Baseball
Like most Americans in the late 1940s, the Muse family had a strong fondness for baseball. During this time, Black America was captivated by players like Jackie Robinson (“The Road to Baseball Integration,” n.d.) and Larry Doby (National Baseball Hall of Fame, n.d.), who broke the color barrier and cemented baseball’s significance in African American history. The sport was so important that a father-son dispute over a game escalated into a physical altercation. Henry Muse threatened to “break up a ball game” between the Draper and Dublin teams. His father, Raymond Muse, was the manager of the Dublin team. The Raymond Muse, who managed the Draper team, according to witnesses, struck his son with a baseball bat after Henry threatened him with a knife. The altercation left Henry Muse unconscious and hospitalized. While Henry eventually regained consciousness, it can be assumed that he learned that day not to challenge his father over the game of baseball (Southwest Times, 1948).
Cross with a Red Ribbon
Frances Muse was a Deacon at the Melrose S.D.A. Church of Roanoke. The cross with a red ribbon draping over it is a symbol for deacons of the christian faith. While historically, most church leadership roles were reserved for men, women in the Deaconry date back to the early beginnings of the Christian church. The same is true in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination of Christianity. The late 19th-century Adventist Movement had women actively involved in ministry and preaching the gospel. Frances Muse's role as A Deacon reflects a long tradition of women in church authority.
Sewing Machine
In her obituary, Frances was noted to enjoy arts and crafts, specifically sewing. Frances Muse’s fondness for arts and crafts reflects a long history of African American sewing and quilting traditions. During slavery, Black women often created quilts both as a form of expression and out of necessity. In the 20th century, sewing for African American women evolved from a means of survival to an avenue for artistic expression. Many Black women learned to sew at home. In addition, sewing was a communal activity, with church sewing circles commonly found in Black communities.
Click Here to Watch
Henry Muse's Application for Veterans Headstone
Local Winner Boxing Bouts
This is a clipping from an article celebrating James Muse's boxing win. The article also mentions Francis Muse and compliments her brother, saying he was hardworking and talented. In 1956, James was honored for his boxing win with a feature in the Tribune newspaper titled "James Muse: Local Winner Boxing Bouts." At 18, as a student at Addison High School, he had been boxing for about a year before his celebrated win. Jesse Baker, a former professional boxer in the area, mentored him. James was undefeated at the time of the article, winning three out of all three fights he’s ever had. Initially aspiring to become a dentist, his boxing successes led him to pursue a career in the sport.
Family, Service, Talent, and Dedication
These words were thought to best represent the family's ideals and values. The research showed that the family had a tight bond. In addition, many articles about the family mentioned that they were dedicated and talented in their respective crafts and talents.
Raymond Muse
Picture of Raymond Muse, who signed on to the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA et al. (1947)—Father of the Muse family. Raymond Muse was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1906 to Sam and Dollie Ann Muse. Before he retired, he worked for the Roanoke County School Board. He was also employed as a laborer in a car garage. He passed away on June 8th, 1999.
(Raymond Muse Obituary, The Roanoke Times, June 1999).
The Caduceus
After attending vocational school, Frances Muse received her Nursing Assistant license and practiced in Roanoke, Virginia. Roanoke had a history of segregation in its health field, leaving the African American community with inadequate healthcare. In the 1950s, Black nurses had few options when it came to becoming a licensed health professional, and many times nursing students found themselves struggling under the structural oppression that occurred during the 1950s in the healthcare field.
Family Names on Lawsuit
Henry Muse, Frances Muse, James Muse, and Sonja Muse, infants, by Raymond Muse, their father and next friend.
Click Here to Watch
Calfee Graduation Article
In 1950, about 58 percent of elementary school graduates received diplomas from secondary school. In comparison, only about 10% of African Americans in 1950 went on from primary school to graduate from high school. Schools that served Black students were significantly underfunded compared to white schools. Calfee was no exception. James Muse’s graduation from Calfee and his attendance at Addison High during his boxing years show his perseverance and dedication to his education.
A photo description of James Muse and his classmates' graduation from Calfee Training School.
