Guide to the Elizabeth Johnson Perry papers , 1937-1967

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title:	Elizabeth Johnson Perry papers
Date range:	1937-1967
Creator:	Perry, Elizabeth Johnson
Extent:	500 item(s)
Abstract:	Elizabeth Johnson Perry was an African-American domestic worker in New York. The papers date between 1937-1967 and contain letters, greeting cards, financial records, photographs, a scrapbook, and museum objects.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 89.16

Scope & content

The Elizabeth Johnson Perry Papers, 1937-1967, consist of incoming letters, greeting cards, financial records, photographs, a scrapbook, and museum objects relating to her life in New York as an African-American domestic worker. Materials of interest are greeting cards and a souvenir from the New York World’s Fair, a wooden dustpan and brush. The correspondence received from her friend Mabel (Jean Clarke Madison) gives a snapshot of life as a domestic worker in Los Angeles, California. Perry also collected clippings on African-American pop icons such as: Joe Lewis, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, Fats Waller, and Josephine Baker.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Perry, Elizabeth Johnson, 1900-1986

Subject Names

• Perry, Elizabeth Johnson, 1900-1986

Subject Topics

• African Americans--New York (State)--New York--History.
• Household employees--United States--History--20th century.
• African American household employees

Subject Topics

• Race, Ethnicity and Gender
• Social Life and Customs

Document Types

• Letters (correspondence)
• Photographs

Occupations

• Household employees

Arrangement

• Series 1: Letters to Elizabeth Johnson Perry
• Series 2: Cards
• Series 3: Ephemera and Museum Objects

Biographical note

Elizabeth Johnson Perry, born 1900, was a woman of African-American descent. From the 1930s through the 1960s, she was employed as a domestic worker in New York City. She died in 1986. No other information is currently available about her life.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Elizabeth Johnson Perry papers, Ms. 89.16, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The Elizabeth Johnson Perry papers were given to the John Hay Library in 1989 by Karen Allen Baxter of the Rites and Reason Theatre.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by John Hay Library staff.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Mark Chepkwony 2010 March 24
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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