Squire Collins Papers, 1933-1973 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Cherrelle Harris

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Collection Overview

Title: Squire Collins Papers, 1933-1973

Extent: 0.25 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 01/03/2024

Subjects: African-Americans--Kentucky., Madison County (Ky.)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection includes many candid photographs of African American community members showcasing everyday life as well as more formal portraits. Newspaper clippings include death and birth notices, community news, and advertisements for the Collins Funeral Home. Correspondence includes Father’s Day, anniversary, and thank cards as well as letters thanking him for his services and congratulating him on awards and recognitions. Most of the photographs are undated.

Collection Historical Note

Squire Collins (09/02/1894 - 10/02/1983) was a Madison County, Kentucky funeral home director. He owned Collins Mortuary. He was a celebrated pillar of the community and was recognized for 50 years of service. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and served as coroner. He also participated in several conventions for African American Morticians and Funeral Directors for Kentucky and Tennessee. He was drafted for World War 1 and 2. Was married to Albirda Collins. They had two daughters, Cecilia and Blanche.

Subject/Index Terms

African-Americans--Kentucky.
Madison County (Ky.)

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Woosley, Justin

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Folder OS 1],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014264293

Folder 1: Photographs

Item 1: Group of unidentified African Americans: Group of unidentified African Americans in a diner
Item 2: Group of unidentified African Americans: Group of unidentified African Americans in a diner
Item 3: Two unidentified African Americans: Two unidentified African American men posing in suits
Item 4: Two unidentified African Americans: Two unidentified African American women sitting outside in white dresses
Item 5: Unidentified African American family: Family with man, woman, and small child
Item 6: Unidentified African American man: Male standing outside behind a chair.
Item 7: Unidentified African American people: Man and woman, sitting on a car in front of a house
Item 8: Unidentified African American people: Unidentified group of African American men, sitting on a step
Item 9: Three unidentified African American men: Men in a room. One is smoking, two are sitting at a table.
Item 10: Unidentified African American couple: Couple outside. Woman is placing a hat on the man's head
Item 11: Squire Collins posing on a hearse
Item 12: Unidentified African American men: Men next to a hearse
Item 13: Squire Collins and a woman: Squire Collins with an "Benie", in front of a house
Item 14: Unidentified African American woman: Unidentified African American woman posing in front of a house
Item 15: Unidentified African American woman: Woman posing next to a tree. "Benie?" written on the picture
Item 16: Unidentified African American man: African American man posing in front of a church. "Everett?" written on the picture
Item 17: Squire Collins and a woman: Squire Collins posing with his wife? and a man, in a yard.
Item 18: Squire Collins and unidentified people: Squire Collins with his wife? And another unidentified African American couple
Item 19: Squire Collins and unidentified people: Squire Collins with his wife? And another unidentified African American couple
Item 20: Unidentified African American woman and child: Unidentified African American woman in a wheelchair holding a book, with a little girl standing next to her
Item 21: Unidentified African American woman: Unidentified African American woman standing in a sitting room
Item 22: Unidentified African American couple: Unidentified African American couple sitting on a couch
Item 23: Unidentified African American people: Three? unidentified African American women sitting on a couch
Item 24: Unidentified African American people: Group picture of unidentified African American people
Item 25: Unidentified African American people: Group picture of unidentified African American people at a wedding?
Item 26: Unidentified African American woman: "Benie" sitting in a chair
Item 27: Squire Collins and unidentified people: Squire Collins with a other African American men and women
Item 28: Unidentified African American woman: Woman in a white dress with a flower
Item 29: School photo, 1968: African American woman, identified as Jackie. 1968 school picture
Item 30: African American couple: African American couple, labeled "My oldest daughter, Lynda and her husband Gordon Nunlee"
Item 31: School photo: Unidentified African American boy, wearing a red shirt, school picture.
Item 32: Collins Mortuary: Exterior front of Collins Mortuary residence
Item 33: Collins Mortuary: Exterior back of Collins Mortuary residence
Item 34: Collins Mortuary: Exterior of the Collins Mortuary, side of residence and front of funeral home and garage
Item 35: Collins Mortuary: Exterior of the Collins Mortuary, front of funeral home
Item 36: Collins Mortuary: Collins Mortuary back yard with hearse
Item 37: Collins Mortuary: Exterior of a building
Item 38: Collins Mortuary: Exterior of the Collins Mortuary, residence, funeral home and garage, with two cars
Item 39: Collins Mortuary: African American man posing with a hearse and another car in front of the garage of the Collins Mortuary
Item 40: Squire Collins: Squire Collins on a boat dock
Item 41: Squire Collins: Squire Collins on a boat dock
Item 42: Group of unidentified African Americans: Four African American men, standing on the steps of a building
Item 43: Squire Collins: Squire Collins sitting in a chair, on a porch

