Harry N. Sykes papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Harry N. Sykes papers
- Date
- 1880-2012, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 10.1 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- African American churches -- Kentucky.
- African Americans -- Kentucky -- Lexington
- Fayette County (Ky.) -- Church history.
- Fayette County (Ky.) -- Politics and government
- Public policy and politics
- Harlem Globetrotters
- Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church (Lexington, Ky.)
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject.
- Preferred Citation
- 2011ms212: [identification of item], Harry N. Sykes papers, 1880-2012, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Harry N. Sykes was born in Starkville, Mississippi on April 1, 1927, to Marie Hall Sykes and P.K. Sykes. His family moved to Maywood, Illinois, where Sykes graduated high school in 1948. He attended Kentucky State University on a basketball and track scholarship, graduating in 1952. Later, Sykes completed a Master's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota. From 1952-1954, he played on the Harlem Globetrotters professional basketball team. From 1954 to 1962, Sykes taught mathematics at Dunbar High School. In 1963, he was elected to the Lexington City Council, the first African American councilman for the city. Sykes also served as mayor pro-tem from 1967-1969. He founded the Lexington Fayette County Urban League in 1968, serving as president from 1968-1972. In 1971, Sykes ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Lexington, narrowly losing to Foster Pettit. He served as acting city manager from 1972 to 1974, and as acting chief administrative officer for the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government from 1974-1975. Sykes held a variety of other positions throughout his professional life including insurance salesman (1964-1969), business development officer for Second National Bank (1970-1972), realtor (1981-1992), and a contract compliance officer with the Frankfort, Kentucky, Department of Finance. He was also heavily involved with the Historical Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Lexington and other community boards and commissions.
- Sykes married Geraldine Higgins Sykes and had five children. He passed away on November 28, 2012, at the age of 85.
- Sources:
- https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/honorable-harry-sykes
- https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/1166
- Scope and Content
- The Harry N. Sykes papers (dated 1880-2012, undated; 10.1 cubic feet; 8 boxes, 2 flat boxes, 21 photograph boxes) comprise correspondence, newspaper clippings and articles, pamphlets, publications, newsletters, notes, forms, lists, and photographs that document the life and work of Harry N. Sykes. The collection is arranged into six series.
- The City of Lexington series comprises correspondence, pamphlets, memos and reports, publications, and clippings related to education, politics, city government, local businesses and organizations, and local water control in Lexington and Fayette County.
- The Historic Pleasant Green Baptist Church series comprises primarily programs, publications, and correspondence related to the Church and its operations. Also includes correspondence, notes, and reports related to Simmons Bible College and various community events and programs.
- The Personal series comprises correspondence, programs, notes, newsletters, publications, lists, and clippings related to Sykes' education at Dunbar High School and Kentucky State University, political leanings and activities, personal relationships and family papers, and daily life.
- The Photographs series comprises assorted photographs sorted into three bulk categories including assorted friends and family, events and publicity, and trips and travel.
- The Publicity series comprises primarily newspaper clippings, articles, ephemera, and pamphlets related to Sykes' careers and public life, including his tenure with the Harlem Globetrotters.
