Browse the Collection

Ollie Lee Taylor wrote a letter to express his appreciation to everyone who helped participate in the fight against discrimination in the local barbershops. He also wrote about the work that still needed to be done which included holding Danville accountable and continuing to push for change in other areas within the community

Opinion piece regarding the picketing of segregated barbershops. Also commends student Ollie Taylor’s campaign, as well as pointing out that Centre should be an example for Danville as to what integration looks like. Includes corresponding cartoon.

Editorial cartoon celebrating the East District Federal Court order invalidating a section of Kentucky law that allowed Danville barbershops to discriminate against African American customers

Explains the next steps in the lawsuit filed against the barbers in Danville that refused to cut black hair. The article emphasizes how students were determined to find a solution to put an end to segregation, even if the case was not ruled in their favor

The article explains how the judge ordered the barbers to integrate. Centre’s Dean expressed his excitement. There appears to be a positive reaction from faculty and staff members which may represent the attitudes of the leadership at this time.

Letter from Conway Boatman to Walter A. Groves regarding Union College's policy on race

Letter from H. Leo Eddleman to Walter A. Groves regarding Georgetown College's policy on race

Letter from President Groves, dated May 12, 1950, to the B.O.T. in which Groves entreats the Board to "give very careful consideration to the course they deem best to follow in the question of whether or not the college should open its doors to Negro students." Groves references Senate Bill No. 100, states his own desire to integrate the College slowly, and references the American minorities faculty questionnaire distributed in January 1949, the results of which showed a majority of faculty respondents in favor of desegregation

Letter from Z. T. Johnson to Walter A. Groves regarding Asbury College's policy on race

Letter from Ms. Martha D. Simpson of Danville, KY, dated July 17, 1954, to the Centre College Office of the Dean, requesting a college catalog and application for admission

Letter from Centre College Dean Jameson M. Jones to Ms. Martha D. Simpson, dated July 21, 1954, in which he rejects her application for admission to Centre College based upon the fact that Ms. Simpson was a graduate of Bate High School, an all-black school in Danville, and therefore assumed to be a person of color and thus not eligible for admission

Report on the Bluegrass Barbershop moving from South Third Street to West Walnut Street. Barber Lester Tarter contends he was forced out. Comments from barber Either O. Richardson contending that he would lose white customers if he integrated his shop

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Bellarmine College President Alfred F. Horrigan inquiring as to Bellarmine's policies on admitting students of color, and Bellarmine's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Berea College President Francis S. Hutchins inquiring as to Berea's policies on admitting students of color, and Berea's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Brescia College President Mother Immaculata O'Reilly inquiring as to Brescia's policies on admitting students of color, and Brescia's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Campbellsville President John M. Carter inquiring as to Campbellsville's policies on admitting students of color, and Campbellsville's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Georgetown College President H. Leo Eddleman inquiring as to Georgetown's policies on admitting students of color, and Georgetown's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Kentucky Wesleyan College President Oscar W. Lever inquiring as to Kentucky Wesleyan's policies on admitting students of color, and Kentucky Wesleyan's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Nazareth College and Academy President Sister Margaret Gertrude inquiring as to Nazareth's policies on admitting students of color, and Nazareth's response

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to St. Catherine Junior College President Mother Margaret Elizabeth inquiring as to St. Catherine's policies on admitting students of color, and St. Catherine's response

Letter from Mr. Robert E. Harding, Jr., a student at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY, dated April 17, 1950, to the Centre College Registrar, requesting application materials for the summer session

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves to Mr. Robert E. Harding, dated April 26, 1950, in which Groves rejects Harding's request for application materials for the summer session based upon the fact that Mr. Harding was a student at Kentucky State College, an all-black college in Frankfort, KY, and therefore assumed to be a person of color and thus not eligible for admission

An article giving more details regarding the charges against Danville barbershops