Mission & History

The Mayme Agnew Clayton Collection of African American History & Culture is maintained by the Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum (MCLM), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public interest organization.  MCLM's primary objective is to share the collection enthusiastically with all people as a cultural compass to a more complete understanding of American history.

The Clayton Collection is the largest and most academically substantial independently held assemblage of its kind in the world.  It is second in size and scholarly scope to the renowned Schomburg Collection in the New York City Public Library.

The collection was assembled over a 40-year period by Mayme Agnew Clayton, Ph.D., (1923 - 2006), a career university librarian and a collector of great brilliance.  Dr. Clayton’s singular commitment to preserve African American culture and history was inspired by her desire to ensure that children would know the richness and diversity of African American contributions to American and the world.

The Mayme Agnew Clayton Collection of African American History & Culture is comprised of seven main components.  They are as follows:  rare and out-of-print books, manuscripts, documents, films, music, photographs and memorabilia. 

Mission & History