Holzman
47 Haycroft Lane
Roslyn Heights, N.Y.

May 28, 1956

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 Street
New York 35, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

I am writing to you on behalf of the North Shore
Community Art Center, a non-profit organization
devoted to the task of culturally enriching our
community - the North Shore of Long Island.

One of our many functions in this vein is to have
leading figures in the art world come to our
Center, of an evening, to lecture or read or per-
form.

Recently we were fortunate in having Mr. John
Killens speak. As a member of the Program Com-
mittee, it was my duty to contact Mr. Killens and
make the complete arrangements.

In passing conversation, Mr. Killens suggested that
you might be available for just such an evening.
Since we are now scheduling our evenings for the
1956-1957 season, I would like to speak to you
further of this by telephone.

I can be reached in New York City, during working
hours, at PLaza 7-1237, or in the evening at
ROslyn 3-4472. If you prefer, drop me a line
with your telephone number and I will be happy to
call you.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

THE NORTH SHORE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

WINNETKA, ILLINOIS

PERRY DUNLAP SMITH
HEADMASTER

April 27, 1949

Mr. Langston Hughes
c/o University High School
The University of Chicago
Chicago 37, Illinois

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Not so long ago I got a letter from Fred Wale in which he says that you were very much interested to hear of things that have happened at The North Shore Country Day School following the unfortunate episode of a little more than a year ago. I am prompted by this news to send on to you more evidence that the cancellation of your lecture is not a dead issue and was not a thing easily acceptable to most of the school community.

The anniversary of the cancellation fell this year during a period when the faculty was very much involved in discussion about the Broyles bills in the Illinois legislature. That this discussion and the anniversary coincided was noted by several members of the faculty, and the coincidence did much to strengthen the feeling that we must operate as a faculty to defeat those bills.

I am enclosing a clipping from our school newspaper which speaks for itself. The editorial was written by a student and was in no way inspired by members of the faculty.

At graduation time the parents of the senior class customarily produce a half hour skit lampooning the experiences of their children in the school. In this year's script appears a poet carrying a large red book, who asks to be heard, and whose pleas fall on deaf ears. Also appears in the script a man marked as the headmaster of the school, Mr. Smith, who pleads with boys to listen to him tell of his experiences playing football under Percy Haughton at Harvard. On the poet's third entrance, the headmaster takes him by the arm and they leave the stage together with the headmaster's line, "Nobody will listen to me, either".

And, as one more bit of gossip, you would perhaps like to know that one of our graduates who is now at Oberlin College is quite proud of a recent musical exercise. This is a job he did in writing in *model* form some music for your poem, "Brass Spittoons". I have heard him play and sing this, and while it is by no means a finished job, it does seem to me to be an interesting interpretation

Northern Floral Art Center

CARNEGIE HALL - 154 WEST 57th STREET
SUITE 832
NEW YORK 19, N. Y.

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Mr. Langtson Hughs
20 East 127th Street
New York

March 13, 1955

Mr. Chauncey Northern,
Carnegie Hall,
New York.

Dear Mr. Northern,

I am very sorry I did not
get to the play at the
last night. I had hoped

to be there, and it was very kind of you to send
me a ticket, but something came up that kept me
from coming. I've been very busy lately compiling
an anthology of African short stories by contemporary
writers of color in the English speaking countries,
and also trying to meet an April 1st deadline on a
childrens book, so I've been going out as little as
possible.

On April 14, 15, and 17 at Carnegie Hall the New
York Philharmonic is doing the world premiere of
my Jan Meyerowitz cantata of Easter, "The Glory
Around His Head" a copy of which I am sending you.
The Westminster Choir is singing it.

With all good wishes to you, as ever

Northern Vocal Art Center

ESTABLISHED 1922

CARNEGIE HALL ■ 154 WEST 57th STREET ■ SUITE 832 ■ NEW YORK 19, N. Y.

CHAUNCEY NORTHERN
Director

SARAH FREEMAN
Secretary

March 19th.

1955

20 East 127th St.
New York N.Y.

Dear Langston Hughes,

I received your cantata, "The Glory Around His Head." I have gone through it and feel that it is wonderful. Thank you for sending it. I have a group and I am sure we will begin working on it after we finish the Operetta (O. Haro San) which we hope to give in the early spring. I shall be at one of the performances with a group of my students.

