February brought new archival collections and multimedia highlights to JSTOR. In honor of Black History Month, we also highlighted stories of activism, resilience, and creative expression. Let’s take a look at the month’s highlights.

Reveal Digital: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movements

A black-and-white photograph of six African American women standing on a train platform in front of a railcar, with one woman leaning out of the train doorway. A sign on the train reads: “National Association of Colored Women Enroute Convention Los Angeles.” The women are dressed in formal attire, wearing suits, dresses, and hats, and carrying handbags. The image, taken between 1948-1952, captures a moment from the NACW’s journey to their convention.

National Association of Colored Women Photo Album, 1948-1952. Bowling Green State University. Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movements. Reveal Digital.

For Black History Month, we spotlighted Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movements, an open access collection from Reveal Digital. This collection brings forward the voices of everyday activists through letters, meeting notes, and demonstration plans—offering insight into the grassroots efforts that powered social change.

One particularly notable addition is the Ella P. Stewart Scrapbooks, which document the life and work of Ella P. Stewart, one of the first Black female pharmacists in the United States and a leader in the early civil rights movement. Stewart’s Toledo, Ohio pharmacy became a gathering place and haven for the Black community. Her legacy is explored in a new JSTOR Daily article that delves into her activism and the impact of her work.

Explore the full collection.

Shared collections: Exploring science, history, and everyday life

A nighttime photograph of the Juno II rocket launch by NASA. The rocket stands vertically, illuminated by flames and smoke at its base as it lifts off the ground. The NASA logo is visible on the rocket's body, and the dark sky forms the background.
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Juno II Launch. n.d. William August Schulze Collection. The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
A black-and-white photograph of a woman seated in a wooden chair, reading a book next to an ornate cast-iron wood stove. She wears a dark dress with a white collar, and her hair is styled in a short, wavy bob. The background features a curtain and part of a table with a white cloth. The stove has intricate detailing with decorative patterns and a polished surface. The image conveys a quiet, intimate moment of reading and warmth.
Thomas Brook, A Woman Reading, Sitting Next to a Wood Stove, 1870/1960. Montana State University.
A vintage carte de visite featuring seven portraits of Union generals from the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. The photographs are arranged in an ornate layout with scalloped borders. The generals are identified as A.E. Burnside, G.K. Warren, G.G. Meade, H.G. Wright, W.S. Hancock, and "Baldy" Smith. The words "Army of the Potomac" are written in decorative script. The sepia-toned image is from the Norwich University Archives.
E. & H.T. Anthony (Firm). Army of the Potomac. Norwich University Archives, 1861–1865.

William August Schulze Collection – The University of Alabama in Huntsville

This collection from The University of Alabama in Huntsville follows the career of William August Schulze, an engineer and guided missile expert who contributed to WWII efforts at Peenemünde before working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. His contributions to propulsion and vehicle engineering helped shape space exploration.

View the collection.

Thomas Brook Photographs – Montana State University-Bozeman

Spanning the late 19th to mid-20th century, this collection from Montana State University captures the landscapes, ranch life, and community life of southwest Montana. These images document a rapidly changing region through the lens of local photographer Thomas Brook.

Explore the collection.

Norwich University Digital Photographic Collection

A striking carte de visite of Union generals from the Army of the Potomac is just one highlight from Norwich University’s collection of photography. These rare photographs bring to life key figures and moments from the war.

Discover the collection.

Audiovisual archives: preserving voices and stories

This month, JSTOR featured two powerful audio and video projects that highlight artistic and cultural legacies.

To Be Aware: Daniel Minter on displacement, diaspora, and Black artistic legacy

In an insightful interview shared by Lights Out Gallery and Colby College, artist Daniel Minter explores themes of memory, resilience, and Black identity. His work underscores the role of art in preserving history.

African Rhythms with NEA Jazz Master Randy Weston and Willard Jenkins

This discussion shared by the University of the District of Columbia, Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives explores jazz’s deep ties to African musical traditions and Weston’s efforts to reclaim jazz as a diasporic art form.

Learn more about JSTOR’s audiovisual preservation efforts.

February’s collections offer deeper insight into the past while ensuring these stories remain accessible for the future. Stay tuned for more in March as we continue exploring history, music, culture, and more on JSTOR!

About the author

Maria Papadouris is a Content and Community Engagement Manager at ITHAKA, where she works on bringing the JSTOR community together under the common goal of championing access to knowledge (and having a fun time doing it!). A first-generation Greek American and first-generation college student, Maria studied political science and creative writing, bringing an interdisciplinary approach to issues in the humanities. She is also looking to pursue graduate studies in English literature.