The Penn Stater Magazine

Treasures on View

February 6, 2009 at 7:10 pm Chas Brua 1 comment

Charles Blockson ’56 H&HD has made it his life’s mission to document the history of African-Americans. And he’s been very generous with his historical treasures: more than 500,000 items donated to Temple University’s libraries … more than 10,000 volumes donated to Penn State’s Charles L. Blockson Collection … countless hours spent teaching and speaking to groups.

Cover illustration by Romare Bearden, from the Blockson Collection

Friday’s Centre Daily Times spotlights an exhibit, curated by Pia Deas ’04g, that offers a glimpse into the collection Blockson gave to Penn State. The exhibit will be on display in Pattee Library’s Diversity Studies Room (109 Pattee) until March 2. (For information about visiting the larger Blockson Collection, call 814-865-1793.)

Blockson will also be speaking at an Alumni Association “City Lights” event in Philadelphia this coming Thursday, Feb. 12. He’ll be talking about “African American History, Above Ground and Underground in Philadelphia” at the Independence Seaport Museum.

Chas Brua, contributing editor

Entry filed under: Alumni Association, Famous Penn Staters, Pattee Library, Penn State alumni, University Park campus. Tags: African diaspora, African-American history, book collectors, Charles Blockson, Independence Seaport Museum, Pattee Library, Pia Deas, Temple University.