Folder 2: Funeral Home Convention Photographs

Item 1: Funeral Directors Association: A group picture of the Colored Funeral Directors of Kentucky association. Squire Collins is pictured
Item 2: Unknown Funeral Directors event: A Funeral Directors dinner/event. Squire Collins is pictured
Item 3: Funeral Directors Convention, 1949-06: Group picture of the June 1949 Ohio and Kentucky Funeral Directors Convention goers
Item 4: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Group picture of African American funeral directors. Squire Collins is pictured.
Item 5: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Group picture of African American funeral directors at an event. Squire Collins is pictured.
Item 6: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Group picture of African American funeral directors. Squire Collins is pictured.
Item 7: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Group picture of African American funeral directors convention. Squire Collins is pictured
Item 8: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Group picture of African American funeral directors. Squire Collins is pictured.
Item 9: Funeral Directors Convention, 1959-06-18: Group picture of the Joint Convention of the Ohio Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and the Kentucky Association of Morticians. Dated June 18-20, 1959. Located in Cincinnati, OH. Squire Collins is pictured
Item 10: Funeral Directors Convention, 1965-06-13: Group picture of the Bi-State Convention of the Kentucky and Tennessee Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. Dated June 13-15, 1965. Squire Collins pictured.
Item 11: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Picture of a table of people at a dinner/event of the funeral directors convention or meeting. Squire Collins is pictured
Item 12: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Picture of a large dining table, in an event place, of funeral directors seated in fine clothes.
Item 13: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Squire Collins and a group of six others, sitting in chairs. Possible funeral home directors.
Item 14: Unknown Funeral Directors event: Squire Collins is centered in a large group picture of African American funeral home directors.
Item 15: Funeral Directors Convention, 1965-06-13: Group picture of the Bi-State Convention of the Kentucky and Tennessee Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. Dated June 13-15, 1965. Squire Collins pictured.

Folder 3: Funeral and Coroner's Photographs

Item 1: Unidentified funeral: Men carrying a casket up stairs into a funeral
Item 2: Unidentified funeral: African American people walking into a church for a funeral
Item 3: Unidentified funeral: African American people walking into a church for a funeral
Item 4: Unidentified funeral: African American people walking into a church for a funeral
Item 5: Unidentified funeral: African American people walking into a church for a funeral. Squire Collins is pictured.
Item 6: Unidentified funeral: African American people lining up on the sidewalk to go into a funeral
Item 7: Unidentified funeral: Funeral of an unidentified African American woman
Item 8: Unidentified funeral: Close up of the casket at a funeral of an unidentified African American woman
Item 9: Unidentified funeral: Large group of African American people exiting a funeral. Casket is being carried out.
Item 10: Unidentified funeral: Large group of African American people exiting a funeral.
Item 11: Unidentified funeral: The burial of unidentified African American woman
Item 12: Unidentified funeral: The burial of unidentified African American woman
Item 13: Unidentified funeral: Group of unidentified African Americans at the funeral, posing for a picture.
Item 14: Unidentified funeral: Three unidentified African American people, posing for a picture at the funeral of an unidentified African American woman
Item 15: Unidentified funeral: Squire Collins and wife? At the funeral of an unidentified African American woman
Item 16: Unidentified African American people: Group of African American people, sitting in a living room
Item 17: Unidentified funeral: Two African American couples standing at the burial of an unidentified African American woman
Item 18: Unidentified funeral: Group of African American people, exiting a funeral/church
Item 19: Unidentified funeral: Pallbearers placing a casket into a hearse
Item 20: Unidentified African American man: Collins funeral employees, placing a body into a hearse. Hearse is backed up to the stairs of the residence
Item 21: Squire Collins: Squire Collins and employee, carrying a body on a stretcher to their hearse.
Item 22: Squire Collins: Squire Collins and employee carrying a body on a stretcher to their hearse
Item 23: Unidentified funeral: Deceased unidentified African American woman in an open casket
Item 24: Crime scene photo: Picture of a creek
Item 25: Crime scene photo: A police officer and Squire Collins inspecting a body under a tarp
Item 26: Crime scene photo: Squire Collins and a detective inspecting a murder victim
Item 27: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and seven unidentified men. (two police officers)

