Ford, Charles H. A Guide to the Charles H. Ford Papers MG 103

A Guide to the Charles H. Ford Papers MG 103


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ODU Community Collections

3000 Perry Library
4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections

Special Collections Staff

Repository
ODU Community Collections
Identification
MG 103
Title
Charles H. Ford Papers circa 1950-2016 Date acquired: 08/15/2008
URL:
Archon Finding Aid location
Quantity
0.80 Linear Feet
Quantity
2 Hollinger document cases boxes
Creator
Ford, Charles H. (1964-)
Language
English
Abstract
Dr. Charles Ford is a history professor at Norfolk State University. His collection includes material on Ford's research on African American history and gay cultural and activist groups, primarily the Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force. These materials include correspondence, brochures, convention booklets, financial records, minutes, reports, promotional materials, a corporation agreement, invitations, cards, DVDs featuring lectures given by Dr. Ford, documents created by organizations, and articles from newspapers and magazines.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Dr. Charles Ford Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Source of Acquisition

Dr. Charles Ford

Method of Acquisition

Gift. Accession #2008-19

Processing Information

The finding aids was created by Mel Frizzell, Special Collections Assistant, in 2008.

Accruals and Additions

Additional accessions made in 2009 and 2010. Future accruals made on an ongoing basis


Biographical or Historical Information

Charles H. Ford was born in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, on January 5, 1964. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985, he earned his Masters and Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University.  In 1992 he was hired at Norfolk State University (NSU) in Norfolk, Virginia as an assistant professor of history and in 2003 became the Chair of NSU's History Department.

During the 1990s, Ford's research focused on eighteenth century Britain and the Atlantic World and his first monograph, Hannah More:  A Critical Biography, was published in 1996. Later, Ford's research interests expanded to include the history of slavery, school desegregation and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered issues. Ford's involvement in the community echoed his research interests and Ford was an active participant at community events, particularly those related to the 50th anniversary of the end of Massive Resistance.

His interests in the gay community's issues were combined with Ford's community service, including his work with the Tidewater AIDS Community Taskforce (TACT).  Since 1994, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of TACT in multiple capacities.  As of 2010, he was still involved in this organization and, having received tenure in 2007, was named an interim associate dean at NSU.

Note written by Mel Frizzell

Scope and Contents

This collection is comprised of material both created and collected by Dr. Charles Ford.  It provides documentation of Dr. Ford's roles as a researcher and promoter of the history of the African American community within Hampton Roads.  At the same time, it documents his involvement with gay cultural and activist groups, primarily the Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force (TACT). The bulk of the collection is related to TACT. These materials include correspondence, brochures, convention booklets, financial records, minutes, reports, promotional materials, a corporation agreement, invitations, cards, DVDs featuring lectures given by Dr. Ford, documents created by organizations, and articles from newspapers and magazines.

Arrangement Note

The collection is organized into three series: Series I: Professional and Civic Involvement; Series II: Research and Publications; and Series III: Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force and Gay Activism.

Related Material

Material related to LGBTQIA+ students at Old Dominion University can be found in the Old Dominion University Gay and Lesbian Student Union (GLSU) Records (RG 37-5A).

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series I
Series I: Professional and Civic Involvement
2005-2012
Scope and Contents

This series pertains to Dr. Ford's community involvement regarding the African American community and their history and documenting other professional and public affiliations of Dr. Ford. Some of the topics discussed include Sister City, the Urban League, Voices from Within the Veil and the 400th celebration of Virginia, Waterways to Freedom exhibit, and material collected from various events featuring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This series contains brochures, conference booklets, correspondence, and event programs.

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Series II
Series II: Research and Publications
circa 1950-2012
Scope and Contents

This series focuses on Dr. Ford's research of public school desegregation in Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area. The series features correspondence, brochures, lecture notes, information about his books, and promotional material related to publications and lectures recorded on DVD about desegregation and Massive Resistance in the Hampton Roads area.

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Series III
Series III: Tidewater AIDS Community Task Force and Gay Activism
1983-2016
Scope and Contents

This series documents political and cultural groups in the gay community in Hampton Roads. Items collected related to TACT, the AIDS Fund, Inc., Network VA, Gay Men's Book Club, and the Old Dominion University Gay Cultural Studies Program. It includes minutes, correspondence, reports, financial records, promotional material, the AIDS Fund, Inc.'s corporation agreement, articles, and bulletins.

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