Oral history interview with Georgia M. Jessup

Object Details

Interviewee: Jessup, Georgia Mills (1926-2016)
Names: Carver Theater (Washington, DC); Dale, Almore M., 1911-1984; Jessup, Georgia Mills (1926-2016); Mayo, James E.; Prue, Alvin Eugene; Thomas, Larry Erskine
Collection Creator: Anacostia Community Museum

Provenance: Conducted as part of the ACM 25th Anniversary Oral History Project, which includes approximately 100 interviews of residents and influential people of the Anacostia area of Washington, DC.

Biographical / Historical: Georgia Mills Jessup (1926-2016) was born in Washington DC. She earned a BA in art from Howard University in 1959, and an MFA from Catholic University of America in 1969. She became an art teacher and art administrator in DC public schools, and taught at Eliot Junior High School, Eastern and Western High Schools, and Sidwell Friends School. She held a solo show at The Potter's House in 1964 and became the first artist-in-residence for the Anacostia Community Museum in 1968. In the 1970s, she became Supervisor of Art for the DC public schools. She received awards from the Research Club of Washington, DC, the Urban League, and the American Red Cross. She passed away in Columbia, Maryland on December 24, 2016.

Collection Citation: ACM 25th Anniversary Oral History Project, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Scope and Contents note: Georgia Mills Jessup discusses how she came to serve as an artist-in-residence for the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now Anacostia Community Museum). She recalls how the museum became a central gathering point and source of pride for Anacostia neighborhood residents, how it provided historical exhibits and education that were locally relevant, and how it generally brought positive attention to the area. She describes John Kinard's leadership, devotion, and engagement with the neighborhood and the museum. She also describes how many of her artist friends appreciated the exhibition space and designers, and how many wanted to become involved in supporting or exhibiting artwork at the museum. The interview was recorded on July 17, 1991. There is background noise which muffles the audio at some points, but the interview can generally be heard clearly throughout the recording. Exhibitions mentioned: The Rat: Man's Invited Affliction, Blacks in the Westward Movement.

Restrictions: Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.