UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Drawing upon the distinctive collections of Penn State University Libraries, an exhibition "Defining the New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance a Century Later" invites visitors to explore the works of featured Black authors and artists and their efforts to redefine Black identity, life and culture. Located next to the Paterno Reading Room, second floor Pattee Library on the University Park campus, the works on display include letters, first edition novels, anthologies, photographs, rare periodicals, and artwork that collectively reflect the various voices and perspectives that shaped the Harlem Renaissance. The exhibition will be on view until Apr. 7, 2025.

The Harlem Renaissance (1917–40) signaled a cultural and political rebirth for young Black artists and writers in the United States and across the diaspora. "Defining the New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance a Century Later" joins exhibitions mounted by cultural organizations like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in commemorating the Harlem Renaissance one hundred years later. Showcasing the literary, artistic and poetic contributions and innovation of Black creatives, this exhibition celebrates the history and legacy of an unforgettable cultural movement. Highlights on view include a letter from Langston Hughes, first editions by Zora Neal Hurston and Claude McKay, and artwork by Aaron Douglass.

The materials featured are largely drawn from the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African Americana and the African Diaspora. The Blockson Collection is located on the third Floor of Pattee Library and open by appointment for teaching and research. Contact the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at 104 Paterno Library or spcollections@psu.edu for more information.

A curator-led behind-the-scenes tour will be offered at 11-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, followed by a Blockson Collection open house from 11:30 tonoon. All are welcome to attend. Please meet at the exhibition, located outside the Paterno Reading Room on the second floor of Pattee library.

This exhibition is curated by Yolanda Mackey, a doctoral candidate in English and African American and Diaspora studies. It coincides with her doctoral research on the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Print Culture. At Penn State, Mackey is the co-project coordinator of the Black Women’s Organizing Archive housed in the Center for Black Digital Research. She is also a Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library Research Fellow at Yale University (2023–2024). 

Further questions and requests for class or public tours, including inquiries regarding accessibility accommodation, should be directed to Clara Drummond, lead curator and exhibitions coordinator, at cjd86@psu.edu.