Scope and arrangement
The Hibernia "Bernia" Austin Scrapbook focuses on the social life of the Black middle and upper class, primarily of Harlem, New York, during the 1920s-1940s. The scrapbook contains a variety of material: clippings; photographs; invitations; birth, marriage and death announcements; letters; and greeting cards. Also included is information about entertainers and civic and social leaders.
Of particular interest are a postcard from A'Lelia Walker to Bernia Austin written in New Haven, Connecticut, where Walker was staying for a few days, and an article and flyer regarding the auction of the contents of her home "Villa Lewaro", November 1930. There are also greeting cards from the Charles S. Johnson family, one of which contains the words and music to a piece titled "New Born: A Negro Spiritual". There are invitations to the weddings of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Isabel Washington; Eva and Richard Des Verney; and the daughters of Lester Walton, Samuel Battle, and William Pickens, as well as a page of birth announcements. There are a few letters from various politicians (mostly thanking her for her support) and other Harlem figures. With the exception of one clipping about Bernia Austin, the clippings mainly deal with well-known Black civic leaders, entertainers, and socialites.