Baylor University's Black Gospel Archive has amassed over 60,000 gospel songs, making it one of the world's largest collections of its kind. Focusing on the golden era of gospel music (1945-1980), the archive preserves not just music but also artifacts like sermons and announcements, enriching the understanding of Black Gospel culture. A recent grant has enabled it to expand further by including oral histories of individuals from that era. Historian Bob Darden emphasizes the significance of this collection as a vital record of a pivotal time in American history, particularly during civil rights movements.
The collection of over 60,000 gospel songs at Baylor University’s Black Gospel Archive is a monumental preservation of culture from the golden era of gospel music.
Gospel historian Bob Darden highlights the archive's role in preserving Black Gospel music as a crucial legacy representing a powerful form of protest during civil rights.
The Lilly Endowment grant will allow the archive to expand its collection by capturing the oral histories of individuals who experienced gospel music’s golden age.
The archive aims to fill gaps in the history of gospel records by gathering insights from those who lived through its impactful era.
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