The John H. Motley Collection

Numbering more than 3,000 items, the John H. Motley Collection is one of the nation’s foremost collections of African American military materials and the source for many of the images depicted in the Take Our Stand exhibit. The Collection was gifted to the American Civil War Center in 2007 by John H. Motley of Hartford, Connecticut. A past chair of the Center’s Board of Directors, Mr. Motley is a former executive with Traveler’s Insurance and a decorated Vietnam War veteran.

For information about accessing the Motley Collection contact the Center’s curator Randy Klemm at (804) 780-1865 x 20 or rklemm@tredegar.org

Images may not be reproduced without written permission from the American Civil War Center.

The American Civil War Center At Historic Tredegar: Take Our Stand

Two members of the 9th U.S. Cavalry burying the dead in Cuba, circa 1899.

Unidentified U.S. Sailor standing at parade rest, circa 1942.

Soldiers from Waco, Texas training for the Hospital Corps at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, circa 1917.

Unidentified U.S. soldier, circa 1917.

Members of the 506th U.S. Engineers band, circa 1917.

U.S. Army musician. Dedication on back: To Gwen from Mason, circa 1917.

Promotional image featuring WAC truck drivers, circa 1944.

Members of a WAC unit in camp at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, June 1944.

Herman Spotswood, France, circa 1917.

Mess Attendant 1st Class Julius Ellsberry died aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack at Pearl Harbor 12/7/1941.

Soldier writing in the field, circa 1910.

U.S. soldiers Stuart and Blakely, circa 1917.

Sergeant William Hunt, circa 1917. Written on back: Dear Sister, how are you all, I am fine, hoping you are the same-

Fort Des Moines training facility for African American soldiers during WWI. 600+ officers commissioned in 10/1917.

L to R: (back) Priv. Margren, Priv. 1st Class Robert Miller, Corp. Charles Smith, (front) J.B.R., Priv. Harry Taley. 1944

Unidentified U.S. soldiers, circa 1917.

Written on the backside of image: Sergeant. E. L. White, who never lost a battle. To Mother. Circa 1917.

Three Companies of the 24th U. S. Infantry drilling in camp at Oswego, New York, circa, 1900.