Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., 1988 October 16
Abstract
In this interview, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. (1924-1990) reflects on his father's career as a civic leader, particularly his work on the board for Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. He discusses how segregation affected his personal experience using the city's facilities and how things changed after integration.
Dates
- 1988 October 16
Creator
- Harris, Bernard, Jr., Dr., 1924-1990 (Narrator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. (1924-1990) was a Baltimore surgeon, whose father was the prominent Baltimore physician, Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. (1898-1969).
Dr. Harris Sr. was also a civic leader and the first African-American appointed to the Park Board in 1947. During his tenure the board was was composed of a number of segregationists including the Board Chairman, Robert Garrett (1875-1961). Eventually many, including Garrett, were forced out in the 1950s and the Board voted to integrate the parks in 1955, one year after Brown vs. Board of Education abolished segregation in public schools.
Dr. Harris Jr. and his father had a joint practice on the 1200 block of North McCulloh Street, where the younger Harris continued to practice until his death. Dr. Harris Jr., like his father, was a member of a number of professional organizations and fraternities including the city and state medical societies and the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World.
Extent
1 Cassettes (46 minute audio recording)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Bibliography
"Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., Baltimore Surgeon, Dies." The Sun (1837-), Jun 01, 1990, pp. 1. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/dr-bernard-harris-jr-baltimore-surgeon-dies/docview/1734395818/se-2?accountid=14696.
"Dr. Bernard Harris Sr., Noted Elk Leader, Dies." Afro-American (1893-), Apr 19, 1969, pp. 11. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/dr-bernard-harris-sr-noted-elk-leader-dies/docview/532263903/se-2?accountid=14696.
“‘Happy Play in Grassy Places:" Baltimore's Playgrounds in Photographs, 1911-1936.” Maryland Center for History and Culture, 19 July 2018, https://www.mdhistory.org/happy-play-in-grassy-places-baltimores-playgrounds-in-photographs-1911-1936/.
Scope and Contents
Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. discusses growing up in Fells Point and the racial makeup of the neighborhood, as well as how it changed over time and varied as they moved within the neighborhood; reflects on using park facilities during segregation and how things shifted after integration; his father, Dr. Bernard Harris Sr.'s experience on the Board of Recreation and Parks and his fight to create more facilities in the city for Black citizens.
Creator
- Harris, Bernard, Jr., Dr., 1924-1990 (Narrator, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the H. Furlong Baldwin Library Repository
H. Furlong Baldwin Library
Maryland Center for History and Culture
610 Park Avenue
Baltimore MD 21201 United States
4106853750
specialcollections@mdhistory.org