Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library
Encyclopedia
The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library is a branch of the Denver Public Library that serves Denver's Five Points neighborhood and is also a research library with collections focusing on the history of African Americans in Denver and the American West
. The library was the brainchild of Denver, Colorado
's first African American
mayor, Wellington Webb
, and his wife Wilma Webb
, who felt that the history of African-Americans in Denver and the American west was underrepresented. The library was first envisioned in 1999 and designated the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in honor of Omar Blair, the first black president of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first black City Council
member. Ground breaking began in early 2002.
According to one of the library's promotional brochures, the library contains three floors, each with a different function. The first level functions as a full-service branch library of the Denver Public Library. The second level houses archives and other research collections. The third level functions as a museum and houses exhibits about the history of African Americans in Denver and in the Western United States. The exhibits include the desk Wellington Webb used during his term as Denver's mayor.
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
. The library was the brainchild of Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
's first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
mayor, Wellington Webb
Wellington Webb
Wellington E. Webb is a former mayor of Denver, Colorado. He is a graduate of the city's Manual High School. He was Denver's first African-American Mayor.Webb served as mayor of Denver for 12 years, from 1991 to 2003...
, and his wife Wilma Webb
Wilma Webb
Wilma J. Webb Wilma Webb was a member of the Colorado State Legislature from 1980 to 1993. She sponsored dozens of bills including school reform and equality initiatives...
, who felt that the history of African-Americans in Denver and the American west was underrepresented. The library was first envisioned in 1999 and designated the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in honor of Omar Blair, the first black president of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first black City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
member. Ground breaking began in early 2002.
According to one of the library's promotional brochures, the library contains three floors, each with a different function. The first level functions as a full-service branch library of the Denver Public Library. The second level houses archives and other research collections. The third level functions as a museum and houses exhibits about the history of African Americans in Denver and in the Western United States. The exhibits include the desk Wellington Webb used during his term as Denver's mayor.