University Relations and Communications, James L. Farmer RecordsRG013.03.Farmer

University Relations and Communications, James L. Farmer RecordsRG013.03.Farmer


[logo]

University of Mary Washington Special Collections and University Archives

Simpson Library
1801 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Business Number: 540-654-2045
archives@umw.edu
URL: https://libraries.umw.edu/specialcollections/

Repository
University of Mary Washington Special Collections and University Archives
Identification
RG013.03.Farmer
Title
University Relations and Communications, James L. Farmer Records 1984-2008
Quantity
3.75 Linear Feet, 5 boxes: one record storage box, 2 legal-size document storage boxes, and 2 flat boxes.
Creator
University of Mary Washington. Office of University Relations and Communications
Creator
Farmer, James, 1920-1999
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

Researchers interested in AV materials may need to visit the Special Collections Reading Room for access due to copyright restrictions.


Biographical / Historical

James Leonard Farmer, Jr. was born January 12, 1920 in Marshall, Texas. He was an exceedingly intelligent student and began attending Wiley College at age fourteen, graduating with his B.S. degree in 1938. From there he went to Howard University School of Divinity before obtaining his B.D. degree in 1941. Eventually, Farmer would become widely recognized as one of the "Big Four" of the civil rights movement. He founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1942, and gained national recognition in the 1960s for his leadership of the "Freedom Rides" into the South. Farmer's non-violent acts played a significant role in the events leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 and the Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965.

James Farmer also forayed into politics, albeit briefly. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1968, and from 1969-1970, he served in the Nixon administration as the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services). By 1971, Farmer returned his focus to activism and education.

In addition to his role as a renowned activist, Farmer was an author, a teacher, and a labor organizer. Beyond his leadership of CORE, he also held a position as honorary vice chairman of the Democratic Socialists of America, and was a co-founding member of the Fund for an Open Society, which promoted thriving racially and ethnically integrated communities. In 1985, he began teaching the history of Civil Rights as Commonwealth Professor of History and American Studies at Mary Washingon College. He received the title of Distiguished Professor in 1987, which he held until his retirement in 1998. MWC awarded Farmer an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 1997. In 1998, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Bill Clinton.

Ill health troubled James Farmer for many of his later years. He would eventually lose both of his legs and his eyesight to diabetes, and passsed away from complications of the disease on July 9, 1999.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of materials that have been transferred to UMW Archives from the Office of University Relations and Communications, dating from 1984-2008. The majority of the collection's content includes public media materials such as television and radio appearances, and newspaper and magazine articles. The collection also includes correspondence, secretarial notes, speeches written by James Farmer, and documenation of some of Dr. Farmer's many awards and honors. These materials document James Farmer's career at the University of Mary Washington so the bulk of the contents pertain to the late 1980s and 1990s. This collection offers insight into the life of James Farmer's career as an educator and public figure later in his life.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • African Americans -- Civil rights.
  • College teachers
  • Education, Higher -- Virginia
  • Mass media
  • Press releases
  • Publicity
  • WNVT (Television station : Annandale, Va.)

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Bowers, Detine L. (Detine Lee)
  • Couric, Katie, 1957-
  • Cuthbert, Mike
  • Farmer, James, 1920-1999
  • Powell, Adam Clayton, Jr., 1908-1972
  • Stamberg, Susan, 1938-
  • Toppin, Edgar Allan, 1928-

Container List

1
Audio-Visual
  • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 1
    Documentation
    1998-2005
  • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 2
    Photographs
    1976-1989
  • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 3
    Photographs
    1992-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 4
    Photographs, Memorial Tribute
    April 20, 2001
  • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 5
    Slides and floppy disk
    1984-2001
  • Video
    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0054
      "The American Experience: Adam Clayton Powell" PBS
      December 1, 1989
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_013

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0052
      James Farmer - Baltimore "Evening Magazine" Channel 13
      May 24, 1989
      Existence and Location of Copies

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_014

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      "The Freedom Fighters," Civil Rights Leaders: Abernathy, Fauntroy, Young
      November 22, 1986, December 8, 1986
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_018b

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      Down Freedom's Main Line with James Farmer and Others
      May, 2001
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_022

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      Virginia Senate Proceedings presenting Senate Joint Resolution #80 commending James Farmer
      February 27, 1998
      ID#

