Hansen, Austin, 1910-1996

The Abyssinian Baptist Church Oral History Project was undertaken in 1991 as one of the activities of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture's Preservation of the Black Religious Heritage Project. The latter, which ran from 1989 to 1993, collected and preserved material related to the African-American religious experience. Dr. Martia Goodson, a professor at Baruch College, conceived of and executed the Abyssinian oral history project, which focused on church life from 1940 to 1970. She identified and interviewed several individuals who had been longtime members of the church.

From the guide to the Abyssinian Baptist Church Oral History Project, 1992, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)

Austin Hansen (1910-1996) was a Harlem, New York based photographer. He produced a massive collection of over 500,000 portraits of African American families, clergymen, political leaders, sportsmen and writers. He was noted for his photographs of Harlem architecture, churches, brownstones, professional schools and organizations, as well as his decisive images of the commonplace, celebrations, street scenes, and weddings.

Hansen was born in the Virgin Islands where he began his photography career at age fourteen. Following his stint in the U.S. Navy, where he was trained as a combat/war photographer, he opened the A. Hansen Photographic Studio in Harlem.

From the description of Austin Hansen papers, 1946-1985. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122626338

Austin Hansen (1910-1996) was a Harlem, New York based photographer. He produced a massive collection of over 500,000 portraits of African American families, clergymen, political leaders, sportsmen and writers. He was noted for his photographs of Harlem architecture, churches, brownstones, professional schools and organizations, as well as his decisive images of the commonplace, celebrations, street scenes, and weddings.

Hansen was born in the Virgin Islands where he began his photography career at age fourteen. Following his stint in the U.S. Navy, where he was trained as a combat/war photographer, he opened the A. Hansen Photographic Studio in Harlem.

From the guide to the Austin Hansen papers, 1946-1985, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)