Folder 4: Photographs

Item 1: Unidentified African American woman: Picture of an unidentified African American woman, dressed in black with a hat
Item 2: Unidentified African American woman: Picture of an unidentified African American woman, dressed in white
Item 3: Unidentified African American man: Unidentified African American man in a black suit and cowboy hat, standing on a fence
Item 4: Unidentified African American men: Two unidentified African American young men, sitting for their portrait
Item 5: Unidentified African American woman: Unidentified African American woman posing with her head resting on her folded hands
Item 6: Group of unidentified African American girls: Three unidentified African American girls posing in a group shot
Item 7: Unidentified African American woman: Unidentified African American woman posing in her graduation cap and gown
Item 8: W.J. Black: Portrait, identified as Mr. W.J. Black, Lexington, KY
Item 9: Unidentified African American woman: Woman wearing a coat and white hat
Item 10: Unidentified African American boy: Boy sitting for a portrait, wearing a suit, bowtie, and hat
Item 11: Two unidentified African American boys: Two boys, wearing suits, posing for a portrait with their heads leaning on their arms
Item 12: Two unidentified African American boys: Twin boys sitting for their portrait
Item 13: Unidentified African American boy: Young man sitting on a porch
Item 14: Unidentified African American couple: Woman in a white dress. Man in a suit with a boater hat; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 15: Three unidentified African American men: Group portrait; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 16: Dorothy Caldwell: Signed from Dorthy Caldwell to an Albirda; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 17: Unidentified African American girl: Four different poses. From Ernest Brown's Studio in Louisville, KY; Physical Description: photo strip
Item 18: Two unidentified African American men: Men posing on a chair. One has a cigar in his mouth; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 19: Unidentified African American woman: Woman posing in a formal dress; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 20: Ruffus Bradshaw: signed postcard from Mr. Ruffus Bradshaw, addressed to Miss Albirda; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 21: Unidentified African American soldier: Soldier picture addressed to a Miss Pearl Lyons; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 22: Unidentified African American woman: Woman standing in a white dress and hat; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 23: Unidentified African American man: Man seated in a wicker chair, wearing a suit; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 24: Unidentified African American man: Man standing next to a car; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 25: Unidentified family: Unidentified (possible) inter-racial couple, and their daughter, standing in front of Collins Funeral Home
Item 26: Unidentified African American man and woman: Man and woman standing on a porch in winter finery
Item 27: Tobacco field
Item 28: Three unidentified African American people: People posing in front of a car. Two men and one woman. Photo developed by McGaughey's Studio, Main Street, Richmond, KY
Item 29: Unidentified African American man: Man standing in front of a corner store
Item 30: Three unidentified African American people: Two women and one man, standing behind a car. Photo developed by McGaughey's Studio, Main Street, Richmond, KY
Item 31: Unidentified African American man: Man sitting for a portrait. (Could possibly be a young Squire Collins)
Item 32: Three unidentified African American people: Two women and a man, wearing white, sitting on grass.
Item 33: Unidentified African American couple: A couple standing in a yard, with their arms around each other
Item 34: Unidentified African American people: Three men and one woman, standing in front of a building.
Item 35: Unidentified African American people: A man and a woman standing in a field on a farm. Photo developed by McGaughey's Studio, Main Street, Richmond, KY
Item 36: Unidentified African American people: Three men standing in front of a "garage." The back of the picture has writing: Please don't look so sad. "Trio"
Item 37: Unidentified African American man: Man on the ground, in a suit, holding a pickaxe, in front of a barn
Item 38: Squire Collins: Close up picture Squire Collins standing on a boat
Item 39: Squire Collins: Squire Collins standing on a boat/ferry
Item 40: Unidentified funeral: Large group of people exiting a funeral. The casket is getting carried down the steps of a church.
Item 41: Unidentified funeral: Two men and a lady, standing at a burial site at a funeral.
Item 42: A dining table set up for an event
Item 43: Unidentified African American men: Six men standing lined up in front of cars
Item 44: Squire Collins and others: A double exposure photo. Two unidentified white men standing next to a car. Squire Collins can be seen standing "in" the car
Item 45: Unidentified African American woman: A lady mixing a drink in her kitchen
Item 46: Unidentified African American woman: A lady standing on a porch
Item 47: Unidentified African American people: "Benie" and an unidentified African American man standing in a yard. The man is sweeping or raking
Item 48: Squire Collins and others, 1959-08: Squire Collins and two unidentified African American men, sitting on a couch. There is a date on the picture, August 1959
Item 49: Unidentified African American people: A lady dancing with a small boy in a living room. There is another unidentified lady walking through the room
