Anacostia Community Museum Archives

Percival Bryan collection, 1932-1993, bulk 1942-1980

Summary

Collection ID:
ACMA.06-001
Creators:
Bryan, Percival
Dates:
1932-1993
bulk 1942-1980
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
5.94 Linear feet
20 boxes
Repository:
The collection, which dates from 1932 to 1993 and measures 5.94 linear feet, documents the career and personal life of Washington, DC cabdriver Percival Bryan. The collection is comprised of an autobiography, autograph books, citations, correspondence, memorabilia, photographic prints, and printed materials.

Arrangement note

Arrangement note
The papers are organized into five series. The Photographs series has been further arranged into subseries. The contents of each series and subseries are arranged alphabetically. There are oversize materials in the Biographical and Photographs series. The series and subseries are arranged as follows:
  • Series 1: Autobiographical
  • Series 2: Biographical
  • Series 3: Autograph albums
  • Series 4 Memorabilia
  • Series 5: Photographs
  • Subseries 5.1: Portraits
  • Subseries 5.2: Bryans and friends
  • Subseries 5.3: Special events
  • Subseries 5.4: Social groups
  • Subseries 5.5: Travel and recreation
  • Subseries 5.6: Miscellaneous

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Born in Galena, St. Mary's Parish, Jamaica, Percival Bryan (1906-1996) came to the United States in 1924 as a stowaway in search of adventure and opportunity. He settled in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., involved himself with various social and civic organizations, and was instrumental in forming the Caribbean American Inter-cultural Organization. He worked as a White House butler under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). Bryan also served as a chauffer for Attorney General Homer S. Cummings (1870-1956) before becoming a cab driver. An autograph collector, Mr. Bryan collected over 100,000 signatures of notable individuals.

Administration

Author
Vuanya T. Cyrus
Provenance
The Percival Bryan collection was donated to the Anacostia Community Museum in 1993 by Mr. Bryan's daughter, Rose Dyke.
Processing Information note
Finding aid prepared by Vuanya T. Cyrus, 2009-06. Finding aid encoded by Elizabeth bauerle, 2011-12.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access note
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Preferred Citation note
Percival Bryan collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Rose Dyke.

Related Materials
This collection contains artifacts catalogued in the ACM Objects collection.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
African Americans Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Washington (D.C.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taxicab drivers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American neighborhoods Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographic prints Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Autograph albums Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Memorabilia -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American musicians Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jamaican Americans Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cummings, Homer S. (Homer Stillé), 1870-1956 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bryan, Percival Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Anacostia Community Museum Archives
1901 Fort Place, SE
Washington, D.C. 20020
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-4853
ACMArchives@si.edu