Music History Archive

The purpose of the Archive was to collect documents, music manuscripts, memorabilia, recordings, and artifacts pertaining to African American musicians and composers who lived in Southeast Queens. Dr. Robert Parmet of the History Department has been the College’s representative to BAHF, as well as a member of the Archive Advisory Committee, since the project's inception.

The first donation of materials to the Music Archive, which is housed in the York College Library, was by trumpeter and composer Wilbur "Buck" Clayton, who donated the scores to five of his compositions, as well as a trumpet case and various mutes.

Other significant additions to the Archive over the years were a tenor saxophone that belonged to Al Sears, and a flute that belonged to inventor (and electrical pioneer) Lewis Latimer. The opening exhibit of the Music History Archive took place on May 2, 1994.

Other collaborations between BAHF and York College include numerous commemorations for Duke Ellington Month, with lectures and concerts. Ellington vocalist Joya Sherrill performed at the 1991 commemoration. In 2007, York College and BAHF paid tribute to the wives of jazz musicians, honoring Catherine Basie, DeLores Bell, Mary Benton, Patricia Clayton, Evelyn Ellington, Mona Hinton, Gloria Johnson, Barbara Perkins, Jean Prysock, Ruth Sears, Hope Townsend, Catherine Williams, Estella Williams, and Eva Taylor Williams.