Piano
Sonja Muse, daughter of Raymond, was a pianist granted local status in the National Fraternity of Students, an organization affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians. Like many fraternities and institutions of its time, the American Federation of Musicians was segregated. The first AFM charter for Black musicians was established in Chicago in 1902. A "separate but equal" status was the norm within the institution. However, in 1941, when the AFM granted autonomy to all local chapters, Black locals gained the right to elect their own representatives and send delegates to the national AFM convention.
Red Rose of Sharon’s Penchant
Henry Muse was a local mason at the Rose of Sharon Masonic Lodge, Lodge No. 4. He was titled a senior deacon. The African American Masonic tradition began in 1784 with a Black man named Prince Hall. Black masons both practiced the sacred rituals of all freemasons but, in addition, used their organization to provide mutual aid to their communities and fight for social justice.
Boxing Gloves
In 1956, James was honored for his boxing win with a feature in the Tribune newspaper titled "James Muse: Local Winner in Boxing Bouts." At 18, as a student at Addison High School, he had been boxing for about a year before his celebrated win. Jesse Baker, a former professional boxer in the area, mentored him. James was undefeated at the time of the article, winning three out of all three fights he’s ever had. Initially aspiring to become a dentist, his boxing successes led him to pursue a career in the sport.
Car Line Drawing
In the 1940s, Raymond Muse worked as a laborer in a car garage. At that time, African Americans comprised only about 3% of the auto industry workforce. Historically, the auto industry was discriminatory against Black laborers, often favoring white workers for higher-paying and more stable positions. Only the most qualified Black laborers were typically selected to work in the industry during this period. (“Driving While Black: On the Line,” n.d.)
Family, Service, Talent, and Dedication
These words were thought to best represent the family's ideals and values. The research showed that the family had a tight bond. In addition, many articles about the family mentioned that they were dedicated and talented in their respective crafts and talents.
James Muse, local winner of boxing bouts
This is a clipping from an article celebrating James Muse's boxing win. The article also mentions Francis Muse and compliments her brother, saying he was hardworking and talented (The Tribune, 1956). In the 1950s, boxing was often segregated, and weight classes were sometimes divided along racial lines. (“Black Boxers and Golden Gloves, from Segregation to National Champions· Notable Kentucky African Americans Database” 2021) However, boxing directly challenged the image of a subjugated Black man that was common in America’s mind. With the first Black boxers breaking records and rising to fame due to their successes, a picture was painted of a strong Black America, breaking the color lines that pervaded American sports. (“Boxing the Color Line | American Experience | PBS,”). A 1959 U.S. Supreme Court decision titled United States v. The International Boxing Club finally granted boxing (International Boxing Club v. United States, 358 U.S. 242 (1959).
Frances Muse
Frances Muse was born March 5, 1934, in Draper, Virginia. She graduated from Lucy Addison School in Roanoke, Virginia, and then attended a vocational college to obtain her nursing license. Frances's muse worked for multiple nursing homes in the Roanoke, Virginia, area. Frances was also a member of the Melrose Seventh-day Adventist Church of Roanoke, Virginia, where she served as a community service worker, a deaconess, and an usher.
Here comes Aunt Francis, and she doesn’t play
Frances's obituary mentions a quote in which her children and grandchildren reflected on her strict no-play attitude.
Sonja Henie Muse and Robert Brinkley Marriage Certificate
“Local Masons” Article
Henry Muse, Nathaniel Slaughter, and Clyde Grubb were photographed as officers of the local Rose of Sharon Lodge No. 4. Henry Muse was listed as the Senior Deacon of this Sharon Lodge. The African American Masonic tradition began in 1784 with a Black man named Prince Hall. (“A Brief History of Prince Hall Freemasonry,” n.d.) Black masons both practiced the sacred rituals of all freemasons but, in addition, used their organization to provide mutual aid to their communities and fight for social justice.
Raymond Muse
Picture of Raymond Muse, who signed on to the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA et al. (1947)—Father of the Muse family. Raymond Muse was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1906 to Sam and Dollie Ann Muse. Before he retired, he worked for the Roanoke County School Board. He was also employed as a laborer in a car garage. He passed away on June 8th, 1999.
(Raymond Muse Obituary, The Roanoke Times, June 1999).
