Davis, Norma Hoffman, May 5, 2012
Scope and Contents
The Dart Library Oral History Project contains five oral histories conducted by Dr. Robert Chase, the Avery Research Center's public historian. They document individuals' experiences of using the library at Dart Hall and attending dances in the second floor of the Hall. Participants also discuss family history, their memories of Jim Crow segregration in Charleston, and their professional careers.
The oral histories are arranged alphabetically by last name at the file level. More information about the content of each oral history can be found in the abstract at the file level of each interview.
Dates
- Creation: May 5, 2012
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Full Extent
From the Collection: .209 linear feet (1 half Hollinger box, 5 CDs)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Abstract
Norma Davis Hoffman briefly discusses her family history and her parents' involvement with the Avery Normal Institute, her childhood and the neighborhood she grew up in, her memories of Jim Crow segregation, and her attendance at Immaculate Conception. She also discusses the types of books she liked to read as a child, her memories of the librarians at Dart Library including Susan Dart Butler, Mrs. Mae Purcell, and Mrs. Nell, the library's bookmobile, the types of books she would get from Dart Library, and her relationship with the library as she grew older. She then moves on to discuss her collegiate education at Fisk University, Oberlin College, and Georgetown University, her brother's attendance at Williston Academy in East Hampton, Massachusetts and her decision to not attend a similar school, where she and husband lived in D.C., and her not marching in the 1963 Civil Rights March due to concerns from her family about her pregnancy. She concludes by talking about her involvement in the 85th Anniversary Commemoration of Dart Library and what she thinks the library means to the African American community.
The oral history is conducted by Dr. Robert Chase.
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