ADVERTISEMENT

Imagine a powerful statement of resilience and achievement displayed on the world stage in 1900. That's exactly what W.E.B. Du Bois and Thomas J. Calloway created for the Paris Exposition, showcasing the vibrant lives and accomplishments of African Americans a generation removed from slavery. These 34 remarkable photographs are just a portion of the groundbreaking exhibit that aimed to document the history, present condition, education, and literature of Black Americans. Sourced from institutions like Hampton and Tuskegee, as well as prominent Black leaders, these images offer a compelling counter-narrative to the racist stereotypes prevalent at the time. Prepare to be moved by these glimpses into a community striving for progress, education, and self-determination against incredible odds.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

A Man Giving Piano Lesson To A Young Girl

African American man watching young girl play piano in an elegant room, capturing African American life in 1900 Paris.

Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

Final score:
13points
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Sisters Of The Holy Family, New Orleans, La

    Group portrait of African American nuns dressed in religious habits, representing African American life in 1900.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    12points
    POST
    #3

    The Only Store In The Us Serving Exclusively African Americans, At 2933 State St., Chicago, Ill

    Three African American men standing outside an electrician and locksmith shop in early 1900s urban setting.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    #4

    Howard Univ., Washington, D.c., Ca. 1900 - Class Picture

    Group of well-dressed African American men posing outdoors, capturing African American life at 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Men And Boys Dressed For Church

    Group of African American men and boys in early 1900s clothing, capturing African American life at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Practice School At Howard Univ., Wash., D.c

    Group of African American children in early 1900s clothing standing outside a large building, captured at the Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    10points
    POST
    fredneobob90 avatar
    Huddo's sister
    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is practice school. Is it practice for being servants? Only wondering that because of the poses.

    0
    0points
    reply
    View more comments
    #7

    Sgt. Alexander Kelly, Head-And-Shoulders Portrait

    Portrait of an African American man with a large beard, representing African American life from the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    9points
    POST
    #8

    Claflin Univ., Orangeburg, S.c. Ca. 1900

    African American brass band members posing with instruments at the 1900 Paris Exposition capturing life moments.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    9points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Young Man, Half-Length Portrait

    African American man in formal 1900 Paris Exposition attire posing for a portrait, capturing African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Young Woman, Half-Length Portrait

    African American woman in early 1900s attire with feathered hat and fur collar, capturing African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt)Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    #11

    Half-Length Portrait Of A Woman

    Portrait of a woman in early 1900s attire, representing life captured at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    #12

    Junior Normal Class Of Fisk University, Nashville

    Group of African American women dressed in 1900s attire sitting on steps, capturing African American life history.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Howard Univ., Washington, D.c., Ca. 1900 - Sewing Class

    African American women sewing and learning in a classroom setting, showcasing African American life at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Dentistry At Howard University, Washington, D.c., Ca. 1900

    Barbers attending to clients in a vintage salon scene capturing African American life from the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    #15

    Simpson Industrial Home Of Claflin University, Orangeburg, S.c

    Group of African American women posing on a porch, showcasing life and fashion in early 1900s historical photos.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    #16

    Group Of Children From The Model School, Fisk University, Nashville Tenn

    Group of African American children holding hands in a circle outdoors during the 1900 Paris Exposition capturing life moments.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Women Holding Umbrellas

    Group of African American women and men from 1900 Paris Exposition standing outdoors with umbrellas and vintage clothing.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    A Family Posed For Portrait Seated On Lawn

    African American family dressed in early 1900s attire sitting outdoors, capturing a moment of African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    #19

    Two Girls Sitting On A Porch

    Two young girls in white dresses sitting on a wooden porch, historical African American life at 1900 Paris Exposition photo.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    ceecee_2 avatar
    Cee Cee
    Cee Cee
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where's that dog going,?

    0
    0points
    reply
    #20

    Cutting And Fitting

    African American women sewing and fitting dresses in a classroom setting capturing African American life in 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #21

    Roger Williams University--Nashville, Tenn.--Class Photo

    Group of African American men and women dressed in formal attire, captured during the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

    Interior View Of "Dr. Mcdougald's Store"

    African American life captured in a 1900 Paris Exposition photo showing people inside a vintage store setting.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    #23

    A Boy, Full-Length Portrait

    Young African American boy in a suit posing indoors, captured in early 1900s photo highlighting African American life.

    Askew, Thomas E./Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    S.j. Gilpin Shoe Store, Richmond, Virginia

    African American men standing outside a small store in early 1900s, capturing African American life history.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    #25

    Composing Room Of The Planet Newspaper, Richmond, Virginia

    Three African American men in vests working with printing blocks inside a room in early 1900s Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Officers Of Tobacco Trade Union, Petersburg, Va

    Group of African American men and a woman dressed formally in late 19th century attire, capturing African American life.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    A Boy, Three-Quarter-Length Portrait

    Young African American boy dressed in formal attire, posing in an elegant setting at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    #28

    Wood Work Shop Of Claflin University, Orangeburg, S.c

    African American men working with industrial machinery in a 1900 Paris Exposition workshop capturing daily life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    #29

    Two African American Women, Half-Length Portrait, Facing Each Other

    Two African American women in elegant hats and period clothing at the 1900 Paris Exposition, capturing African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    5points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    A Woman, Half-Length Portrait

    African American woman in historic clothing portrait from 1900 Paris Exposition capturing African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    bodhisayumi avatar
    bodhisayumi
    bodhisayumi
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love how she looks like she's ready to crack up laughing. 😁

    1
    1point
    reply
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #31

    Howard Univ., Washington, D.c., Ca. 1900 - Class In Bacteriology Laboratory

    Early 1900s African American men working with microscopes in a laboratory, showcasing life at the Paris Exposition.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    bodhisayumi avatar
    bodhisayumi
    bodhisayumi
    Community Member
    6 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Finally working together. We need to bring this back again.

    1
    1point
    reply
    #32

    Bricklaying At Claflin University, Orangeburg, S.c

    African American men working on brick construction at the 1900 Paris Exposition, showcasing life and labor.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    #33

    Students And Teachers In Training School Of Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee

    African American students seated in a classroom with teachers, capturing African American life at the 1900 Paris Exposition.

    Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    A Man, Head-And-Shoulders Portrait

    Portrait of a young African American man in formal attire from 1900 Paris Exposition capturing African American life.

    Du Bois, W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!