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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…

This wedding announcement for Reverend and Mrs. David Benton appeared in the Omaha Star. The couple held their wedding reception at the local Y.W.C.A. They planned to spend their three-week honeymoon in New York City and visit Niagara Falls. For…

This is an advertisement for Tululah's Home Cooked Meals that appeared in the Omaha Star. The restaurant was located at 2422 Burdette Street in North Omaha. The menu featured traditional soul food options such as fried chicken, green, potatoes, and…

Ruth Brown, a popular jazz , pop and R&B musician, shown here performing at the Dreamland Ballroom, ca. 1949. Ruth Brown was one of many popular musicians to play at the Dreamland Ballroom during the 1940s and 1950s.

This photograph shows The Lucky Millinder Orchestra performing popular Big Band and jazz music at the Dreamland Ballroom, ca. 1948. Performances such as The Lucky Millinder Orchestra drew large crowds at The Dreamland Ballroom during the 1940s and…

Former Omahan, Anna Mae Winburn, standing right in this photograph, leading The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. The International Sweethearts of Rhythm performed their jazz and Big Band hits at The Dreamland Ballroom during the 1940s.

Charles Mellon gave this mechanical coin bank to the Otoe County museum so that generations of children could continue to enjoy a hundred-year-old toy. Mechanical coin banks were a post-Civil War American invention, popular among Victorians because…

This clipping is one of many birthday announcements that appeared in the Omaha Star. The coverage of events such as these, including the list of attendees, illustrates the closeness of the North Omaha community. For interviews and oral histories of…

This clipping is one of many birthday announcements that appeared in the Omaha Star. The coverage of events such as these illustrates the closeness of the North Omaha community. For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit…