{"value"=>"<p>This series is arranged into six subseries: Personal; Professional; Family; Barbados; Silver Bay; and general files.</p> <p>The personal correspondence is mostly from friends, although there are some from activist acquaintances, such as sociologist Kenneth B. Clark. These letters sometimes provide a view into the African-American situation in other cities and states. Also included here are letters relating to Collymore's home purchase and his 1947 retirement claims to the Isthmian Canal Commission as a former employee on the Panama Canal Zone.</p> <p>Letters in the professional folder generally relate to Collymore's dental practice, professional memberships, and difficulties experienced as a black professional trying to serve poorer members of his community.</p> <p>The family letters comprise correspondence to and from various family members, including Collymore's parents and siblings. Letters between Errold and Magdalene and those to and from the Collymore children are filed separately within the sub-series. Of particular note in the latter group of letters are a five page letter to Cynthia from her father in which he discusses their lineage (and, in the process, gives her a lesson on slavery and the West African past); letters from Duncan's tenure at Michigan State University, which include news of the campus NAACP's student chapter and its activities; and a letter to James's third grade teacher objecting to his playing Tar Baby in a school play.</p> <p>Letters from friend St. Clair Harlow comprise the bulk of the Barbados files, which offer some view of life and attitudes there; the remaining letters are from family members, some requesting money.</p> <p>The Silver Bay and general letters relate to the Collymores' vacations at Silver Bay, the YMCA Conference and Training Center founded in 1902, and household and business matters.</p>"}