York’s Black history
Key resources about black history
Selected stories about black history in York County
- James McClure’s York Town Square stories about black history in York County.
- York Daily Record stories on Black history and culture
- James McClure, YDR: “Redlining in York: How government policies kept African Americans poor and segregated.”
- James McClure: Separate but equal – “Yorktowne Hotel serves as 11-story measuring stick.”
- Loretta Claiborne selected as one of 10 most inspirational women in Pennsylvania in past century
- David Latzko’s article covers where enslaved people lived in York County and the nationalities who owned in the late-1700s.
- Saved at the age of 4 by a York cop, he has returned nearly 70 years later to thank him
The three panels of the Civil Right Heroes – Barrier Breakers murals are mounted at the York County History Center in 2010. The middle panel is enlarged above. Bios about those in painting: Part 1; Part 2; Part 3.
Selected Black history posts, sites on social media
- Database of known burials in North York’s Lebanon Cemetery.
- Friends of Lebanon Cemetery, restorationists of this historic black cemetery.
- Keystones Oral History, recently featuring York County military veterans, with documentary video.
Videos and photo galleries
- “Assemblage” art exhibit promotes black togetherness and shatters stereotypes
- “Casting Shadows” exhibit shows African-American York residents through history
- Treasure of African-American art at Crispus Attucks Community Center (Video)
- ‘Hate is a consuming fire’: Sister of Lillie Belle Allen gives heartfelt speech. (Video)
- Almost Forgotten: A glimpse at African American’s in York County’s past (Video)
- Ophelia Chambliss’ past and present art shows the black experience in York and the region
- York dedicates block to Crispus Attucks’ Bobby Simpson
Other resources
- African-American collections, photos in York County History Center Archives
- Rusk Reports 1.0, 2.0, 3.0
- Crispus Attuck’s Bobby Simpson learned from his mentor Dr. Frederick Douglass Holliday
- Autobiography of York County’s Amanda Berry Smith, renowned Black evangelist and daughter of an Underground Railroad operator.
- When noted Black poet Alice Dunbar visited York County to stump for women’s suffrage
- Journal of York County Heritage, 2019, is themed on connection with the 1969 York race riots
- Special YDR anniversary section published in connection with Crispus Attucks’ 75h anniversary in 2006
Crispus Attucks Community Association
- Crispus Attucks formed to combat segregation.
- Jeff Kirkland’s book “Crispus Attucks Association: 85 Years of Community Building, 1931-2016.” Available at Crispus Attucks Center.
- Treasure of African-American art at Crispus Attucks Community Center (Video)
- York dedicates block to Crispus Attucks’ Bobby Simpson
- Crispus Attuck’s Bobby Simpson learned from his mentor Dr. Frederick Douglass Holliday
- Special YDR anniversary section published in connection with Crispus Attucks’ 75h anniversary in 2006
- Crispus Attucks’ Goodridge Freedom Center.
- Crispus Attucks cultural center and museum.
This page is under construction. If there are other resources to consider for this list, please contact me: jimmcclure21@outlook.com.