7th & T documentary film collection
Scope and Contents
The collection contains paper records, photographs, and moving images.The paper records include transcripts, the opening narrative, and film treatment as well as newspaper articles about the film and other publicity related content. The film footage is primarily in Beta format although there are Umatic and VHS. The moving images include raw footage as well as the final version of the film. The materials cover the dates Circa 1984-1987.
Dates
- Circa 1984-1987
Creator
- Herman, David (Director, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Biographical / Historical
The film “7th &T” documents the culture and life of the neighborhood that surrounded the Howard Theatre as well as showcasing the importance of the Howard Theatre within Washington D.C.’s Black community. The film includes interviews with community members who reminisce about their experiences going to shows at the theater. Scholars are interviewed to discuss the broader history of the theater as space within “Black American culture.” The film also includes many performances from Washington musicians. The filmmakers used archival materials as well as live action. The film was produced by TeleScope International and directed by David Herman and broadcast on PBS in 1987.
The film covers the opening of the Howard Theatre in 1910 to its closing in 1970. Many famous musicians performed at the theater such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Lena Horne, Lionel Hampton, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick, and Marvin Gaye. The Howard Theatre reopened in 2012.
David Herman (1950-2014) worked as a freelance photographer before becoming a cameraman. He became an independent filmmaker in 1985 both producing and directing documentaries. He worked as a biodynamic farmer and with adults with learning disabilities.
Extent
7 Linear Feet (four record cartons, 1 document box, 1 slim document box )
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The film “7th &T” documents the culture and life of the neighborhood that surrounded the Howard Theatre as well as showcasing the importance of the Howard Theatre within Washington D.C.’s Black community. The film includes interviews with community members who reminisce about their experiences going to shows at the theater. Scholars are interviewed to discuss the broader history of the theater as space within “Black American culture.” The film also includes many performances from Washington musicians.
The collection contains paper records, photographs, and moving images.The paper records include transcripts, the opening narrative, and film treatment as well as newspaper articles about the film and other publicity related content. The film footage is primarily in Beta format although there are Umatic and VHS. The moving images include raw footage as well as the final version of the film. The materials cover the dates Circa 1984-1987.
Arrangement
This collection is not processed and an arrangement has not yet been decided.
Physical Location
Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Margaretha van Dam Herman, October 28, 2015 (Accession 2015.060)
Processing Information
This collection is open for research, but is unprocessed. The collection may take more time to use for research please see staff for assistance.
- Black studies Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Documentary films Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Musicians -- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States -- District of Columbia -- Washington Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Source
- Herman van Dam, Margaretha (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Preliminary guide to the 7th & T documentary film collection, Circa 1984-1987
- Status
- Collection Level Record
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