Item 50: Unidentified African American man, 1957-06: Man with a bird on his shoulder. Picture dated June 1957
Item 51: School photo: School photo of an unidentified African American girl
Item 52: Unidentified couple: An unidentified white couple sitting in front of a piano
Item 53: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and three unidentified African American people sitting on a couch
Item 54: Unidentified African American people, 1959-08: Three people. An older lady has her arms around a man. A young girl sitting in a chair. Photo dated August 1959
Item 55: Unidentified African American women: Two ladies standing in front of a fireplace.
Item 56: Unidentified people: Three people seated at a table. The photo is blurred
Item 57: Unidentified African American couple: A couple standing in a living room. The man is holding a pipe
Item 58: Unidentified African American couple: A couple standing on a sidewalk. The lady is wearing a floral dress
Item 59: Unidentified African American man: A man standing outside on a tree log
Item 60: Unidentified African American man: A man standing outside in front of a large bush
Item 61: Bill Joe Mason, 1949-08-06: Campaign card for Bill Joe Mason for Chief of Police, dated August 6, 1949; Physical Description: Campaign card
Item 62: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and an unidentified African American woman, standing in front of a car/hearse
Item 63: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and an unidentified African American man, standing in front of a building. An elderly African American woman and young girl can be seen sitting on a porch behind them.
Item 64: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and four unidentified African American women, standing in front of a car.
Item 65: Squire Collins and others: Squire Collins and three unidentified African American people standing outside at High Bridge Pavillion Drive-In
Item 66: A man and a dog, playing in a yard.
Item 67: Unidentified African American couple: A couple in Tijuana, Mexico, sitting on a donkey cart. They are wearing sombrerros and sashes.; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 68: Unidentified African American children: Three children sitting in a living room
Item 69: Unidentified African American children: Four children standing outside in a group. One boy and three girls
Item 70: Unidentified African American people: Man and four toddlers, standing outside in a field. Three cars can be seen in the background.
Item 71: Unidentified African American people: Two girls standing together outside. Two cars can be seen.
Item 72: School photo: Girl is wearing a red jacket over a white collared shirt.
Item 73: Unidentified African American people: Four boys and one girl(?) standing outside next to a fence
Item 74: School photo: A girl with curly hair, wearing a bird shirt
Item 75: Ronald Grayland Berry: School picture
Item 76: Unidentified African American baby: Baby picture of a child, aged 6 months
Item 77: James Darrell Edward Steele: Baby picture of James Darrell Edward Steele
Item 78: Unidentified African American girl: Baby picture of a girl in a pink dress
Item 79: Unidentified African American girl: A little girl playing with a clothes iron and ironing board, in a living room
Item 80: Unidentified African American baby: A baby photo of a baby, dressed in white, sitting on a chair
Item 81: Unidentified African American man: A man seated in a chair, holding a book.; Physical Description: real photo postcard
Item 82: Unidentified football player: Heavily faded photo of a football player. The picture is signed, "From Clyde to Albirda, best wishes"
Item 83: Unidentified African American woman: A woman. Photo is cropped and preserved in laminated sleeve.
Item 84: Squire Collins: Squire Collins standing on a boat/ferry. 5x7
Item 85: Unidentified party: A group picture of children sitting on the floor. There are several parents seated in chairs. Balloons in the background and a pile of presents
Item 86: Squire Collins with others: A young Squire Collins seated at a table with an unidentified White Male. There is a unidentified White woman and boy seated at the next table.
Item 87: Collins Mortuary: The exterior of Collins Funeral Home. The is an elderly African American man standing out front.
Item 88: Squire Collins: An unidentified elderly African American man (maybe Squire Collins), standing in front of a casket and flowers
Item 89: Squire Collins: An unidentified elderly African American man (maybe Squire Collins), standing next to an empty casket
Item 90: Unidentified African American people: A large group of African American men, women, and children, standing outside in a yard
Item 91: Unidentified African American people: A large group of African American men and women, posing for a group photo at a dinner party. The photo was signed, "Love to our life long friends, John and Lill
Item 92: Funeral Directors Convention: A group photo of the eleventh annual convention of the Independent National Funeral Directors Association. Photo has been cut in half into two pieces.
Item 93: Funeral Directors Convention: A group photo of a Funeral Directors meeting or convention, outside of the Central Louisville Health Center
Item 94: Squire Collins and a woman: Squire Collins seated with his arm around his wife? On a couch
Item 95: Squire Collins: An elderly Squire Collins seated in front of a typewriter.
Item 96: Squire Collins: An elderly Squire Collins pictured holding a certificate of Recognition
Item 97: Unidentified African American people: Four people, standing in front of portrait, in the Nation's Capitol
Item 98: Unidentified African American woman: A potrait of a woman, with straight hair, wearing black.

