Drawing from the resources of the Society and the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, this exhibit presents the variety of African-American-owned businesses that blossomed in Indianapolis following the Civil War. As the civil rights of black people grew, so did the number of black-owned businesses, from small "Mom & Pop" entities like barber shops and clothiers to larger enterprises like the Indianapolis Recorder newspaper and the famous Walker Building. African-American Businesses in Indianapolis, 1870-1970, shows that even major obstacles like segregation, racism, and discrimination could not quell the rising tide of entrepreneurialism in the black community.
Other Black History exhibits available from the Indiana Historical Society include:
Building on Faith and Caretakers of the Future.
IHS home page, the Education
Division, the Exhibition's Department, or the list of available exhibits.