I have four students who study dramatics with me. They all are deeply interested in your poems and use them on their programs. I wonder if sometimes you could autograph one of your books for them. They have your works. I could arrange to get them to you whenever you can find the time. I know it would have to be after your deadline. Perhaps the last of April.

The play, "Slave Hunter" was good. There was a guest I invited, Dr. and Mrs. Charles L. Tarter of Paterson N.J. He has recently published a book titled, "Family of Destiny". He said he met you while at Oberland. You came to read. He also used your poems in your mother's church. He knows your mother. He asked to be remembered to you. Perhaps you won't remember him. If you can steal away Sunday Eve. the 27th of this month he is speaking at my studio around 9:30 PM. I should like to introduce you and speak about your cantata. I shall understand if you can't make it. I should like also at some future time to have you as guest for one of the Art hours which are held every fourth Sunday in the each month. Admission is by invitation only. Thanks again for the though of sending me the music.

April 1, 1955

Dear Chauncey Northern:

It was so kind of you to send me a ticket
for Mr. Tartar's appearance, but I am so
bogged down with a deadline on a book
that is due to be published this fall and
therefore has to be turned in this spring,
that I can hardly go around the corner
let alone downtown. But I would of course
be happy to autograph any books for your
students if they would care to mail them
to me or have someone drop by some late
afternoon between 5 and 6 with them for
a few minutes.

I certainly would be happy to ready some
of my poems at one of your Sunday Evening
Hours sometime in the fall or winter. By
that time I certainly have to have my life
story completed.

With best regards to you,

Mr. Chauncey Northern
154 W. 57 St.
New York 19, N. Y.

Northern Voral Art Center

ESTAÇÕNED 1922

CHAUNCEY NORTHERN
Director

SARAH FREEMAN
Secretary

September 28, 1955

Dear Langston Hughes,

I received the list of names to
receive invitations for the 9:15 Art Hour for
the fourth Sunday evening in November. I shall
be happy to mail them out. I want to say thank
you for coming to us. I also received the book
from Dodd and Meade. I have enjoyed every line
and am mentioning it to many of my friends whom
I am sure will buy the book. I am also esking my
students in my school to buy it. They are giving
me their names for the book. I shall have them
for you to autograph on the evening of the 27th.

I sent my comments on the book to
your publishers a week ago. I shall mail them an
invitation for the Art Hour. If you think of more
names you would like to be notified, please send
them along. I shall be in touch with you shortly.

N E S — Northern Educational Service

372 Worthington Street

781-2712

Springfield, Mass.

June 7, 1966

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

My name is Andrew Griffin, Associate Director of
Northern Educational Service. This summer we are conducting
a tutorial and cultural enrichment program which theme is
- The Negro in America - Each area of the program will en-
lighten the students and teachers about the contributions of
Negro.

Bob suggested that I write to you in hopes of getting
books and other types of literature that we might use for our
program. We will certainly appreciate any cooperation that
you could give to make our program more successful.

Northern Educational Service, Inc.

31 Westminister St.

Tel. 733-2238

Springfield, Mass. 01109

October 24, 1966

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th. Street
New York, N. Y. 10035

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The Center Coordinator at the Hancock Street Center asked me to write you concerning the possible acquisition of copies of plays and poetry dealing with Negro History and culture which you may have on hand.

We are interested in beginning a Negro History course at the center and any materials you could supply us with would be greatly appreciated.

Many of our students have read some of your works and have found them to be most rewarding. Also, channel 24, our educational T.V. station has carried a couple of plays written by you which our students found delightful.

Any cooperation you can give us in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

EHG:rjm

NORTHERN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE, Springfield, Mass. FAMOUS NEGRO AMERICANS, MUSIC MAKERS, HEROES, 1st BOOK AFRICA, POEMS FROM BLACK AFRICA, BEST S.

January 3, 1967

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The Springfield Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is conducting a fund raising campaign to open a desperately needed office.

Mr. Robert Hughes, Mrs. Esther Thompson and myself, Andrew Griffin, have been charged with the duties of acquiring space and a program so that this problem may be resolved.