- The Real Estate series comprises correspondence, newsletters, forms, notes, and clippings related to Sykes' real estate business. Also included are signs advertising Sykes' business and properties.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
City of Lexington, 1957-2008, undated
Education and politics, 1992-2005, undated
Assorted local election pamphlets, undated
Fayette Co Public Schools, reading and math challenge 2001 packet, 2001
Fayette County Public Schools expectations packet, 1998
Minority Teacher Recruitment Project (MTRP) certificate, 2005
School evaluation articles, flyers, 1992, undated
Fair Housing Council, 1999-2007, undated
Board meeting minutes, 1999
Correspondence, 1999-2005, undated
Correspondence, bylaws, meeting materials, 1999
Correspondence, meeting agenda, 1999-2006
Meeting agenda, materials, 2002-2005
Meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, lists, 2007, undated
Newsletters, lists, correspondence, 2002, undated
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, 1967-2008, undated
Affirmative action compliance memos and map, 1989
Assorted event and venue flyers, pamphlets, 1993-2003, undated
Assorted flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, correspondence, 1983-2008, undated
Assorted notes, correspondence, forms, 1995-2006, undated
Civil Service Commission welcome packet contents, 2005
Deposition transcript of Harry Sykes, 2007
Downtown Revitalization Initiative, 2000 September
Downtown Revitalization Initiative agenda, 2000
Flyers, undated
Governor's 4th EEO conference packet contents, 1990
Kentucky Rendezvous 41st annual meeting program, 1983 August
Kentucky Rendezvous, Inc. agenda, report, correspondence, 1981-1985
Kentucky Rendezvous, Inc. annual meeting booklet, 1983
Kentucky Rendezvous photo, 1969
Kentucky Minority Purchasing Guide, 1985
Lexington Fayette Board of Commissioners session dockets, resolution, 1967
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration pamphlet, 2000
Mayoral proclamation, 1999
Mayor's office reports, lists, notes, 2002, undated
Memos and newsletters, 2001-2002
Newsletter, 2003 Fall
Newsletters, correspondence, 2001-2004
Public assistance reports, 1967
Track relocation 1968 agenda, index, 1968
Urban renewal resolution and administration lists, 2002
Local businesses and organizations, 1957-2006, undated
Bluegrass Black Business Association derby banquet program, 1993
Bluegrass Black Business Association lists, agendas, 1991
Bluegrass Black Business Association pre-Derby awards banquet program, 1994
Boyd County NAACP annual freedom fund banquet program, 1999
Downtown Lexington Corporation information packet contents, 2000
Events flyers, invitations, 1957-2006
Historic preservation, African Cemetery No.2 pamphlets, undated
Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) flyers, undated
Kentucky Historical Society historical marker for Garrett A. Morgan pamphlets, 2000
Kentucky special needs adoption program fan, undated
Lexington Commission on Race Relations correspondence, 1999
Lexington Commission on Race Relations statements, 1999
Lexington event flyers, pamphlets, 2003-2004
Lexington's Civil Rights Legacy reception correspondence, flyer, 2005
National Conference for Community and Justice - Bluegrass region newsletter, 2000 Fall
Newspaper clippings, Lexington local government and news, 2002-2005, undated
Newspaper clippings, racial tension in Lexington, 1994-2001, undated
Order of the Red Garter Knighthood plaque, 1971
Roots and Heritage Festival programs, 1993-1994
Viola Davis Brown newspaper clipping, 2004
YMCA Black Achievers awards banquet program, 1997
YMCA Black Achievers booklet, 1997
Local water ownership, 2002-2006, undated
Bluegrass FLOW Advisory Council notes, flyers, 2003
Fan and bumper sticker, undated
Flyers, undated
Clippings, correspondence, 2002-2004, undated
Clippings, correspondence, pamphlets, 2002
Clippings, correspondence, petition, 2004-2005
Local water referendum correspondence, flyers, 2006
Newspaper clippings, local water, 2005
Historic Pleasant Green Baptist Church, 1909-2008, undated
Administrative, 1966-2008, undated
Agendas, memo, flyers, 1987-1994, undated
Agendas, reports, correspondence, 2002-2004
Annual meeting correspondence, agendas, reports, 2000-2001
Assorted church clippings, articles, undated
Assorted church flyers, newsletter, correspondence, 1966-2002, undated
Assorted church programs, lists, 1984, undated
