3. Robert Edison Administration, 2000-2007
Scope and Contents
The institutional records of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston, established in 1985. Included are administrative and organizational records, records of archival holdings, and records reflecting the many programs and other outreach efforts enacted by Avery Research Center. The majority of materials are papers with a few published works, artifacts, and posters.
The records are arranged chronologically by earliest first date and divided into series by administration of ARC's leaders, reflecting the administrations of the seven directors/executive directors that ARC has had so far.
Each director's series is then further divided into three main sub-series: administration and operations, archival holdings, and outreach and programs.
Administration and operations are once again further divided by:financials (budgets and reports; grants; donations/fundraising; the College of Charleston Foundation, expenses, incoming, and gift shop); building (renovation, property, rental agreements, utilities and equipment), personnel (searches and general information, employee personnel files, volunteers and interns, and contact lists), correspondence (internal, College of Charleston, and external), policies, planning, and reports (policies and procedures; reports and planning; advisory board; staff meetings and retreats; statistics, surveys, and logs; and work schedules).
Archival holdings are divided into: policies and planning, inventories and collections, and reference and loan records.
Outreach and programs are divided into: publications (further subdivided by publication type), exhibits, Avery-run programs, collaborative programs, event calendars, scholarship and projects, student education, African American Museum, publicity and outreach, memberships and partnerships, and awards.
Dates
- Creation: 2000-2007
Creator
- From the Collection: Dulaney, W. Marvin, 1950- (Person)
- From the Collection: Glascoe, Myrtle Gonza (Person)
- From the Collection: Chandler, Karen A. (Person)
- From the Collection: Edison, Robert (Person)
- From the Collection: Williams Dockery, Patricia (Person)
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions apply.
Biography
Mr. Robert Edison was appointed the third director of the Avery Research Center in 2000. While Dr. Dulaney served as chair of the History Department at the College of Charleston, Edison oversaw Avery’s daily operations, working closely with staff to maintain and expand programming. He regarded Avery as a premier institution for African American education and history and was known as the “community historian” for his focus on preserving local cultural memory. Edison collaborated with Dr. Dulaney, David Cohen, Curtis J. Franks, and Oliver Smalls to ensure Avery’s offerings addressed challenges such as cultural erasure and gentrification. He expanded programming for youth, including quiz bowls, summer cultural contests, and preservation workshops, fostering historical awareness and community pride. He also supported the Off Your Rockers Grant, which facilitated intergenerational exchanges between elders and youth, and strengthened Avery’s partnerships with new community organizations through roundtables, local events, and ongoing participation in the MOJA Festival. Notable exhibitions during Edison’s tenure included Bougie 1854–1954, curated by Curtis J. Franks, and the Baseball Community Leagues exhibit. His administration is remembered for community engagement, educational outreach, and preservation of African American history in Charleston.
Full Extent
From the Collection: 54.34 linear feet (125 document boxes, 1 slim document box, 1 oversize box)
Repository Details
Part of the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture Repository
125 Bull Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424 United States
843-953-7608
averyresearchcenter@cofc.edu