      FAC0099

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_025

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 CSPAN0026
      Presidential Medal of Freedom Presentation, White House
      January 15, 1998
      ID#

      CSPAN0026

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_026

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      James Farmer's Speech to the Federal Election Commission
      April 4, 1994
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_027

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0043
      WCVE-TV, Channel 23, Interview with Dr. James Farmer
      February, 1992
      ID#

      FAC0043

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_028

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0043
      James Farmer Interview, Virginia Currents
      Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)February 1991
      ID#

      FAC0043

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_029

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      CBS, Freedom Rides - James Farmer
      July 18, 1991
      ID#

      FAC0042

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_032

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 MWC0124
      National Civil Rights Museum
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_034

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0090
      James Farmer, Road to Freedom
      January 1988
      ID#

      FAC0090

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_035

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      Julian Bond - James Farmer Visiting Scholar
      April 19, 2002
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_044

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0052
      NBC Evening News, "Unity Tour"
      NBC Television NetworkJune 21, 1991
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_ Video_015

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      James Farmer Memorial Unveiling, Dodd Auditorium
      April 20, 2001
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_021

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      James Farmer Footage for Sculptor
      2000
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_023

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0049
      James Farmer's Reflections Lectures, #1-4
      WNVT (Television station : Annandale, Va.)
      1 Cassettes
      1987English.
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_009b

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0094
      James Farmer's Reflections Lectures, #5-8
      WNVT (Television station : Annandale, Va.)
      1 Cassettes
      1987English.
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_037

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0050
      James Farmer's Reflections Lectures, #9-12
      WNVT (Television station : Annandale, Va.)
      1 Cassettes
      1987English.
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_010b

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0051
      James Farmer's Reflections Lectures, #13
      WNVT (Television station : Annandale, Va.)
      1 Cassettes
      1987English.
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_011

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      James Farmer Biography by Bill Hanson & Media Memorial Tribute to James Farmer
      August 1999, Sept. 1, 1999
      Existence and Location of Copies

      Farmer_Video_033

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1
      Interview with Dr. James Farmer, Channel 5, WTTG
      WTTG (Television station : Washington, D.C.)January 11-12, 1998
      General

      Video 023. DVD access copy available. Jewel case is damaged.

      Existence and Location of Copies

      Digitized copy available on external hard drive UOMW_July2012_DRV02, filename Farmer_Audio_023.

    • moving images [1000646114] Box: AV1 FAC0052
      Freedom Rides, 1991 Anniversary, NBC "Today"
      Couric, Katie, 1957-NBC Television Network1991
      General

      Video 031. Notations on box read "Freedom Rides, 1991 Anniversary, NBC "Today" (Video)".

      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_031.

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2 FAC0110
      A Walk Through the 20th Century with Bill Moyers, Episode 1, Marshall, Texas
      Public Broadcasting Service (U.S.)
    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2 FAC0076
      "American Experience: LBJ," Part I & II
      1991-09-30-1991-10-01
    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2
      A National Tribute to James Farmer: An American Hero
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_ Video_024

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2 FAC0118
      The CORE of James Farmer
      University of Wisconsin--MilwaukeeBowers, Detine L. (Detine Lee)1999
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 01 > Farmer_Video_036

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2
      Celebrating Black History Month, Staff Interviews on James Farmer
      February 1, 2005
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_016

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2 FAC0063
      James Farmer on "Evening Exchange", Channel 32 WHMM
      WHMM-TV (Television station : Washington, D.C.)February 6, 1991
      Digitized copy

      Farmer AV 1 > Farmer_Video_012

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2
      CBS "This Morning": James Farmer
      November 18, 1988
      ID#

      FAC0053

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_017b

    • moving images [1000646136] box: AV2
      James Farmer Memorial Unveiling, Mary Washington
      April 20, 2001
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Video_020

  • Audio
    • Audio [1000646136] box: AV2
      "With Good Reason," featuring Edgar Toppin and James Farmer
      Toppin, Edgar Allan, 1928-
      1 Cassettes
      January 1994
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Audio_040.

      General

      External notations on cassette read "WITH GOOD REASON, VOL. 2, NO. 5 / "On the Bias: Black and White Perspectivees on African-American History / Farmer (MWC) Toppin (VSU)." Case includes a business card from Pamela H. Landrum with the handwritten note "My extra copy of tape, if you want to listen. [R?] 7/16".

