Friends of the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library

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Friends of The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Wellington E. Webb was the first African American mayor of Denver, Colorado, serving from 1991 to 2003. Before leaving office in 2003, Denver’s Mayor Wellington Webb facilitated the construction of the Blair-Caldwell Branch in the historic Five Points neighborhood. 

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Do You Know How The Blair-Caldwell Library Received Its Name?

Former Mayor Wellington Webb and First Lady Wilma Webb proposed the name, which combines the last names of Omar Blair, the first black president of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first black City Council member.

The Blair-Caldwell African
American Research Library

OUR PRIMARY GOAL

The primary goal of the Blair-Caldwell Library is to provide access to resources, materials, and programming that reflect the diverse experiences and contributions of African Americans, particularly in the Denver area.

  • Preserve History:
  • Provide Educational Resources
  • Promote Cultural Awareness
  • Address Historical Gaps
  • Foster Community Engagement
  • Support Research and Scholarship
Events & Classes

Protect

our legacy

why donate

The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library strives to preserve the heritage and contributions of African Americans in Colorado and the West.

The histories of individuals, families, communities, businesses and organizations are documented by the records they create. These records provide unique and vital information to the community, the state and the nation.

Placing the records of an individual or organization in an appropriate repository ensures that: The records will be cared for by professional archivists, librarians and curators whose responsibility is to organize, protect, preserve and provide access to these important documents. The records will become part of the community’s collective memory. The records will be available for research by future generations. The records are made widely available to researchers.

Your donations will provide community education as well as encourage scholarly research.

All gifts to the Blair-Caldwell AARL will be preserved with the highest quality archival methods in order to make them accessible to future generations. All gifts will be listed on the Denver Public Library’s Web site.

WE NEED

Artifacts, Audio Recordings, Video Recordings, Books, Book Galleys, Diaries, Minutes, Proceedings, Financial Documents, Legislative Documents, Letters, Photographs, Scrapbooks and Scrapbook Materials

For more information about our donation guidelines and procedures can be found in our Donor Packet.

we are proudly located 2401 welton street. Welton Street Historic District was the heart of African American commerce during the days of segregation.

Take A Day To Visit The Blair-Caldwell AARL

We welcome you to visit us to learn more about your history and uncover the rich tapestry of your heritage at our museum. As one of only five historic Black public museums in the United States, we invite you to explore the Blair-Caldwell Archives. Here, you’ll discover over 150 collections featuring original papers, artifacts, photos, and scrapbooks belonging to remarkable African Americans who left an indelible mark on the West. Delve deeper in our Research Room, where you’ll find an extensive array of secondary sources including books, journals, magazines, newspapers, and more, all chronicling the history, literature, art, music, religion, and politics of African Americans in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West. Come, reconnect with your roots and celebrate the vibrant legacy of our community.

The Preservation of Black History

Provide Educational Resources

Promote Cultural Awareness

Foster Community Engagement

Friends of The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

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Our Library

Blair Caldwell African American Research Library

The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, located in Denver, Colorado, serves as a cultural and educational hub dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating African American history, culture, and heritage. The primary goal of the Blair-Caldwell Library is to provide access to resources, materials, and programming that reflect the diverse experiences and contributions of African Americans, particularly in the Denver area.

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Heritage

Collect and preserve materials related to African American history, including books, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and artifacts.

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Community

A gathering place where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to learn, share experiences, and engage in dialogue

Our Principles

To Preserve Our-Story: The library collects and preserves materials related to African American history, including books, manuscripts, photographs, oral histories, and artifacts, ensuring that these resources are accessible to present and future generations.

To Provide Educational Resources: It offers a wide range of educational resources, including books, documentaries, exhibitions, and online databases, to support research, learning, and scholarship on African American history and culture.

To Promote Cultural Awareness: Through exhibitions, events, lectures, and community programs, the library promotes awareness and appreciation of African American culture, traditions, and contributions to society.

