Object Details
Created by
Unidentified
Caption
On May 31 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, mobs of white residents brutally attacked the African American community of Greenwood, colloquially known as "Black Wall Street," in the deadliest racial massacre in U.S. history. Homes, businesses, and community structures including schools, churches, a hospital, and the library were looted and burned or otherwise destroyed. Exact statistics are unknown, but the violence left around 10,000 people homeless and as many as 300 people dead with many more missing and wounded.
Description
A black-and-white photograph of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma as it burns. Photograph is taken from an elevated position, depicting the rooftops of buildings and a skyline shrouded in smoke. Written in the negative over the smoke plume is [LITTLE AFRICA ON FIRE / TULSA RACE RIOT JUNE 1ST. 1921]. The photograph is fused to cardstock along with objects 2019.95.7, 2019.95.9, and 2019.95.10.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cassandra P. Johnson Smith
Date
June 1, 1921
Object number
2019.95.8
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
gelatin silver prints
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (Image and sheet): 2 7/8 × 4 5/8 in. (7.3 × 11.7 cm)
H x W (Board): 8 × 12 in. (20.3 × 30.5 cm)
Place depicted
Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Topic
African American
Communities
Race relations
Race riots
Tulsa Race Massacre
U.S. History, 1919-1933
Violence
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmaahc_2019.95.8