I am the Associate Director of the Northern Educational Service under the leadership of your nephew Bob. I and the committee could think of nothing better but to have you come and speak. Since the big Civil Rights push, Springfield has been trying to get involved so that they can say "We are trying too." Many people have visited Springfield discussing "the problem;" however, no one of your stature - Black or White has come. We would be especially honored to have you come to Springfield and speak. The topic would be left open to you. Many of the children at NES would be especially thrilled because they are presently reading your works.

We would like you to choose a weekend date in the latter part of the month of February if it would meet with your appointment calendar.

Happy New Year - hoping to hear from you real soon.

AHG:rj

January 5, 1967

Dear Mr. Griffin:

I very much appreciate your kind invitation to come to Springfield for a program in February, but I regret that I cannot accept. I was away in Africa and Europe for several months in 1966 and got so far behind with my literary commitments that I cannot take any more speaking engagements at all this season. I must stick to my typewriter to complete overdue book contracts and urgent Spring deadlines. But I am grateful to both organizations for having been invited.

Please give my very best regards to
Bob Hughes.

With cordial regards and Happy New Year greetings,

Wilberforce State College
Wilberforce, Ohio

November 9, 1948

Dear Mr. Hughes:

I am majoring in Speech and Dramatics at this
college, and am writing you at the suggestion of Mr.
Archer, departmental head of that division.

Not long ago, I heard Paul Robeson's recording
of your "Freedom Train," and I was greatly impressed
by it. I have been asked to give a reading in Detroit
on Thanksgiving Day, and I think "Freedom Train" would
be very moving--and very appropriate.

I would appreciate it very much if you would send
me a copy of "Freedom Train," and--for sentimental
reasons--personally autograph it for me.

March 10, 1947

Mr. Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York. N.Y.

My dear Mr. Hughes;

The Norwegian-American Labor Society, IWO Lodge 591 is planning an evening during April, the 4th, 11th or 18th, a Friday evening at which we would like to have you speak and read some of your stirring poems.

We have over 30,000 Norwegian-Americans in the community of Bay Ridge, a great majority of whom are hungry for good literature and art. Further, some of us have had the pleasure of hearing you, and we are sure it would be of great value if you would consent to give us a few hours of your valuable time.

Will you please reply as soon as possible, giving particulars such as: first, if you will consent to come to Bay Ridge, second, amount of the fee if any, etc. We want to proceed with arrangements and can guarantee a real good audience. If you will come, we can talk over the details later.

Trusting to hear from you, and thanking
you in advance,

Norwegian-American Labor Society, IWO
c/o Olaf Kulin, 463 - 56th Street,
Brooklyn, New York.

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Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

March 1, 1963

Dear Mr. Novik:

Thank you for your note, and best of luck with your essay. If you have an extra carbon (and like it well enough to let me read it) of course I would be delighted to know what you said.

Langston Hughes

1800 Bryant Avenue
Bronx 60, New York

May 21, 1960

Langston Hughes
c/o Alfred A. Knopf
501 Madison Avenue
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes,

It is with admiration that I write at this time.
I'm presently attending James Monroe High School in New
York City. I am writing a term research project and would
be deeply indebted to you if you might give your opinion
on the following questions:

1) What do you think has been the greatest achievement and contribution of the American Negro during the past sixty years?

2) Whom do you think has been the greatest Negro contributor to the American Heritage?

I would appreciate very much if you would reciprocate. This would help make my term project a successful one.

Thank-you!

May 27, 1960

Dear Miss Novedoff:

I do not think it possible to give one single accurate answer to either of your questions, since there have been many and varied useful contributions of both "the American Negro" and individual Negroes to American culture since Emancipation. But, with the above qualification, in answer to No. 1, I'd say:

The contribution to civil rights and civil liberties and strengthening of Constitutional concepts made by the Negroes continual struggle and by the legal victories won in housing, etc., which help ALL citizens, not just Negroes.

2. It is not possible to evaluate one distinguished contribution above another of a different category as "the greatest". But to name a few:

FREDERICK DOUGLASS---abolitionist

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON---industrial educator

DR. CHARLES DREW---pioneer in blood bank

DR. RALPH BUNCH---United Nations

MARION ANDERSON---singer

LOUIS ARMSTRONG---jazz musician

DUKE ELLINGTON---composer

and dogens more in various fields, each in his or her way equally "great."

Best of luck with your project.

Sincerely,