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Steven K. Madsen collection on Blacks in Utah

 Collection
Identifier: ACCN 0689

Scope and Contents

The Steven K. Madsen collection on Blacks in Utah (1879-1980) was collected between 1965 and 1979 by Steven K. Madsen, whose study of the early arrival of Black people in Utah (after 1847) and the Black community of Union, Utah Territory, was prompted by an interest in history aroused by the U. S. Bicentennial celebrations of the mid-1970s. This collection contains only photocopies, and includes news clippings from The Deseret News; excerpts from Book of Marks and Brands and Book of Pioneer; deeds for property in the community of Union; Union Fort Cemetery records; handwritten recollections of descendants of early Black residents; and an announcement of a 1979 series of lectures, sponsored by the Utah State Historical Society, by University history professors on "Blacks In Utah and Universal Mormonism." Very few written historical records on African Americans who came to Utah and remained are available. One exception is the record of Green Flake, who arrived in Salt Lake along with two other Black people in the first party of Latter Day Saint Pioneers. Green Flake was an enslaved person, friend, and driver for Brigham Young. Flake was later freed, settled in the community of Union, married, and raised a family. He is buried in the Union Fort Cemetery.

Dates

  • 1879-1980

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Steven K. Madsen collection on Blacks in Utah (1879-1980) contains photocopied materials about early African Americans in Utah, especially about Green Flake and the community of Union. Included are clippings and book excerpts related to Green Flake, property records for Union, records of Union Fort Cemetery, and reminiscences by relatives of Green Flake. Also included are clippings and other materials on Black people in the LDS Church (1965-1979).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Stephen K. Madsen in 1980.

Separated Materials

Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0160 and P0237).

Processing Information

Title
Inventory of the Steven K. Madsen collection on Blacks in Utah
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by William Roberson.
Date
1996 (last modified: 2019)
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863