From Church Pews to Community Stories: "New Collections Bring Hidden Histories to Light”

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a genealogist adn local historian  recently established three new collections at The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies: Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and Robert “Free Bob” Louis Vernon, Jr. collection.  Vernon High School of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana; and Grants Chapel AME Church Collections.  The collections are rich in photographs, documents, funeral programs, and church programs, these collections provide a comprehensive archive that contributes significantly to understanding the history of African Americans in the Florida Parishes from Reconstruction to the present.

The collections offer invaluable insights into the social, cultural, educational, civic, and religious lives of African American communities in the region. By preserving personal narratives and community events, they enable researchers to gain a deeper understanding of local history and its impact on broader societal change.

John Smith, Pastor
Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Arcola, LA
Photo Credit: Wallace Gilmore 

In addition, these collections help fill gaps in the historical record, offering a more complete and nuanced picture of the past. They give researchers access to primary sources that can lead to new interpretations and discoveries about the region’s history. The collections also serve as a foundation for comparative studies, allowing scholars to explore connections between local and national historical trends. Furthermore, they provide a rich resource for educators and students interested in studying the diverse cultural heritage of Southeast Louisiana.

The Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies has recently established three archival collections: Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church; the Robert “Free Bob” Louis Vernon, Jr. Collection and Vernon High School of Mt. Hermon, Louisiana; and Grants Chapel AME Church. Comprising photographs, documents, and church-related materials, these collections contribute significantly to the historiography of African Americans in the Florida Parishes from Reconstruction to the present.

The collections were developed through contributions from descendants of Robert “Free Bob” Louis Vernon, Jr.—Marvin Vernon, Glyniss Vernon Gordon, and Charlene Shockley Kelly—as well as materials provided through the genealogical research of Dr. Antoinette Harrell. Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Arcola, LA.,  representation was provided by Reverend John Smith. The materials were analyzed by Dr. Keith Finley, Associate Professor of History at Southeastern Louisiana University. Notably, Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and Robert “Free Bob” Louis Vernon, Jr. are currently in the process of being added to Wikipedia.

These archival resources provide valuable primary source material for examining the social, cultural, educational, civic, and religious dimensions of African American life in Southeast Louisiana. Luther Tolliver a local photographer documenting. Luther Tolliver, a local photographer, documented the event, contributing visual records that further enhance the historical significance of the collections. To learn more about the local history of African Americans please visit Untold History Foundation, LLC. website at www. untoldhistoryfoundation.com