Carnegie Library and the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives, Florida A&M

Located in the historic Carnegie Library of Florida A&M and founded in 1976, the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum is an important repository for African American history. The archive contains over 500,000 individual records and over 5,000 artifacts as well as a small museum with exhibits that focus on African American history in Florida. The archive and museum are located in the first Carnegie Library built on a Black land-grant college campus when it opened in 1908. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The museum exhibits focus on the history and role of African American churches, educational and research at Florida A&M University, and important figures in politics, science, medicine, business, sports, and the military. The Center was named in honor of veteran Florida legislator, retired U.S. Congresswoman and FAMU graduate, Carrie P. Meek (b. 1926), and Dr. James Eaton (1930-2004), who founded and served as the Center's first director. The Center opened five years after the Florida state legislature authorized the establishment of a repository dedicated to African American history.

The history of the Carnegie Library dates back to 1904 when the General Alumni Association (of the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students, the second name of the Florida A&M) created a committee tasked with requesting funds from philanthropist and steel magnate, Andrew Carnegie. By then, Carnegie had donated money to many communities around the country that wanted to build libraries. The effort gained even more impetus in December 1905 after a fire destroyed Duvall Hall, which housed the library. Finally, in July 1906, the college president announced that Carnegie donated $10,000 to help build a new library on the condition the college supply the books. Construction of the library was finished in 1908.

"Founding & History of the Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum." The Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum. Accessed April 14, 2014. http://famu.edu/index.cfm?MEBA&History.

Monroe, Elizabeth. "Carnegie Library." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 17, 1978. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/6171fb97-1b1c-4dff-a2cd-ff243baeae7c.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons