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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Kennedy, Robert F. (1925-1968) to Jackie Robinson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09754.09 Author/Creator: Kennedy, Robert F. (1925-1968) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Typed letter signed Date: 29 October 1963 Pagination: 1 p. ; 26.5 x 20.4 cm. Order a Copy PDF Download(s): Download PDF

One typed letter addressed to Jackie Robinson dated October 29, 1963 from Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy expresses his gratitude of Robinson's efforts to open schools in Prince Edward County.

Prince Edward County closed the public school system in 1959 to avoid classroom desegregation for five years. Private schools were established for white children where the funding was established through state and tax credits. Black children were either home-schooled or through the Society of Friends.

Robinson, Jackie, 1919-1972
Kennedy, Robert Francis, 1925-1968

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