      Segment is hosted by Laura Womack.

    • Audio [1000646136] box: AV2
      "Weekend Edition Sunday," featuring James Farmer
      National Public Radio (U.S.)Stamberg, Susan, 1938-
      1 Cassettes
      June 18, 1989
      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Audio_041.

      General

      Handwritten notations on cassette read "James Farmer/Susan Stamberg / Weekend Edition/Sun 6/18/89." Notation on case reads "JAMES FARMER".

      Segment hosted by Susan Stamberg.

    • Audio [1000646136] box: AV2
      James Farmer singing "Which Side Are You On?"
      1 Cassettes
      Dubbed August 1999
      General

      Green sticker on case reads "Audio 042". Notations on cassette read "FAC0055 / James Farmer singing / dubbed 8/99".

      Original recording date unknown. This recording is several loops of the same song; the run time for one loop of the song is 1m45s.

      In a 1985 interview with NPR, Farmer said this is an old labor song with new words he wrote for the freedom rides.

      Existence and Location of Copies

      Farmer_Audio_042

    • Audio [1000646136] box: AV2
      "The Mike Cuthbert Show," featuring James Farmer
      Cuthbert, MikeWAMU-FM (Radio station : Washington, D.C.)
      1 Cassettes
      December 11, 1989
      General

      Notations on cassette read "CUTHBERT SHOW / JAMES FARMER ON CIVIL RIGHTS TODAY / 12-11-89." Tape label indicates that the recording comes from WAMU at American University.

      Hosted by Mike Cuthbert.

      Digitized copy

      Farmer_Audio_039.

2
Printed Materials
  • Newspaper and magazine articles
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 6
      Profiles and interviews
      1984-2008
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 7
      Speaking appearances
      1986-1998
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 8
      James Farmer Scholars
      1987-1999
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 9
      Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner
      1989
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 10
      John F. Kennedy
      1988-1993
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 11
      Martin Luther King, Jr.
      1988-2002
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 12
      Freedom Ride, 30th Anniversary
      1991
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 13
      Malcolm X
      1992-1993
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 14
      Presidential Medal of Freedom
      1997-1998
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 15
      Health
      1997-1998
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 folder: 16
      State recognition
      1997-2000
    • Mixed Materials [1000646115] Box: 1 Folder: 17
      Lester Day
      1998-1999
    • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 1
      James Farmer Multicultural Center
      1998-2000
    • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 2
      Retirement
      1998
    • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 3
      Tribute and memorial articles
      1999-2000
    • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 4
      Misc.
      1961-2002
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 5
    Civil Rights Conferences
    1989-1991
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 6
    Lay Bare the Heart promotional materials
    1984-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 7
    Press releases, MWC
    1984-1995
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 8
    Press releases, other
    1986-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 9
    Visiting Professor in Human Rights
    2002
3
Correspondence
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 10
    WNVT-TV
    1983-1992
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 11
    Employment at MWC
    1984-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 12
    AV permissions requests
    1989-2004
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 13
    Interviews with Farmer
    1990-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 14
    Honorary Program
    1996
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 15
    Presidential Medal of Freedom
    1997-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 16
    Memorial and tributes
    1999-2000
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 17
    Misc. correspondence and memos
    1986-1999
4
Subject Files
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 18
    Mary Washington College
    1984-1996
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 19
    WNVT-MWC
    1986-1987
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 20
    Biographical information
    1988-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 21
    Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    1988-1989
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 22
    Travel and engagement schedules
    1989-1996
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 23
    James Farmer Scholars
    1990-1992
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 24
    Carolyn Bennett-Speed
    1991
  • Mixed Materials [1000646116] Box: 2 folder: 25
    Articles and manuscripts
    1992-1993
5
Honors and Recognition
  • Mixed Materials [1000646117] box: 3 folder: 1
    Honors
    1984-1999
  • Mixed Materials [1000646117] box: 3 folder: 2
    Mary Washington College
    1997-1998
  • Mixed Materials [1000646117] box: 3 OS1
    Proclamation, City of Milwaukee
    1990
  • Mixed Materials [1000646117] box: 3 OS2
    Recognition letter from Texas Governor Ann Richards
    1993