Muse Family
Jill Williams
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Transcript
Baseball
Like most Americans in the late 1940s, the Muse family had a strong fondness for baseball. During this time, Black America was captivated by players like Jackie Robinson (“The Road to Baseball Integration,” n.d.) and Larry Doby (National Baseball Hall of Fame, n.d.), who broke the color barrier and cemented baseball’s significance in African American history. The sport was so important that a father-son dispute over a game escalated into a physical altercation. Henry Muse threatened to “break up a ball game” between the Draper and Dublin teams. His father, Raymond Muse, was the manager of the Dublin team. The Raymond Muse, who managed the Draper team, according to witnesses, struck his son with a baseball bat after Henry threatened him with a knife. The altercation left Henry Muse unconscious and hospitalized. While Henry eventually regained consciousness, it can be assumed that he learned that day not to challenge his father over the game of baseball (Southwest Times, 1948).
Cross with a Red Ribbon
Frances Muse was a Deacon at the Melrose S.D.A. Church of Roanoke. The cross with a red ribbon draping over it is a symbol for deacons of the christian faith. While historically, most church leadership roles were reserved for men, women in the Deaconry date back to the early beginnings of the Christian church. The same is true in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination of Christianity. The late 19th-century Adventist Movement had women actively involved in ministry and preaching the gospel. Frances Muse's role as A Deacon reflects a long tradition of women in church authority.
Sewing Machine
In her obituary, Frances was noted to enjoy arts and crafts, specifically sewing. Frances Muse’s fondness for arts and crafts reflects a long history of African American sewing and quilting traditions. During slavery, Black women often created quilts both as a form of expression and out of necessity. In the 20th century, sewing for African American women evolved from a means of survival to an avenue for artistic expression. Many Black women learned to sew at home. In addition, sewing was a communal activity, with church sewing circles commonly found in Black communities.
Click Here to Watch
Henry Muse's Application for Veterans Headstone
Local Winner Boxing Bouts
This is a clipping from an article celebrating James Muse's boxing win. The article also mentions Francis Muse and compliments her brother, saying he was hardworking and talented. In 1956, James was honored for his boxing win with a feature in the Tribune newspaper titled "James Muse: Local Winner Boxing Bouts." At 18, as a student at Addison High School, he had been boxing for about a year before his celebrated win. Jesse Baker, a former professional boxer in the area, mentored him. James was undefeated at the time of the article, winning three out of all three fights he’s ever had. Initially aspiring to become a dentist, his boxing successes led him to pursue a career in the sport.
Family, Service, Talent, and Dedication
These words were thought to best represent the family's ideals and values. The research showed that the family had a tight bond. In addition, many articles about the family mentioned that they were dedicated and talented in their respective crafts and talents.
Raymond Muse
Picture of Raymond Muse, who signed on to the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA et al. (1947)—Father of the Muse family. Raymond Muse was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1906 to Sam and Dollie Ann Muse. Before he retired, he worked for the Roanoke County School Board. He was also employed as a laborer in a car garage. He passed away on June 8th, 1999.
(Raymond Muse Obituary, The Roanoke Times, June 1999).
The Caduceus
After attending vocational school, Frances Muse received her Nursing Assistant license and practiced in Roanoke, Virginia. Roanoke had a history of segregation in its health field, leaving the African American community with inadequate healthcare. In the 1950s, Black nurses had few options when it came to becoming a licensed health professional, and many times nursing students found themselves struggling under the structural oppression that occurred during the 1950s in the healthcare field.
Family Names on Lawsuit
Henry Muse, Frances Muse, James Muse, and Sonja Muse, infants, by Raymond Muse, their father and next friend.
Click Here to Watch
Calfee Graduation Article
In 1950, about 58 percent of elementary school graduates received diplomas from secondary school. In comparison, only about 10% of African Americans in 1950 went on from primary school to graduate from high school. Schools that served Black students were significantly underfunded compared to white schools. Calfee was no exception. James Muse’s graduation from Calfee and his attendance at Addison High during his boxing years show his perseverance and dedication to his education.
A photo description of James Muse and his classmates' graduation from Calfee Training School.
