Patricia "Big Mama" Barron

Title

Patricia "Big Mama" Barron

Description

Patricia Barron, owner and operator of “Big Mama’s Kitchen,” has lived in North Omaha her entire life. Her family was one of many African American families moved to Omaha from the South as part of the Great Migration. Big Mama keeps alive the legacy of these families by serving traditional African American cuisine. The walls of her restaurant also carry forth the history of North Omaha, as they are adorned with dozens of photos of family and friends. All of the items in this collection were on display at Big Mama’s Kitchen. This collection was contributed at the 2011 North Omaha History Harvest.

Source

Patricia "Big Mama" Barron, North Omaha History Harvest, 2011

Rights

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Collection Items

Patricia "Big Mama" Barron's Business Card
The business card for Big Mama’s Kitchen serves as a colorful flyer for the restaurant. The card reflects her national notoriety, with one side dedicated to her television appearances. This was the restaurant’s current business card in the autumn of…

The Jungle Rhythm Boys
Patricia Barron's father, Basie Givens, led a succession of popular jazz bands during the 1950s and 1960s. His first band, The Jungle Rhythm Boys, was formed with friends in the 1930s. The bandmembers are shown with their homemade and hand-me-down…

Basie Givens and His Orchestra
Patricia Barron’s father, Basie Givens, was a prominent bass player and band leader in Omaha during the 1940s-1960s. He was in a number of bands throughout his life, and his orchestra, pictured here, gained regional notoriety.

Basie Givens
Patricia Barron’s father, Basie Givens, was a prominent bass player and band leader in Omaha during the 1940s-1960s. He was in a number of bands throughout his life, and his orchestra gained regional notoriety.

Big Mama's Kitchen Menu
Patricia Barron created Big Mama's Kitchen to provide traditional African American home-cooking and a comfortable atmosphere in North Omaha. Several dishes are based on family recipes and named after local landmarks. Big Mama's Kitchen is also an…

Neighborhood Kids
Children in Patricia Barron's North Omaha neighborhood.

Dr. King and President Obama Painting
Following the historic electoral victory of Barack Obama, the nation's first African American president, a local resident created this work of art. The painting commemorates the important moment in American history and features Dr. Martin Luther King…

North Omaha Beauty Contest
This photograph was taken at a beauty contest and features a number of members of the St. John's Baptist Church women's group. Patricia Barron's grandmother, Lillie Johnson, is far right in this photo.

Big Mama's Father, Basie Givens
Patricia Barron's father, Basie Givens, outside the family home.

Big Mama and Guy Fieri, Host of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
In 2010, Big Mama's Kitchen was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," a popular cable television food show. This large poster is on display at Big Mama’s, and shows her at the restaurant with the show’s host, Guy Fieri. The episode featuring…
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