Schomburg Center Celebrates 100 Years of Preserving Black Culture

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a division of the New York Public Library located in Harlem, New York City, is celebrating its 100th anniversary today, June 14, 2025. Established in 1925 during the Harlem Renaissance, the center has grown into a world-renowned institution dedicated to preserving and providing access to Black history and culture. Its extensive collection now includes over 11 million items, encompassing rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and artifacts that document the experiences of people of African descent worldwide.

To commemorate this centennial milestone, the Schomburg Center is hosting an all-day festival that combines two of its signature events: the Black Comic Book Festival and the Schomburg Literary Festival. The celebration features a variety of activities, including panel discussions, readings, workshops, children's story times, and a vendor marketplace. The festivities will culminate in an old-school block party with live performances by DJ D-Nice, Slick Rick, and Soapbox Presents.

The centennial exhibition, "100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity," showcases notable artifacts from the center's vast holdings. Highlights include a visitor register from 1925-1940 signed by literary icons such as Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes, materials documenting the early days of hip-hop, and actor Ossie Davis's copy of the "Purlie Victorious" stage play script. An audio guide for the exhibition is narrated by actor and literacy advocate LeVar Burton.

The Schomburg Center's origins trace back to the 135th Street Branch of the New York Public Library, which opened in 1905. In 1925, during the Harlem Renaissance, the library established a Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints, which later became the Schomburg Collection. This transformation was significantly influenced by Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, an Afro-Puerto Rican historian and collector who sold his extensive collection of African and African Diasporic materials to the library in 1926. His contribution laid the foundation for the center's mission to preserve and promote Black culture and history.

Over the past century, the Schomburg Center has played a pivotal role in the intellectual and cultural life of Harlem and beyond. It has served as a hub for scholars, artists, and community members seeking to explore and celebrate the richness of Black history and culture. The center's extensive archives have been instrumental in supporting research and creative endeavors that highlight the contributions of people of African descent. Notably, the center has hosted exhibitions and events that have brought to light lesser-known aspects of Black history, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the African Diaspora's diverse experiences.

The Schomburg Center is also committed to education and community engagement. Its Junior Scholars Program offers a tuition-free Saturday program for youth from grades 6 through 12, providing them with access to the center's resources and encouraging them to explore Black history and culture. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of scholars and leaders by fostering a strong sense of identity and pride in their heritage.

In recognition of its significant contributions, the Schomburg Center was named a National Historic Landmark in 2017. As it enters its second century, the center continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and methodologies to preserve and share Black cultural heritage. Its centennial celebration not only honors its rich legacy but also reaffirms its commitment to serving as a vital resource for future generations.

The Schomburg Center's centennial celebration not only honors its rich legacy but also reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting Black culture and history for future generations.