Folder 5: News Clippings

Item 1: Newsclippings, 1963-10-17: Newspaper clipping of a photo after a dinner following a board meeting of the Kentucky Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. Dated October 17, 1963
Item 2: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of a group photo of the board members of the Kentucky Funeral Directors and Morticians Association
Item 3: Newsclippings: Richmond Daily Register clipping of a photo of Squire Collins and members of the Richmond Fraternal Order of Police, Harry Rogers and Jack Dunbar, and George Brooks
Item 4: Newsclippings, 1967-01-10: Richmond Daily Register clipping of a photo of Squire Collins and the new members of the Richmond Fraternal Order of Police dated January 10, 1967
Item 5: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of the death announcement of a Mrs. Bessie Blanche Black
Item 6: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of the death announcement of a Mrs. Katherine Head
Item 7: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of a photo of a Mrs. Thomas K. Robb and her son Jacob Robb, boarding a plane
Item 8: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of a obituary of a Mr. Reed (damaged)
Item 9: Newsclippings, 1962: Newspaper clipping of a death announcement of Mark Dee Anthony from 1962
Item 10: Newsclippings, 1967-03-28: Newspaper clipping of a death announcement of Dan Walker. Dated March 28, 1967
Item 11: Newsclippings: Newspaper photo of Squire Collins and group of men with shovels at a ground-breaking event
Item 12: Newsclippings, 1959-08-05: Newspaper clipping of an article about a church fire. First Christian Church of Richmond, dated August 5, 1959
Item 13: Newsclippings: Newspaper clipping of an article about a murder of William Leace
Item 14: Newsclippings: Several small clippings of newspaper clippings about local deaths and local organizations

Folder 6: News Clippings

Item 1: Newsclippings: Various newspaper clippings of death & wedding notices, articles about Squire Collins' time as a funeral director, ads, etc.

Folder 7: Ephemera

Item 1: Ephemera: Thank you cards. Birthday cards. Father's Day cards. Funeral programs. Congratulatory cards.

Folder 8: Correspondence and Documents

Item 1: Papers: Appreciation and Congratulatory letters. Certificates and papers. Date range 1955 to 1981.

Folder OS 1

Barcode: 31234014262792

Item 1: Newspaper, 1933-09-03: Oversized The Richmond Enquirer from September 3, 1933
Item 2: Scrapbook pages: Oversized scrapbook pages with newspaper clippings of various death annoucements
Item 3: Newspaper, 1973-09-19: Oversized Madison County Newsweek from September 19, 1973
Item 4: Newspaper, 1969-09-27: Article about the tearing down of Gibson Hospital. Page of Notes and Notices from the community

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