Piano
Sonja Muse, daughter of Raymond, was a pianist granted local status in the National Fraternity of Students, an organization affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians. Like many fraternities and institutions of its time, the American Federation of Musicians was segregated. The first AFM charter for Black musicians was established in Chicago in 1902. A "separate but equal" status was the norm within the institution. However, in 1941, when the AFM granted autonomy to all local chapters, Black locals gained the right to elect their own representatives and send delegates to the national AFM convention.
Red Rose of Sharon’s Penchant
Henry Muse was a local mason at the Rose of Sharon Masonic Lodge, Lodge No. 4. He was titled a senior deacon. The African American Masonic tradition began in 1784 with a Black man named Prince Hall. Black masons both practiced the sacred rituals of all freemasons but, in addition, used their organization to provide mutual aid to their communities and fight for social justice.
Boxing Gloves
In 1956, James was honored for his boxing win with a feature in the Tribune newspaper titled "James Muse: Local Winner in Boxing Bouts." At 18, as a student at Addison High School, he had been boxing for about a year before his celebrated win. Jesse Baker, a former professional boxer in the area, mentored him. James was undefeated at the time of the article, winning three out of all three fights he’s ever had. Initially aspiring to become a dentist, his boxing successes led him to pursue a career in the sport.
Car Line Drawing
In the 1940s, Raymond Muse worked as a laborer in a car garage. At that time, African Americans comprised only about 3% of the auto industry workforce. Historically, the auto industry was discriminatory against Black laborers, often favoring white workers for higher-paying and more stable positions. Only the most qualified Black laborers were typically selected to work in the industry during this period. (“Driving While Black: On the Line,” n.d.)
Family, Service, Talent, and Dedication
These words were thought to best represent the family's ideals and values. The research showed that the family had a tight bond. In addition, many articles about the family mentioned that they were dedicated and talented in their respective crafts and talents.
James Muse, local winner of boxing bouts
This is a clipping from an article celebrating James Muse's boxing win. The article also mentions Francis Muse and compliments her brother, saying he was hardworking and talented (The Tribune, 1956). In the 1950s, boxing was often segregated, and weight classes were sometimes divided along racial lines. (“Black Boxers and Golden Gloves, from Segregation to National Champions· Notable Kentucky African Americans Database” 2021) However, boxing directly challenged the image of a subjugated Black man that was common in America’s mind. With the first Black boxers breaking records and rising to fame due to their successes, a picture was painted of a strong Black America, breaking the color lines that pervaded American sports. (“Boxing the Color Line | American Experience | PBS,”). A 1959 U.S. Supreme Court decision titled United States v. The International Boxing Club finally granted boxing (International Boxing Club v. United States, 358 U.S. 242 (1959).
Frances Muse
Frances Muse was born March 5, 1934, in Draper, Virginia. She graduated from Lucy Addison School in Roanoke, Virginia, and then attended a vocational college to obtain her nursing license. Frances's muse worked for multiple nursing homes in the Roanoke, Virginia, area. Frances was also a member of the Melrose Seventh-day Adventist Church of Roanoke, Virginia, where she served as a community service worker, a deaconess, and an usher.
Here comes Aunt Francis, and she doesn’t play
Frances's obituary mentions a quote in which her children and grandchildren reflected on her strict no-play attitude.
Sonja Henie Muse and Robert Brinkley Marriage Certificate
“Local Masons” Article
Henry Muse, Nathaniel Slaughter, and Clyde Grubb were photographed as officers of the local Rose of Sharon Lodge No. 4. Henry Muse was listed as the Senior Deacon of this Sharon Lodge. The African American Masonic tradition began in 1784 with a Black man named Prince Hall. (“A Brief History of Prince Hall Freemasonry,” n.d.) Black masons both practiced the sacred rituals of all freemasons but, in addition, used their organization to provide mutual aid to their communities and fight for social justice.
Raymond Muse
Picture of Raymond Muse, who signed on to the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA et al. (1947)—Father of the Muse family. Raymond Muse was born in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1906 to Sam and Dollie Ann Muse. Before he retired, he worked for the Roanoke County School Board. He was also employed as a laborer in a car garage. He passed away on June 8th, 1999.
(Raymond Muse Obituary, The Roanoke Times, June 1999).