Bank account balances and reports, 2000-2003, undated
Bethany Missionary Baptist Church centennial celebration booklet, 1996
Calendars, programs, notes, newsletters, 1991-2008, undated
Church directories, 2004, 2007
Church events, programs, notes, 1985-2008, undated
Church list, undated
Church sheet music, undated
Church tax exemption forms, 1990
Clippings, newsletter, lists, agenda, 1978-2003, undated
Correspondence, 1990-2002
Correspondence, lists, notes, 1997, 2003
Correspondence, programs, notes, proposals, 1993-2005, undated
Date book, 2002
Economic summit agenda and packet contents, 1996
Endowment scholarship fund form, undated
Executive committee meeting packet, 2007
Lists, newsletters, programs, agendas, 1998-2003, undated
Meeting agendas, minutes, notes, 1991-2003
"Men's Day" folder contents, 2004
Newsletter, contact lists, programs, 1995-2003, undated
Newsletter, 2004
Outreach proposals, undated
Planning agendas, lists, 1996-1997
Planning lists and proposals, 2005
Plaque, 1993
Plegre Bach Inc. forms, receipts, certificates, 1999
Plegre Bach Inc. reinstatement forms, 1999
Plegre Bach, Inc notices, 2004
Plegre Bach, Inc. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program application forms, 1984
Presentation folder, 2003
Programs, pamphlets, 1986-2006, undated
Property development correspondence, 2005
Rental packet contents, undated
Reports, correspondence, agendas, notes, 2001-2003
Reports, notes, lists, 1993-1995
Sonitrol proposals, 2007
Vacation bible school surveys, undated
Notes and programs, 1909-2008, undated
Assorted church notes, programs, clippings, 1970-1999
Assorted church notes, programs, sheet music, 1996, undated
Assorted church pamphlets, articles, undated
Assorted church pamphlets, bulletins, 2002, undated
Assorted church programs, undated
Assorted church programs, newsletters, notes, 1970-2003, undated
Assorted church programs, notes, 1909-2001, undated
Assorted church programs, notes, 2000-2004, undated
Church bulletins, notes, articles, 1993-1996
Church booklet, notes, 2000
Church notes, programs, 1993-2008, undated
Church programs, 2003-2004, undated
Church programs, clippings, notes, correspondence, 1954-2006, undated
Church programs, correspondence, notes, booklets, 1997-2006, undated
Church programs, notes, 1990-2004, undated
Church programs, notes, lists, forms, 1991-2004, undated
Church programs, notes, sheet notes, 2003-2006, undated
Church programs, pamphlets, 1995-2007
Church programs, sheet music, notes, undated
Conference programs, 1995
Fans, undated
Notes, newsletters, 2001-2003
Programs, notes, 1987-1988, undated
Obituaries, 1959-2008, undated
Publications, 1948-2007, undated
Brook: a season of miracles church newsletter, 2003
Conformed to His Likeness: building character like Christ, Leroy Lawson, 2004
Direction: Bible study guide for adults, 2003
Direction: Bible study guide for adults, 2005
Direction: Bible study guide for adults, 2007
Echoes: uniting with the Church to transform the world, 1997
Lighten Up by Michael Shannon, 1999
Church Bible study booklets, 2000-2004
Church magazines, 2003
History of the Black Baptist Church USA newsletters, 1989
John R. Gaines, From the Pews: a cri coeur, 2002 June
The American Baptist newspaper, 1948
The American Baptist newspaper copy clippings, 1948
Simmons Bible College, 1997-2001, undated
Black colleges lists, undated
Community Juvenile Justice Partnership grant program application, 1999
Correspondence, 1998-2001, undated
Correspondence, reports, articles on higher education, 1997, undated
Economic summit reports, agendas, certificates, notes, 1997-1998
Financial correspondence and proposals, 1998-2000, undated
Personal, 1880-2012, undated
Correspondence, 1904-2008, undated
Education and politics, 1951-2005, undated
Affirmative Action in Heaven satirical writings, undated
Attucks High School convention program, 1989
Black Americans in Congress booklet, 1976
Black Graduates of Kentucky booklet, 1988
Black Legacy calendar, 2000
Bluegrass Black Business Association pre-derby booklet, 1993
Bluegrass Retired Teachers Association newsletter, 2005
Correspondence, politics related, 1979-1983
Democratic News & Views newsletter, 2002
Detroit, Michigan, democrats flyers, newspapers, 1994, undated
Dollars and Sense special issue, Ben Carson article, 1991 September
Dunbar High School reunion packet, undated
Fayette County political flyers, 1998-2000
