Shepherd, Harry (ca. 1854–?)

Harry Shepherd, an African American photographer who lived and worked in St. Paul between 1880 and 1905, became one of the most successful photographers in the city. Shepherd’s work earned awards and an opportunity to provide photographs for the American Negro Exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition. Politically active, he took part in the National Afro-American Council (NAAC), and ran for Fourth Ward alderman in 1902.

Participants in the 1916 St. Paul Winter carnival pose in their "Africa costumes."

St. Paul Winter Carnival 1916

Participants in the 1916 St. Paul Winter carnival pose in their "Africa costumes."

Participants in an agricultural pageant in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Agricultural Pageant

Participants in an agricultural pageant in Anoka County, Minnesota in 1916.

Participants in a Kiddies Parade, an annual event held during the summer in New Ulm, Minnesota. The children and parents make all of their own costumes and floats.

Participants in a Kiddies Parade ca. 1975

Participants in a Kiddies Parade, an annual event held during the summer in New Ulm, Minnesota. The children and parents make all of their own costumes and floats.

University of Minnesota students, and members of the campus Aquatic League, practice a dance number in blackface for the comic water ballet to be performed in the Cooke Hall exhibition pool on Friday night. L to R: Susan Fredrickson of Santa Cruz, California; Trudy Schlek of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kit Thiele of Madison, Minnesota; and Gerrie Ghent of St. Paul, rehearse a "Licorice Lindy" dance number with canes in Cooke Hall. Originally published in the Minneapolis Tribune, April 14, 1950.

Water ballet at University of Minnesota Aquatic Show (1950)

University of Minnesota students, and members of the campus Aquatic League, practice a dance number in blackface for the comic water ballet to be performed in the Cooke Hall exhibition pool on Friday night. L to R: Susan Fredrickson of Santa Cruz, California; Trudy Schlek of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kit Thiele of Madison, Minnesota; and Gerrie Ghent of St. Paul, rehearse a "Licorice Lindy" dance number with canes in Cooke Hall. Originally published in the Minneapolis Tribune, April 14, 1950.

Inside spread of The Five Star Minstrel Book, describing the iconic details of traditional minstrel-show costume and makeup.

Inside The Five Star Minstrel Book (1938)

Inside spread of The Five Star Minstrel Book, describing the iconic details of traditional minstrel-show costume and makeup.

Metal windup toy car model of the Fresh Air Taxicab from the radio show Amos 'n Andy, made by Louis Marx and Co. of New York. It features two caricatured men riding in the car, the driver is wearing an orange vest, while the passenger wears a blue jacket and smokes a cigar. Made sometime between 1930 and 1939.

Toy Car

Metal windup toy car model of the Fresh Air Taxicab from the radio show Amos 'n Andy, made by Louis Marx and Co. of New York. It features two caricatured men riding in the car, the driver is wearing an orange vest, while the passenger wears a blue jacket and smokes a cigar. Made sometime between 1930 and 1939.

Inside spread of a pamphlet promoting the fiftieth anniversary performance by long time stage partners James McIntyre and Thomas Heath. The pamphlet celebrates the longevity of the duo as well as the quality of their blackface minstrel shows. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

To McIntyre and Heath (1924)

Inside spread of a pamphlet promoting the fiftieth anniversary performance by long time stage partners James McIntyre and Thomas Heath. The pamphlet celebrates the longevity of the duo as well as the quality of their blackface minstrel shows. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

Cover spread of a pamphlet promoting the fiftieth anniversary of the stage partnership between James McIntrye and Thomas Heath, who were some of the most influential and famous blackface minstrels of their time. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

To McIntyre and Heath (1924)

Cover spread of a pamphlet promoting the fiftieth anniversary of the stage partnership between James McIntrye and Thomas Heath, who were some of the most influential and famous blackface minstrels of their time. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

Five candidates for public office advertise their campaigns in a blackface minstrel show pamphlet. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

Advertisements in the Big Minstrel Jubilee pamphlet (1924)

Five candidates for public office advertise their campaigns in a blackface minstrel show pamphlet. From the Minnesota Historical Society pamphlet collection, St. Paul.

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