Founded in 1897 by Lydia Moss Bradley, Bradley University has embraced a diverse population for over 100 years. This photographic history, featuring close to 200 vintage images, focuses on the development of this institution and the African-American presence that shaped it. In January of 1963, Bradley Hall, and the student records it contained, was destroyed by fire. No effort was made until now to reconstruct or document the African-American population and its contributions to the institution. Using annuals, student newspapers, and photos provided by African-American alumni, this nearly lost history is being documented for the first time.
Dr. Arwin D. Smallwood is Assistant Professor of History and Director of African-American Studies at Bradley University.