Smithsonian Exhibit: The Scurlock Studio And Black Washington


I recently visited the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. to check out a new exhibit there called The Scurlock Studio And Black Washington: Picturing The Promise.

The exhibit contains about 100 images created by the famous and distinguished Scurlock Studio, a black-owned and family-run business which for nearly a century documented African American life and culture in and around the nation’s capital.

Scurlock Studio was founded in the early 1900s by Addison Scurlock, and later operated by his sons, George and Robert, into the 1990s.

All of the photographs are mesmerizing.  And some are even breathtaking.

One of my favorites is a photograph of the basketball team of Dunbar High School in the district, formerly known as the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth and then the M Street High School.

The photo includes a young Charles Drew — who later became a world-renowned surgeon and medical researcher — as well as basketball pioneer Edwin B. Henderson.

Dunbar High School basketball team, 1922

The Dunbar High School basketball team featuring Charles Drew (fourth from right) and Head Coach Edwin B. Henderson (far right).

I love the fact that this photo is included in the collection — it shines a big light on the Black Fives Era of hoops.

I also love the write-up that goes with the image, because it acknowledges that Henderson was “a founding father of organized black basketball.”

It’s no surprise that the Smithsonian Institute did its homework on that important point.

Charles Drew at Amherst College

Charles Drew the football player, at Amherst College.

By the way, Drew was an outstanding sprinter, and later became the captain of the Amherst College track team, where from 1923 to 1925 he also starred in basketball and football.

After graduating from Amherst, Drew attended medical school at Howard University.

Picturing A Promise is a collaboration between the National Museum of American History — located on the Mall in D.C. — and the soon-to-be-built National Museum of African American History.  Both of these museums are part of the overall Smithsonian Institution.

The exhibit goes until November 15, 2009.

There is also an affordable, richly-illustrated, 224-page companion book now available: The Scurlock Studio and Black Washington: Picturing the Promise.

(Dunbar High School photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institute. Drew football photo courtesy of Claude Johnson.)

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Lewis G. Abney
14 years ago

You continue to do amazing work on highlighting the many contributions of Blacks in basketball and life. Keep up the great work!

carl campbell
14 years ago

thanks for the heads up on mr. charles drew as basketball player /track man..i knew about mr henderson thru black fives–as always –claude -keep on keeping on..

Brian
14 years ago

I have a Scurlock baby photo. :-)

Abena Lewis-Mhoon
14 years ago

Glad you visited the NMAH and enjoyed the Scurlock exhibit. I wonder if you happened to glance at the America on the Move Exhibit nearby? My piece on African American women in Washington is featured (I know it is not basketball related, but I would have loved to hear your always insightful feedback).

[…] March 31, 2009 · No Comments http://blackfivesblog.com/?p=1177 […]

EBH2
14 years ago

I purchased the book from Amazon and it was $12 off. Scurlock being based in Washington during that time captured some amazing photographs. The 12th Streeters championship photo is also his.

Kent
14 years ago

When I scrolled down slowly and saw that photo of the Dunbar High basketball with Charles Drew and pioneer Mr. Henderson, whoaaaa, wow, a classic photo from the Scurlock Family, awesome and amazing!!! Let’s Goooooo!!!

Kent