Array of Talent for Aid Society Concert

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, September 25, 1926:  The sixth annual concert of the Educational Aid Society for Colored Orphans will take place at Shortridge High School’s Caleb Mills Hall Tuesday evening.  An “All Hoosier Cast” of more than forty musicians of exceptional ability include 150 singers representing the colored schools that will be the background for the community sing of patriotic tunes.  Among the ensembles performing are the Mt. Paran female quartet singing negro spirituals, the Mitchell chorus, and the Y.W.C.A. quintette.  Several individual piano numbers will be given along with vocal soloists.  The Educational Aid Society was organized to meet the problem of the institutional children when they leave the Colored Orphans’ Home by providing scholarships.  While the benefit concert raises $1,200 (2025:  $22,288) annually, churches, lodges, clubs and white and colored citizens contribute annually to the Society.

“Array of Talent for Aid Society Concert,” The Indianapolis News, 25 September 1926, p. 47:6

Pageant Expected to Attract Large Crowd

From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, May 8, 1926:  “Ethiopia at the Bar of Justice,” a pageant depicting the achievement of Negroes, will be presented at Caleb Mills Hall on Thursday.  A large audience is expected to see 150 performers portray a cross section of Negro life in America with emphasis on the difficulties in the struggle to reach citizenship.  The principal characters are Ethiopia, Opposition, Justice, Miss Indianapolis, Prophecy, Love, History, and Mercy.  One of the most interesting features will be impersonations of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington.  The colored Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A., the Indianapolis N.A.A.C.P. chapter, the National Federation of Club Women, and the National Musicians Association will be part of the production.   The performance benefits the Elizabeth Carter Council of Federated Clubs which is raising funds for the Frederick Douglass Home, a colored women of America shrine.

“Pageant Expected to Attract Large Crowd,” The Indianapolis News, 8 May 1926, p. 43:6

Board Accepts 2,500 Capacity on 34th Street

From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, May 1, 1926:  The Indianapolis school board, in special session yesterday afternoon, voted 3 to 2 to build the new Shortridge High School at 34^th and Meridian Streets.  While a board majority had favored a 46^th St and Washington Blvd site, board president Theodore Vonnegut said it was useless to continue to oppose the 34^th St location and he was surrendering to public opinion.  “The people want the school at 34^th Street,” Vonnegut said.  “I think it’s a mistake, but the whole town is tired of this subject and so am I.  Public opinion unquestionably favors the 34^th Street location, and it is not for me to say how I think the people will feel later.  This site has many disadvantages which have been outlined before and in voting for it I surrender an ideal”  

“Board Accepts 2,500 Capacity on 34^th Street,” The Indianapolis Star, 1 May 1926, p. 1:8