Temple University launches project for public tours of the historic Pyramid Club, decades after its closure.

On a recent Wednesday, a selection of black-and-white photographs capturing the legacy of prominent figures in Black history, including Muhammad Ali, Billie Holiday, and W.E.B. Du Bois, were displayed at Temple University’s Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection. These photographs belong to a vast archive of approximately 300,000 negatives taken by esteemed mid-20th century photographer John W. Mosley. His work began at the original Pyramid Club, a pivotal social hub for influential Black males in Philadelphia, which operated from the late 1930s until the early 1960s.

Leslie Willis-Lowry, an associate archivist at the Blockson Collection, has dedicated significant time to digitize Mosley’s extensive portfolio, uploading these invaluable historical documents to a digital repository accessible on Temple University’s Library website. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve and promote Black history through the digital medium.

Simultaneously, Jasmine L. Clark, a digital librarian at Temple, is leveraging some of Mosley’s photographs to develop a prototype for Virtual Blockson. This innovative project aims to “gamify” the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection in a virtual reality format, enhancing the learning experience for students. The significant undertaking is financed through a 0,000 grant awarded to Temple by the Getty Foundation’s Black Visual Arts Archives program. This program seeks to empower library, museum, and university archivists by providing essential resources to digitize collections that center on Black history.

As federal funding diminishes for arts institutions, especially those emphasizing Black art and culture, the support from the Getty Foundation is seen as a beacon of hope for the continuity of such scholarship. The digitization of records documenting the narratives of Black Americans is crucial for community storytelling and scholarship; these records are often overlooked and under-resourced.

Mosley, born in 1907 and who passed away in 1969, was among the first Black photographers to gain national recognition, with his work featured in publications such as Ebony and Jet. His photography is celebrated for its ability to depict the richness of Black life, challenging prevailing stereotypes and illuminating joyful and authentic experiences within the community.

In 1988, Temple University received a substantial collection of Mosley’s prints and negatives from his widow, Teresa Mosley, a descendant of prominent abolitionist William Still. Despite the vastness of the collection, only about 2,000 of these images are currently available online. Most negatives remain organized in dozens of boxes labeled by themes such as politics, sports, and military events, emphasizing the depth and diversity of Mosley’s work.

Under Getty’s pilot funding initiative initiated two years ago, historians are now connecting contemporary students with Philadelphia’s rich history, particularly engaging younger generations in higher education through these archives. Clark’s Virtual Blockson not only rewards students for developing archival research skills but also introduces them to significant cultural milestones, such as the Pyramid Club, a venue that provided a rare platform for Black artists.

The culmination of this digital endeavor promises greater accessibility to these historical resources. The Virtual Blockson experience is anticipated to launch by mid-2026, aimed at easing the often intimidating process of navigating archives.

In a notable recent announcement, the Getty Foundation allocated .6 million in grants to 12 institutions, including Lincoln University, enabling them to begin digitizing their archival collections. This initiative signifies a vital step toward establishing a Black Arts archive and enhancing the visibility of invaluable historical documents. As described by Professor Michael K. Wilson, this effort underscores Lincoln University’s commitment to activating its collection, which dates back to its founding in 1854 as the nation’s first historically Black university.

Through these endeavors, the rich tapestry of Black history stands to become more visible and accessible to scholars, students, and the broader community.