This post has been two years in the making. It has been a tremendous challenge to gather the words to confront this topic: What happens when you find hate in your history? In 2022 and 2024, summer interns encountered anti LGBTQ+ bigotry while researching Black churches in Central Iowa. It was hard to know what … Continue reading Finding Hate In Our History
The Challenges of Researching Black Churches
Researching Black churches using newspapers is quite tricky. Information from obituaries and weekly events are plentiful, but finding when a church’s name or location changes and consistent information on its development can be cumbersome. You have to notice patterns and think creatively. This summer we are focused on the Maple Street Baptist Church and one … Continue reading The Challenges of Researching Black Churches
Archie Alexander and Highland Park College
Established in 1890, Highland Park College was located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Euclid in Des Moines. In 1908 the college made the front page of the Des Moines Register, lamenting the loss of a (white) star football player found himself unable to compete, on or off the field, with newly admitted Black … Continue reading Archie Alexander and Highland Park College