Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program received a collection of records from Indy’s King and King Funeral Home, a historic Black funeral home that served the east side from the 1930s through 1980s.
For many years, the funeral home operated out of 1503 Columbia Ave. in Martindale-Brightwood. The Oaks Academy acquired the site last year and invited the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program to survey the building for important artifacts.
“We uncovered a treasure trove of records, including death certificates, death certificate applications, financial records and so much more,” said Eunice Trotter, director of Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program. “We believe they will be an invaluable resource to historians and genealogists.”
The King and King Funeral Home collection was deposited at the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) where the condition, preservation needs and privacy concerns for public use will be analyzed. Once the analysis is completed, the collection will be processed and made available in the library as well as on the IHS digital platform.
Eunice Trotter named Black Heritage Preservation Program director – Indianapolis Recorder
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
