Press Release from the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center:

FINDLAY, OHIO — The Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center is proud to announce the public launch of its Digital Archive, a growing online collection of over 100 historical and cultural artifacts now freely accessible at www.blackheritagecenter.org/digital-archive.

This new digital resource currently showcases over 120 unique artifacts—each accompanied by images and written descriptions—with hundreds more items to be added in the coming months. The archive represents the first phase of a long-term effort to increase access to the Center’s rich collections and enhance educational opportunities for students, teachers, and lifelong learners.

Spanning multiple categories, the archive represents a portion of the library’s vast collection of artifacts from around the world, ranging widely from hand-carved African ceremonial masks to indigenous musical instruments, artwork inspired by African proverbs, and significant items from African American history. Some especially noteworthy items include a jersey worn by legendary pitcher Satchel Paige and memorabilia from the Negro Leagues in baseball, and even a replica of the shipping crate Henry “Box” Brown used to escape slavery. The Center also houses an extensive collection related to the Tuskegee Airmen, with many pieces having been donated from the Smithsonian Institution.

The archive is free and available to the public and is designed to be especially useful to middle and high school teachers of civics, social studies, and American and world history. The resource provides educators with topically relevant material aligned with Ohio’s academic standards, helping students see themselves—and others—reflected in the historical record.

 “Our collection speaks to the breadth and depth of a global experience,” said Jerome Gray, Interim Executive Director of the Center. “We took great care to study the Ohio Common Core and select collections in our archive that clearly align with our state standards and requirements. By digitizing these materials and making our library and museum more widely available and accessible, we hope to introduce students in Ohio to people, events, and stories that might not have made it into their textbooks but that are nevertheless essential parts of our shared history.”

The project was made possible through support from Ohio Humanities, the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation, and a small team of faculty, staff, and graduate students from the University of Findlay. Digitization began in 2022, with a soft launch in 2024, completing the first phase of the project. Future phases will focus on uploading the Center’s growing collection and expanding the use of the archive beyond the classroom.

To explore the archive, visit: https://www.blackheritagecenter.org/digital-archive

About the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center

Founded in 1982 and based in Findlay, Ohio, the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and cross-cultural understanding. Through its museum, educational programs, and extensive collection of global artifacts, the Center provides space for learning, reflection, and celebration of the many cultures that shape our shared world.