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COMMONS ARCHIVE IS A PERMANENT NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORY BANK AT OAKLAND'S GOLDEN GATE LIBRARY info@commonsarchive.net

WHO

ARE

WE?

PEOPLE JUST

LIKE TO

HAVE A

SAFE SPACE

WE HAD

HISTORY

UNDER

THE BED

WE LOVE

OUR

COMMUNITY

"WE HAD HISTORY UNDER THE BED. WE HAD THE WHOLE HISTORY OF BETH EDEN BAPTIST CHURCH UNDER THE BED."

Eugene Lasartemay, Founder, East Bay Negro Historical Society, 1986

In the mid-1940s, Eugene and Ruth Lasartemay, along with several other members from their church, started collecting artifacts and stories from their community to celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the Bay Area and beyond. They formalized their pioneering Black history efforts by creating the East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS) in 1965. In the mid-1980s, after being housed in several store fronts in North Oakland, EBNHS was hosted by Oakland Public Library’s Golden Gate Branch. This unique archive became the basis for Oakland’s African American Museum and Library which opened its downtown doors in 2002.

While renovating his grandparents’ home, Mark Lasartemay has set aside 6 large boxes of his grandparents’ personal archives: dozens of plaques and awards, family photos dating back to the early 1900s, travel journals, clippings and books. He has generously loaned these materials to Commons Archive. During weekly research sessions, we have been slowly unpacking and annotating these treasured items, many of which Mark has never before seen.

"PEOPLE JUST LIKE TO HAVE A CALM, RELATIVELY SAFE PLACE TO COME AND DO WHAT IT IS THEY NEED TO DO."

Sharon, Golden Gate Librarian since 2000

Since its construction in 1918, the Golden Gate branch has mirrored and embraced its surrounding community. In 1982, the East Bay Negro Historical Society, a group initiated by Eugene and Ruth Lasartemay, was invited into the Golden Gate Branch, making it the first Oakland city library with a predominantly African American focused collection.

This modest Carnegie-endowed building welcomes nearly 2,000 visitors weekly and has a circulating collection of over 40,000 items. For more than 25 years, The Friends of the Golden Gate Library has been hosting a free summer jazz concert series. This renown event draws big crowds, including many who have moved from the area. In 2018 the Golden Gate Library will celebrate its centennial anniversary.

"WHO ARE WE? WHAT IS THIS PLACE? WHO DOES IT BELONG TO?"

Brock, Neighbor since 2003

These large questions are at the heart of Commons Archive, a participatory, permanent neighborhood memory bank housed at the Golden Gate Library in North Oakland, CA. As authors of their local history, neighbors contribute as well as annotate archive materials, adding their stories and images to this evolving collection.

Over two years, starting in Spring, 2017, neighbors can share photos, ephemera and memories at the library and other local gathering sites. This material, along with content from the Oakland History Room, The African American Library, and The Emeryville Historical Society forms the organic archive. In collaboration with community members, we are organizing public programs and installations at the library revealing the changing community’s layered history.

"WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT EVERYBODY TO COME IN, BUT WE'D LIKE PEOPLE TO COME IN AND GET TO KNOW US FIRST, BEFORE YOU START CHANGING IT."

Joanne, neighbor since 1945

The Golden Gate Library serves a small wedge of North Oakland that is nestled between Berkeley and Emeryville. In the past few years, new community efforts are reinvigorating once-dormant places into vibrant neighborhood assets. At the same time, the Golden Gate is shifting away from its predominantly African-American, historically working-class roots, sparking controversial debates among residents about local identity.

Known as the birthplace of the Black Panthers and current home to Pixar and biotech industries, this area is economically and culturally diverse. Tensions are on the rise with new housing developments and displacement of long-time residents. Commons Archive will pool the community’s collective knowledge to explore themes including: the great migration to the tech migration, local heroes, evolution of block clubs, and community activism.

SAN PABLO AVENUE'S CHANGING BUSINESS DISTRICT

One of many photos in the Emeryville Historical Society’s collection documenting the business corridor’s transitions from the late 1800s through today.

WILLIAMS APPLIANCE STORE SINCE 1961

"Pop was just a determined man...He didn’t have to advertise: People remember us just by having 50, 60 appliances out front every day."

Golden Gate Library Centennial

Commons Archive organized a huge celebration to honor the library’s first one hundred years of service to the community! From babies to nonagenarians and everyone in between, hundreds of neighbors joined the festivities. There was something for everyone, including performances by community bands, hands-on activities with local organizations, story sharing and delicious food from Golden Gate venues.

Take a look at the celebration.

Want to see more photos of the fun day? Thanks to the library volunteers who took these awesome photos...look here, here and here!

Golden Gate Stories

Commons Archive was recently featured on local radio station KPFA and interviewed by Liam O’Donoghue creator of the local history podcast East Bay Yesterday.

Hear neighbor voices about community change in North Oakland.

EMERYVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PHOTO COLLECTION

Klinknerville signage developed by Charles Klinkner, circa 1870, the first large scale real estate developer in North Oakland.

VITAL FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS

Fred Williams, second generation owner of a used appliance store that has been serving the neighborhood since the 1960s.

LASARTEMAY FAMILY ARCHIVES

One of many portraits of Eugene Lasartemay, in recognition of his pioneering work on collecting local African American history.

NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD MARKET

Established in the 1950s, this market has continued to serve the neighborhood in various incarnations. Courtesy the Oakland Public Library’s History Room.

NEIGHBOR-LED WALKING DISCUSSION

One of many tours in which locals share their family history and neighborhood roots. Joanne’s parents were among the first African Americans to purchase a home in the neighborhood in the 1940s.

NEIGHBORHOOD IN TRANSITION

This once 'forgotten' area of Oakland is now one of the hottest real estate markets in the Bay Area with some of the city’s oldest Victorians undergoing massive transformation.

EAST BAY NEGRO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Dr. Marcella Ford, an extraordinary educator who advocated for the inclusion of black history in elementary school curriculum, was on the East Bay Negro Historical Society Board. EBNHS first store-front museum, c. 1971.

HOME OF THE BLACK PANTHERS

One of half a dozen signs in the neighborhood that commemorate important sites in the Panthers’ history.

NEIGHBOR'S PERSONAL ARCHIVE

Laura, a local activist, started the Golden Gate neighborhood group in the 1980s and has preserved photos, newsletters and scrapbooks.

NORTH OAKLAND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COUNCIL

Made up of various North Oakland community stakeholders working to address issues of community violence, the group runs various programs including regular peace walks.

FIRST REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER

Charles Klinkner, c. 1880, advertised his real estate development with massive signage as well as monkeys, dogs, and donkeys decked out in costumes. Courtesy Oakland Museum of California Archive.

EAST BAY NEGRO HISTORICAL SOCIETY LOGO

Their mission was to amplify the history and achievements of African Americans. They hosted many school tours at their storefront museum.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ALL THE TIME

One of the many articles highlighting the importance and necessity of the Lasartemay’s tireless work. From the archives of the African American Museum and Library of Oakland.

THE OAKLAND HISTORY ROOM

One of the few library resources to still use a card catalog, the History Room’s knowledgeable staff guides users to their enormous collection including clipping files, photos, journals and rare books.

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