Object Details
referenced
King, Jr., Martin Luther
user
Thomas, Althea
maker
Bloch Company
Description (Brief)
Althea Thomas served as organist for Martin Luther King Jr.’s congregation at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama from 1955 unti King announcing his departure for Atlanta in December, 1959. Her performances while wearing these shoes of gospel anthems such as “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” inspired King and his congregationevery Sunday during the landmark Montgomery bus boycott.
A pair of black tap shoes made by Bloch, modified to play organ bass pedals. Thomas removed the metal taps on the bottoms of the shoes to use them as organ shoes.
Credit Line
Gift of Althea Thomas
ID Number
2019.0071.01
accession number
2019.0071
catalog number
2019.0071.01
Object Name
shoes, pair of
Physical Description
canvas (overall material)
textile (overall material)
rubber (overall material)
leather (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 3 1/4 in x 3 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in; 8.255 cm x 8.89 cm x 24.13 cm
part: left shoe: 3 3/8 in x 3 1/2 in x 9 1/2 in; 8.5725 cm x 8.89 cm x 24.13 cm
worn
United States: Alabama, Montgomery
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Exhibition
Entertainment Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Subject
Civil Rights Movement
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1930237