Geraldine Sykes portfolio, undated
High school reunion invitation, 1998
History Channel Magazine with attached note, 2004 September
Kentucky High School Athletic League report, memo, 1957
Kentucky men's basketball schedule, 2003-2004
Kentucky State University (KSU) '48 basketball reunion, certificate, correspondence, press release, 1998
KSU '48 reunion activities packet, 1998
KSU basketball lists and clippings, 1998
KSU Bluegrass Teachers Association meeting agenda, 1955
KSU concert choir annual tour program, 2001
KSU concert choir program, 1998
KSU correspondence, 1998-2001
KSU correspondence and programs, 2000
KSU football program, 2002
KSU K-Club bylaws, reports, policy, 2000, undated
KSU list, agenda, certificate, 1986-1992
KSU newsletter, 2002
KSU program, agenda, flyer, 1951-2003
KSU reunion packet contents, 2003
Local campaign pamphlets, 1985
Local election brochures, 2004, undated
Mineral Area Cardinals basketball programs, 2001-2002
Paul Lawrence Dunbar reunion and newsletter, 1992, 2004
Paul Oberst memorial and clippings, 2002
Proviso Township High School distinguished alumnus certificate, name tag, undated
Proviso Township High School reunion booklet, 1993
Tulane University Sports news clippings, 2003
Unitarian Universalist articles - race related, 2003
United Democrats for Humphrey mailer, 1968
University of Houston-Downtown flyers, pamphlets, newsletter, 2001
University of Kentucky event flyer, 2002
University of Kentucky Kappa Alpha Psi articles and bylaws, 1980, undated
University of Kentucky wildcats basketball 1992-1993 booklet, 1992
Genealogy and family papers, 1880-2012, undated
Assorted friends and family photos, 1997-2002, undated
Cool Papa Bell celebration ribbons, 1999
Cool Papa Bell clippings, programs, 1999, undated
Cool Papa Bell biographical article, undated
Cool Papa Bell celebration clippings, flyers, 1999
Genealogy correspondence, charts, photos, 1993-1997, undated
Genealogy lists, undated
Genealogy lists, charts, photos, 1997, undated
Genealogy lists, photos, undated
Genealogy research charts and photos, undated
Geraldine Sykes planner, 1998, undated
Hall family papers, correspondence, receipts, birth note, 1896-1955
Harry and Geraldine Sykes 50th Anniversary invitation and napkins, 2001
Harry Sykes funeral program, 2012
Harry E. Sykes correspondence with attorney, 1993
Harry E. Sykes correspondence with Kentucky Bar Association, 1997
Harry E. Sykes, District Court Judge memo, 1993
Jesse Turner obituary, correspondence, 1989
Jet Magazines featuring friends and family, 2001
Kentucky Bar Association press release and ballots, 1982, undated
Marie Sykes will and correspondence, 2004
Military Payment Certificate, [1940s-1970s]
Newspaper clippings - Vanderbilt University, 1982
Sykes and Associates articles of incorporation and business proposal, 1989
Sykes family reunion photos, 1975
Sykes family achievement certificates, wedding announcements, 1981-1982
Sykes family correspondence, photos, 1993-1998, undated
Sykes family lists and photos, 1971-2000, undated
Sykes family lists, clippings, 1997-1999, undated
Sykes family lists, correspondence, 1993, undated
Sykes family photos, lists, census lists, 1880-2001, undated
Sykes genealogy lists, charts, 1993-1997, undated
Sykes Who's Who book correspondence, receipt, 1993
Sykes-Turner family lists, photos, undated
Sykes-Turner family lists, photos, correspondence, memorial programs, 1966-2003, undated
Sykes-Turner family lists, photos, programs, family tree, 1967-1995
Sykes-Turner family photos, 1997, undated
Sykes-Turner family reunion, 1998
Sykesville, Maryland, information guide, brochure, map, undated
The Keeton family tree booklet, 1977 July
Turner family programs, lists, photos, 1966-1997, undated
Notes and calendars, 1964-2003, undated
African American Heritage calendars, 2002-2003
Assorted notes, lists, 2000, undated
Calendars, 1964, 2001
Daily planner, 1995
Daily planner, notes, 1981
Date books with notes, 1975, 1981
Notes, undated
Notes, lists, contact information, undated
Photographs, 1933-2005, undated
Assorted friends and family, 1933-2005, undated
- Box 25, item 1-79
- Box 14, item 14-43
- Box 26, item 1-84
- Box 27, item 1-105
- Box 29, item 1-63
- Box 21, item 1-50
- Box 16, item 1-96
- Box 17, item 1-103
- Box 28, item 1-96
- Box 18, item 1-109
- Box 19, item 1-96
- Box 20, item 1-118
- Box 30, item 1-102
- Box 12, item 1
- Box 2011ms212-008, item 31
