifier: SC-MS-217
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials created by the 1898 Foundation, Inc., formerly the 1898 Centennial Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on commemorating Wilmington’s 1898 coup d’état and massacre, as well as promoting community unity and fostering economic inclusion. Materials pertain to Foundation’s establishment, the programming and activities that reached a crescendo during the 1998 centennial, and the Foundation’s events following the centennial, which culminated in the dedication of 1898 Memorial Park in 2008. Types of materials include correspondence, financial documents, publicity materials, grant applications, photographs, minutes, reports, awards and certificates, digital files, audio and video cassette tapes, publications, and newspaper clippings. Materials date from 1898 to 2009, the bulk of materials dating from 1995 to 2009.
Dates
- 1898-2009, bulk 1995-2009
Creator
- 1898 Centennial Foundation (Wilmington, N.C.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Access to portions of this collection have been restricted by Special Collections due to materials containing sensitive information. Boxes 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 contain restricted materials. Contact Special Collections Librarian for information on access to this collection.
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2021 University of North Carolina at Wilmington, all rights reserved (subject to exceptions). Certain items in this collections were conveyed to UNCW without the accompanying copyright. Where the donor did not convey copyright to UNCW, copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Historical Note
The 1898 Foundation, Inc. emerged from a loose association of representatives from community organizations and their efforts to commemorate Wilmington’s 1898 coup d’état and massacre. The 1898 Foundation was formally incorporated in the spring of 1997. The mission of the organization was “to develop and coordinate a broad-based community effort in appropriate remembrance of the Wilmington coup and violence of 1898.” According to the Foundation’s early mission statement, members hoped that “this remembrance will be the beginning of a continuing effort to improve race relations in Wilmington and help bring about a spirit of justice and tolerance for all residents of the community.” During the planning phase of the 1898 commemoration, Bolton Anthony organized a two-day visit by Durham consultation Isaiah Madison in June 1996. This visit was funded by a North Carolina Humanities Council grant, during which Madison met with Wilmington community leaders, scholars, and clergy to facilitate a discussion about the proposed programs that would be a part of the 1898 commemoration effort. Following the visit, Madison submitted a report that formed the essential planning document for the commemoration. Madison returned to Wilmington several times for meetings or to facilitate discussions, notably facilitating a strategic planning retreat in March 1997. Additionally, aware of an effort in Tulsa, Oklahoma to mark the 75th anniversary of an infamous race riot, Wilmington 1898 commemoration planners invited Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage and Oklahoma state representative Don Ross to visit and share their advice and experiences in March 1997.
The activities of the Foundation reached a crescendo in 1998, during which they organized or facilitated several community dialogue groups, a website, a video documentary, a UNCW symposium, a conference on economic inclusion, a commemorative drama, a ministerial roundtable, and a commemorative ceremony and banquet. The 1898 Foundation continued commemorative efforts into the 2000s, during which they planned, fundraised, and managed the creation of 1898 Memorial Park. The 1898 Memorial Park, featuring a monument designed by artist Ayokunle Odeleye, was dedicated in November 2008.
The activities of the Foundation reached a crescendo in 1998, during which they organized or facilitated several community dialogue groups, a website, a video documentary, a UNCW symposium, a conference on economic inclusion, a commemorative drama, a ministerial roundtable, and a commemorative ceremony and banquet. The 1898 Foundation continued commemorative efforts into the 2000s, during which they planned, fundraised, and managed the creation of 1898 Memorial Park. The 1898 Memorial Park, featuring a monument designed by artist Ayokunle Odeleye, was dedicated in November 2008.
Extent
10.6 Linear Feet (Contains 22 document boxes, 1 oversized box)
Language
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into the following series: "Confronting Dangerous Memories" Binders, 1995-2000; Administrative Files, 1995-2007; Correspondence, 1996-2007; 1898 Foundation Executive Council and Membership Meetings, 1999-2009; Publicity Materials, 1996-2008; Budgetary and Management Files, 1988-2009; Programs and Partnerships, 1898-2009; Historical Background and Reference Resources, 1898-2001.
The Budgetary and Management Files series is divided into the following sub-series: Budget, 1997-2009; Fundraising, 1997-2008; Grants, 1994-2007; Personnel, 1988-2008.
The Programs and Partnerships series is divided into the following sub-series: 1898 Foundation Program Committee, 1999; Isaiah Madison Consultation, 1996-1997; Visit with Tulsa Leaders, 1996-1997; "Remembering 1898"- An Introductory Video, 1995-2002; "Confronting Dangerous Memories: Wilmington's Centennial Commemoration of the Coup of 1898," 1999; Alan Lipke Radio Documentary Project, 1997-2001; 1898 Memorial Planning, 1997-2008; "Moving Forward Together: Wilmington's Centennial Commemoration of the Coup of 1898," 2004-2009; Related Projects and Educational Materials, 1994-2008.
The Budgetary and Management Files series is divided into the following sub-series: Budget, 1997-2009; Fundraising, 1997-2008; Grants, 1994-2007; Personnel, 1988-2008.
The Programs and Partnerships series is divided into the following sub-series: 1898 Foundation Program Committee, 1999; Isaiah Madison Consultation, 1996-1997; Visit with Tulsa Leaders, 1996-1997; "Remembering 1898"- An Introductory Video, 1995-2002; "Confronting Dangerous Memories: Wilmington's Centennial Commemoration of the Coup of 1898," 1999; Alan Lipke Radio Documentary Project, 1997-2001; 1898 Memorial Planning, 1997-2008; "Moving Forward Together: Wilmington's Centennial Commemoration of the Coup of 1898," 2004-2009; Related Projects and Educational Materials, 1994-2008.
Acquisition Information
This collection was transfered by the 1898 Foundation circa 2004. Additional materials were transfered between 2004 and 2009.
Digital Access
Portions of this collection have been digitized and/or are born-digital. For access to these digital materials, please browse the finding aid via the "Collection Organization" tab and select an individual file or item to see if it contains a linked digital record.
Processing Information
This collection was originally processed by Carroll Jones. It was reprocessed by Caroline Waller in Spring 2021.
Creator
- 1898 Centennial Foundation (Wilmington, N.C.) (Organization)
- Title
- 1898 Foundation Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Carroll Jones (2003 November 30); Updated by Caroline Waller (2021 May 03)
- Date
- Original created 2003-11-30; Updated 2021-05-03
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Randall Library Special Collections Repository