We need your help to complete processing The Metcalfe Collection. Congressman Ralph Metcalfe left about 400 cartons of archives containing uniquely important documents, photographs, newspaper clippings and memorabilia from his work in athletics and public service.
    Leading institutions interested in The Metcalfe Collection include:

Library of Congress
Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles
Brookings Instituttion
Chicago History Museum
Emory University
Hoover Institute on War, Revolution and Peace
Illinois National Guard Museum
Marquette University
Milwaukee Public Museum
Moorland-Spingarn Research Institute, Howard University
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection in African American History and Literature at the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library
and eight halls of fame

    Archival processing is backed up at all of the above. When we donate, research access will be lost for years. To determine the appropriate placement for the various components of the collection and to aid institution in identifying what they would like to have, we need to complete initial processing including the generation of a comprehensive catalog. Digitization will allow broad dissemination of the materials. Work continues every day.

        Our goal is to establish physical and intellectual control of the archives to make them available for public research and display. Without your support, future generations will have little awareness of Ralph's place in history.

        Ralph started working at the age of eight to help his family survive. His track career took place during the Great Depression, yet he managed to work his way through college and travel extensively for track meets. Please keep his example in mind his example in mind when contemplating the size of your gift. Current economic conditions and the fact that our needs do not fit most foundation guidelines leave us dependent upon you

        Your tax deductible donation will serve to support The Metcalfe Collection in it's efforts to render the Congressman's archives physically and intellectually accessible for the benefit of the world at large. Won't you please make a generous contribution today? Thank you in advance.

3 Levels of Need

1. Annual Operating Expenses (Fixed Costs)         $7,700.

2. Fragile Media Preservation    (URGENT!)          $22,200.

3. Sponsorship                                                       to greatly increase the speed of work