Events and publicity, 1958-2004, undated
- Box 14, item 1-14
- Box 9, item 1-45
- Box 31, item 1-87
- Box 24, item 1-99
- Box 2011ms212-008, item 30
Trips and travel, 1997-2000, undated
Publicity, 1948-2008, undated
Articles and clippings, 1948-2008, undated
Black History Month articles, undated
Chevy Chaser Magazine, 2004 October
Chevy Chaser Magazine, Harry Sykes on cover, 2004
Malcolm X College student newspaper, 1995
Maywood Herald (Illinois), 1995
Newspaper clippings, 1949-2008, undated
- Box 2011ms212-006, folder 42-51
- Box 2011ms212-007, folder 1-6; 8-16; 18; 21-24; 26-29
- Box 12, folder 2
Newspaper clippings, articles, 1968-2000, undated
Newspaper clippings, civil rights related, 1985-1998
Newspaper clippings, sports, 1999-2000
Newspaper clippings, national news and sports, 1999-2004. undated
Newspaper clippings, race relations and African American community, 2003-2005, undated
Newspaper clippings, basketball related, undated
Awards, events, and portfolio, 1958-2007, undated
Award certificates, 1972-2003
Booker T Washington High School hall of fame correspondence, clippings, certificates, 1958
Event programs and award certificates, 1982-2002
Harry Sykes campaign for mayor photos, pamphlets, 1971
Harry Sykes notary certificate, 2004
Harry Sykes personalized notepad, undated
Harry Sykes portfolio, 1963-2003, undated
Harry Sykes publicity clippings, 1958-2004, undated
Harry Sykes publicity clippings, flyers, 1971-1975, undated
Harry Sykes publicity, clippings, flyers, certificate, 1972-2004, undated
Harry Sykes publicity clippings, pamphlets, business cards, 1964-2003, undated
Harry Sykes publicity clippings, photos, correspondence, 1963-2004, undated
Harry Sykes publicity clippings, undated
Harry Sykes speech notes, undated
The HistoryMakers clippings, 2003
The HistoryMakers clippings and pamphlet, 2001
The HistoryMakers questionnaire, correspondence and booklet, 2003, undated
The HistoryMakers event packet contents, 2003
The History Makers: national African American video oral history archives magazine, undated
Jackie Robinson Day program, 2007
Kentucky athletic hall of fame induction banquet program, 2000
Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame event booklets, 2003
Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame event registration form, 2005
Martin Luther King Day at Mississippi State program, clipping, 2003-2004
Notary public stamper, undated
Omnicron civic and social club laws of incorporation, undated
Partial short story about Harry Sykes, undated
Signature stamper, undated
Sykes for Mayor poster, undated
Black Legends of Professional Basketball, 1954-2006
Correspondence, 1967-2005, undated
Correspondence from fans, 2000, 2004
Correspondence and clippings, 1967-2004, undated
Correspondence, clippings, certificates, 1980-2005, undated
Oral history tapes, correspondence, 2004
Harlem Globetrotters, 1951-2006, undated
Alumni correspondence, 2004-2005
Correspondence, clippings, 1997, undated
Correspondence, newsletter, photos, 1951-2004, undated
Correspondence, photo, 2003, undated
Correspondence, photos, clippings, 1996-2005, undated
Flyers, clippings, 2001
Flyer, photos, 2001-2004
Fundraiser program photos and notes, 2001
Letter and photos from Thomas Brooks, undated
Magazine, correspondence, clippings, 1971-2006
Marques Haynes biography manuscript, 1999
Newsletter, 2003
Newsletter, lists, clippings, 2000-2001
Seasonal programs, 1951-1977
Team photos, undated
World tour program, 2003
Real estate, 1970-2009, undated
Booklet, notes, clippings, undated
Contracts, forms, 1990-2001, undated
Correspondence, 1992
Correspondence, proposals, 2009, undated
Floor plans, undated
Flyers, clippings, correspondence, 2000-2005 undated
Forms, 1999, undated
Forms, contracts, notes, clippings, 1990-2003, undated
Forms, correspondence, undated
Forms, correspondence, invoices, 1996-1998, undated
Forms, notes, undated
Kenton County Airport Board bid proposal, undated
Kentucky Core Course packets contents, 2000
Kentucky Real Estate News newsletter, 2001
Kentucky Real Estate News newsletter, 2004
Land purchase contracts, 1970, undated
Lists, undated
Real estate signs, undated
Rental agreement, 2003
Rental applications, reports, contacts, 2000-2002, undated
Stationary, undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
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Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.