Oral history interview with Benjamin Franklin

Object Details

Interviewee: Franklin, Benjamin L.
Names: Carver Theater (Washington, DC); Franklin, Benjamin L.; Mayo, James (1936-1995)
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: Benjamin L. Franklin is an artist who creates prints, drawings and photographs. He contributed to the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington DC by providing demonstrations to the community and contributing art to the exhibits. He also served as an Exhibits Specialist for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

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

Scope and Contents note: Benjamin L. Franklin talks about his experiences with the Anacostia Neighborhood Museum (now Anacostia Community Museum) from its inception in 1967 until 1991. He describes his friendships with John Kinard and James Mayo, and the drawings, prints, and photographs he contributed to some of the exhibits. He describes the museum's impact and expresses his wish that it expand and receive more attention. He describes the positive effects of the museum's relationship with the Smithsonian Institution, and of the relocation from the Carver Theater to Fort Stanton Park. He also shares memories of the museum's traveling exhibits. In particular, he describes taking the Frederick Douglass Years exhibit to the Trenton State Museum in New Jersey. The interview was recorded on June 26, 1991. The audio quality is clear throughout the recording with some minor background noise. Exhibition mentioned: The Frederick Douglass years: a cultural history.

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