Skip to content
Chronological Reasoning and Causation

The Little Harlem Hotel of Buffalo, NY: Juxtaposing 1930s History, Music, and Images

  1. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  2. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  3. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  4. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  5. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  6. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  7. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  8. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  9. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  10. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  11. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  12. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  13. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  14. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  15. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  16. Load 4th Anniversary: Montgomery's Hotel in Main Image Viewer
  17. Load Earl Hines in Main Image Viewer
  18. Load Edward Wilcox, James Crawford, Al Norris, and Mose Allen in Main Image Viewer
  19. Load Seventh Anniversary Advertisement Clipping in Main Image Viewer
  20. Load Jimmie Lunceford (James Melvin Lunceford) and his Orchestra in Main Image Viewer
  21. Load Little Harlem Professional Performance Shot in Main Image Viewer
  22. Load Little Harlem Band in Main Image Viewer
  23. Load Lil Armstrong and Little Harlem Musicians and Dancers in Main Image Viewer
  24. Load Little Harlemettes in Main Image Viewer
  25. Load Little Harlem Group Performance Shot in Main Image Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

 

Title: The Little Harlem Hotel of Buffalo, NY: Juxtaposing 1930s History, Music, and Images 

Overview: The Little Harlem Hotel was a landmark in Buffalo, NY. It was a safe haven for Black Americans to lodge, based on its listing in the The Negro Motorist Green Book, and as a popular venue on the "Chitlin' Circuit" with its cabaret style of entertainment. The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library has select artifacts available via its Digital Collections. However, the availability of images and information about the establishment is limited. 1930s history, music, and imagery will be used to fill in the gaps and create a more complete picture through juxtaposition. 

Goal: This lesson is intended to familiarize students with the digital collection of Ann Montgomery’s Little Harlem available via the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library as well as sharpen students' information literacy and analytical skills.

Objectives: Students will be able to:

  • make connections between the Cotton Club, Savoy Ballroom, and Little Harlem Hotel

  • recount the importance of The Little Harlem Hotel to the Black Buffalo Community

  • link the recount the history and significance of Analyze 1930s music and performances 

  • access and navigate the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library Digital Collections

  • analyze digitized images from Ann Montgomery’s Little Harlem digitized collection

  • recount the importance of The Negro Motorist Green Book for Black Americans 

Investigative (Compelling) Question: How did Little Harlem Hotel contribute to the society and unique culture of Buffalo, NY as well as provide refuge to Black Americans?

Time Required - 3 class periods 

Recommended Grade Range - 11th Grade

Subject: Library and Social Studies 

Standards: 

ISTE

 

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

1.3 Knowledge Constructor

Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

United States History and Government

11.7 PROSPERITY AND DEPRESSION (1920 – 1939)

The 1920s and 1930s were a time of cultural and economic changes in the nation. During this period, the nation faced significant domestic challenges, including the Great Depression.

 

9-12 Next Generation ELA Standards at a Glance

11-12R1: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences, including determining where the text is ambiguous; develop questions for deeper understanding and for further exploration.

 

1930s Songs

 

  • The Negro Motorist Green Book

  • The Green Book: A Historic Travel Guide for Black America, Part 1 https://youtu.be/t7_cy7uUcqk

  • The Negro Motorist Green Book of 1940 https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/dc858e50-83d3-0132-2266-58d385a7b928

     

     

    PROCEDURE

    Day 1: 1930s Club History and Music 

  • Students view the videos on The Cotton Club, The Savoy Ballroom, and Little Harlem Hotel as a class. Students will answer comprehension questions on the 1930s Club History Analysis Worksheet

  • Students will view and/or listen to all ten (10) songs as a class and complete the 1930s Song Analysis Worksheet as we go through each song. This may require more time, so it can roll into Day 2. 

  • Students will be split into even groups to discuss the 1930s club history and songs.

  • The class will convene to share out. 

 

  • Day 2: Little Harlem Images 

  • The librarian will instruct students how to access and navigate Ann Montgomery’s Little Harlem digital collection. 

  • Students will go back into their groups to analyze all of the images listed under Resources. Each student should record the group’s responses on their own paper or digital copy.

  • The class will convene to share out. 

 

  • Day 3: Segregation in 1930s

  • Students will view The Green Book YouTube video as a class. Students can answer comprehension questions on the The Negro Motorist Green Book Analysis Worksheet while they watch the video. However, the last question will require students to look through the digitized 1940 version of The Negro Motorist Green Book. Students will be paired up with a partner to discuss the last question then share thoughts and ideas with the class.

  • Class will convene to share out.

  • Students will independently answer the reflection question on The Little Harlem Hotel Reflection Sheet.

  • EVALUATION

    In addition to the concluding Student Reflection Sheet exit ticket on the essential question, student worksheets, group work, and class participation will be evaluated for understanding.