A vast collection of historic photographs taken by Richard Samuel Roberts, portraying Black families and communities in Columbia, South Carolina, has been digitized and made freely accessible online. These images offer a rich glimpse into lives once overlooked or forgotten in mainstream history.
- 6,000 digitized portraits showcasing Black life in early 20th-century Columbia
- Photos reflect how the community wanted to be seen and remembered
- University-led efforts preserved and shared the collection online
What happened
Photographer Richard Samuel Roberts, who worked as a U.S. Post Office custodian by day and photographer by night, captured nearly 6,000 images of Black individuals and families in Columbia, South Carolina. His studio, located in a working-class Black neighborhood, became a creative hub where he used glass plate negatives and custom lighting equipment to craft portraits that documented a vibrant community.
After the negatives were stored in the Roberts family home for decades, university archivists and photography experts recovered and preserved them starting in the 1970s. The University of South Carolina acquired the collection in 2020, and in 2024 a digitization project was completed, making this invaluable glimpse into Black history freely available online for the first time.
Why it feels good
This collection challenges narrow historical narratives by presenting African Americans as they wished to be seen—whole, dignified, and diverse. Viewers can encounter Black families, community leaders, workers, and children in moments of everyday life as well as dignity-filled milestone events, restoring visibility to histories often marginalized or erased.
Historians and the community alike recognize the power of these images to evoke memories and stir engagement. The photos serve as a bridge to personal and collective histories, encouraging people to connect, identify familiar faces, and preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.
What to enjoy or watch next
Explore the digitized Roberts collection online to see portraits ranging from nurses and civil rights figures to local magicians and socialites, all captured in early 20th-century Columbia. The collection continues to evolve as the public helps identify individuals and share stories sparked by the images.
For those interested in exploring Black history further, related exhibitions and programs at the University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research provide additional resources and context. Engaging with these photographs is a rewarding way to celebrate rich community heritage and deepen understanding of the past.