Ann Pittman Photograph Collection
Scope and Contents
The Ann Pittman Photograph Collection documents the life of Ann Pittman, an African American folklorist who preserved songs sung by her mother and grandmother, including songs sung by her enslaved ancestors. Photographs show Pittman from young adulthood through her later years, including wearing a graduation cap and gown; with her husband, Eddie Pittman, on their wedding day; with her mother, Oray Booker Washington; and with other unidentified family members. Pittman is also shown receiving the Central Baptist Church 1994 Black Achievement Award for Excellence in Leadership. Of particular note is a photograph showing a group of African American men and woman posed in front of the St. Elmore School church building in Minter City, Leflore County, Mississippi, where Pittman taught in the 1920s.
Dates
- ca. 1927-ca. 1994
Conditions Governing Access
No viewing restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical / Historical
Ann Vasiliy Washington Pittman was born January 14, 1908 on a tenant farm in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. She was the second child of Oray Booker Washington and General Washington. She married Eddie Pittman in November 1927 while she was teaching in the rural school district in Leflore County, Mississippi. She came to St. Louis with her husband in 1928. The couple had two daughters, Edda R. and Andrea. Pittman earned an associate degree from Douglas University, and she was the oldest graduate (at age 74) from the Metropolitan College of St. Louis University.
Pittman worked to write down the songs she heard her mother and grandmother sing, including songs sung by her enslaved ancestors. Most of these were passed down by word of mouth. Eventually, these songs were published as a book titled Hand Me de Bounty Down. Pittman became a well-known local folk music performer. She died on April 14, 2009.
Extent
0.04 Cubic Feet ( (3 folders))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Color prints are stored separately from black and white prints.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
No physical or technical restrictions.
Custodial History
In 2004-2005, the donor, Candace O'Connor, interviewed Ann Pittman to record her stories, and Pittman gave the items in this collection to the donor. The donor tried to return the items to the family and learned that Pittman had no living descendants. The donor talked to Mrs. Pittman's church, where she was very involved, and decided that this collection belonged at the Missouri Historical Society.
Donor Information
Collection donated by Candace O'Connor, 2022.
Existence and Location of Originals
Several items in the collection, including newspaper clippings and a photograph, arrived as copies. The location of the originals is unknown.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).
Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.
Separated Materials
Formats
Photographs; Digital prints
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2022.
- Title
- Guide to the Ann Pittman Photograph Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105
photo@mohistory.org