Middleton A. "Spike" Harris was an author, collector, dealer, and historian of African Americana and related research material. The Middleton A. "Spike" Harris letters consist principally of letters written by Harris to Sidney Kaplan, an English professor. The letters reflect Harris's interest in African American history and his activity as a collector. Some letters discuss the securing of memorabilia and archival items. Included in this collection is a proposal written by Joseph N. Cooper regarding organizing a museum of African American history and culture.
Middleton A. "Spike" Harris was an author, collector, dealer, and historian of African Americana and related research material. He was a founder of the Negro History Associates (NHA), which was conceived in 1963 to educate the public and schoolchildren about the role of African Americans in American history. NHA fulfilled its purpose by producing films, erecting commemorative tablets, creating and maintaining traveling exhibits, publishing books, and related activities.
Harris graduated from Howard University with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1931 and from Fordham University with a master's degree in social work in 1965. From 1931 to 1972 he served as a parole officer for the New York State Executive Department, Division of Parole. Harris died in 1977.
The Middleton A. "Spike" Harris letters consist principally of letters written by Harris to Sidney Kaplan, an English professor. The letters reflect Harris's interest in African American history and his activity as a collector. Some letters discuss the securing of memorabilia and archival items. Included in this collection is a proposal written by Joseph N. Cooper regarding organizing a museum of African American history and culture.
Gift, Kaplan, Sidney, 10/02/84
This finding aid was updated by Allison Hughes. (2022 September 22)