The Carnegie Library (pictured above) is located on the historic campus of Florida A&M University (FAMU). Construction on the library started in 1907 and the facility officially opened to the public in 1908. It was the first Carnegie Library built on a black land-grant college campus. The library was also the institution's first brick veneer building.
In 1976, Carnegie Library became the founding home of the Black Archives Research Center and Museum. In 1978, Carnegie Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Although designated as a statewide facility, the Black Archives quickly evolved into an important regional, national and international research center for studies pertaining to African-American culture and history.
In 1971, the Florida Legislature mandated the creation of a repository to “serve the state by collecting and preserving source material on and about African Americans from ancient to present times.” This mandate gave birth to what would later become the Black Archives Research Center and Museum.
Learn about those who laid the foundation for the Creation of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives
The Meek-Eaton Black Archives is one of the premier research centers on African American history in the Southeastern region.
The Meek-Eaton Black Archives is comprised of three facilities: The Carnegie Library, the Union Bank, and the Expansion Facility.
We have an impressive holding of manuscripts, rare books, journals, magazines, maps, newspapers, and photographs. Some of these records are unique resources that are not available at other research facilities.
What we Provide at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives (MEBA) Research Center and Museum
The Black Archives houses more than 500,000 individual archival records that are cataloged and available for public use.
The Meek-Eaton Black Archives and Union Bank are available for facility rental for meetings, receptions, seminars, workshops and other gatherings.
The museum component of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives is open to the public Monday - Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.