To Foster Community Engagement: The library serves as a gathering place where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to learn, share experiences, and engage in dialogue about African American history and contemporary issues.

To Support Research and Scholarship: It provides support and resources for researchers, scholars, educators, and students interested in studying African American history, facilitating the exploration of important topics and themes.

Overall, the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library seeks to be a beacon of knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment, enriching the lives of individuals and communities through the exploration and celebration of African American heritage.

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Social Activists From All Regions

Wellington E. Webb, a distinguished leader and visionary, served as the Mayor of Denver from 1991 to 2003, leaving an indelible mark on the city’s landscape and community. Among his numerous contributions, the establishment of the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library stands out as a testament to his commitment to cultural preservation and access to knowledge for all Denver’s citizens.

Throughout his three terms, Mayor Webb’s dedication to urban development and community empowerment was evident in initiatives like the South Platte River Corridor Project, which not only revitalized a central Denver area but also harmonized urban growth with environmental stewardship. However, it was his passion for inclusivity and education that led to the creation of the Blair Caldwell Library, a beacon of African American culture and history, reflecting Webb’s deep commitment to celebrating and preserving Denver’s diverse heritage.

Mayor Webb’s tenure was marked by a holistic approach to governance, focusing on parks and open spaces, public safety, economic development, and particularly on educational and cultural projects. His efforts resulted in a notable decrease in crime and a thriving economy, but his vision for the Blair Caldwell Library provided a unique space for research, learning, and community engagement, honoring the African American experience and contribution to Denver’s rich tapestry.

As a former president of significant mayoral conferences and a respected voice in urban policy discussions, Webb’s influence extended beyond Denver, yet his local initiatives like the library have left a lasting legacy, fostering education and cultural understanding.

In his post-mayoral career, Webb continued to influence civic and community development, sharing his insights as a lecturer and collaborating with his wife, Wilma Webb, in various initiatives. His recognition includes the naming of the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building and the Webb Center for Primary Care, symbolizing his broad impact on Denver’s infrastructure and healthcare.

Webb’s autobiography, “The Man, the Mayor, and the Making of Modern Denver,” offers an introspective look at his achievements, with the Blair Caldwell Library shining as a cornerstone of his legacy, embodying his dedication to education, cultural preservation, and the empowerment of the African American community in Denver.

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Donation Supports the Preservation of Our Story

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Raised : $10,000

Goal : $719.000

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"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." - Alice Walker

As the first Black recipient of an architecture license in Colorado, Henderson helped design several important buildings in the state, including the US Courthouse and Federal Building.
John R. Henderson Jr.Built Denver (literally) and carved out a place for Black architects in the state.
In 1978, Jones and her then husband, John Mitchell, did something truly historic: They founded the first and only Black lifestyle magazine in Denver, Odyssey West, to focus on “the accomplishments and contributions of Afro-Americans in the urban west
Carolyn JonesHelped develop Black journalistic talent in the Mile High City.
Smith, who lived from 1911 to 1989, opened Rhythm Records and Sporting Goods in Five Points in 1939. The shop combined his two great loves: music and owning a gun. Smith, who was a music promoter, businessman, and disc jockey, was also Colorado’s first African American deputy game warden, the first Black member of Denver’s Chamber of Commerce, and Colorado’s first Black outfitter licensed to sell firearms.
Leroy SmithMade sure Black Coloradans enjoyed Second Amendment rights, too.
To address the dangers of traveling as a Black person, Victor Hugo Green published the first version of the “Negro Motorist Green Book” in 1936. The series of travel guides pointed those on the road toward gas stations, hotels, and other businesses whose owners would not discriminate against them. It was a useful resource—but Green was, apparently, not the first to come up with the idea. Hackley, who was also one of the first Black attorneys in Colorado and was a clerk with Denver County for more than a decade, cowrote Hackley & Harrison’s Hotel and Apartment Guide For Colored Travelers in 1930.
Edwin HackleyWrote a version of the Green Book before the official Green Book ever came out.