Shomburg Center History

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture was established in 1905, named after Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, A Afro-Puerto Rican activist, writer, and historian. The Center is a part of the New York Public Library which carries many historical writings and documents on the people of African descent. Arturo Schomburg was very active in liberation movements as well as inspired many African-Americans and Afro-Latinos to get involved in African Studies. Schomburg is known for revealing the truth of history the accomplishments of African Americans as well as Africans in their own continent throughout history. His research, literature and historical art materials were purchased by the New York Public Library in 1926. They obtained his materials at the 135th Street Branch Public Library which was eventually renamed as the Arthur Schaumburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Public Library, NY). …show more content…
Today, the center has 3,900 rare books, 580 manuscripts and 15,000 pieces of sheet music and rare printed materials. There are also a vast amount of art and artifacts such as paintings, sculptures and textiles derived from Africa and the African Diaspora. Printed photographs and moving image and recorded sound divisions are also found at the Center. It includes many portraits and documents revealing scenes from Africa during the 19th and 20th century. The moving images and audio sound recordings show historical documentation of black culture such as their music and radio broadcastings aired in the 19th and 20th century. The research is used for many thing, not just limited to conducting research in books. All these resources make up the five divisions of the Schomburg Center(Public Library,