Archives

Bannister, E. M. (1920). Edward Mitchell Bannister artist file : study photographs and reproductions of works of art with accompanying documentation. Frick Art Reference Library, The Fick Collection, New York. 

Assembled file includes b&w photographs, reproductions from books and auction catalogs, and in some cases, negatives. Items may include full views, details, before-and-after restoration views, etc. Documentation may include artist name, title of work, medium, dimensions, provenance, exhibition history, related works, previous attributions, and bibliography. 

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Famous R.I. People. Available digitally through the Rhode Island State Archives at:

sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_752217a8-b23c-49f9-9c0c-3b13b7b84f81/

List of names with a short biographical note about why the person is famous. No author is listed and no date of publication. Christiana Bannister appears on page1.

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George W. Forbes Papers, Archives & Special Collections at Boston Public Library. Call Number: MS Am.282

“This collection consists of correspondence sent to George W. Forbes, as well as typescript drafts of 18 biographies of eminent Black historical figures that Forbes wrote. Several letters to Elizabeth H. Forbes are also included.

Forbes’ biographical writings summarize the lives and accomplishments of William G. Allen, Benjamin Banneker, Edward M. Bannister, George A.P. Bridgewater, Daniel Coker, Alexander Crummell, Paul Cuffee, George F. Grant, George M. Horton, William Cooper Nell, William P. Powell, John S. Rock, Elijah W. Smith, James McCune Smith, James Monroe Trotter, David Walker, George W. Williams, and Peter Williams. Arranged in three series: Correspondence to George W. Forbes, 1900-1927, Correspondence to Elizabeth H. Forbes, 1927-1936, George W. Forbes research files and writings, 1900-1927.” - Boston Public Library.

Collection includes a typescript (15 sheets) biographical sketch of Bannister. With this is a photograph of Bannister's funeral or dedication of tombstone: archive.org/details/msam.-282-9

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Kirwin, L., Kendall, S. A., Brown, R. F., McNaught, W., Karlstrom, P., & Levy, S. J. (1984). Regional Reports. Archives of American Art Journal, 24(1), 30–39.

Describes the donation of 80 pencil, charcoal, and watercolor drawings by Bannister as well as newspaper and other writings about him.

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Outdoor Sculpture in Rhode Island (1999). Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission. Available digitally through the Rhode Island State Archives at: sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_6c6cb5d8-537a-4dfb-a137-8018f4c42c0a/

This is a survey of outdoor sculptures in Rhode Island. Lists Ebenezer Knight Dexter as the designer of the Bannister Memorial in the North Burial Ground on page 54. 

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Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Daniel F Johnson's New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics,  Volume 102 Number 1972. 

“T. Thomas Fortune has an interesting two column sketch of Artist Bannister in the New York 'Sun' from which we make the following extracts: Edwin M. BANNISTER of Providence, who has grown old, as an artist, was born in St. Andrews, N.B. about 63 years ago. His parents were of French, Indian and African origin. He attended the village school and while there laid the foundation of a practical education. Before his tenth year he had gained a local reputation for cleverness in making pictures of his school mates and his father's neighbors. He was apprenticed to a successful cobbler in St. Andrews, but all his relatives and friends expected him to become a great artist. ... He settled down to the study of art in Boston. He studied under Dr. Rimmer and showed such indications of genius that he soon attracted the attention of all the professors laboring with Dr. Rimmer. ... He finished his studies at Boston and went to Providence in 1871 where he has since resided. Before leaving Boston he became a regular exhibitor at the annual exposition of the Boston Art Club. The members of the Providence Art League met with him cordially and in the studies that he regularly presented they recognized a decided addition to the class of painters located there devoted to the French school illustrated by Bouguereau. - Old residents of St. Andrews recollect the Bannisters very well. There were two young men in the family, one known as Ed Bannister and the other as Bill Bannister. They were smart, athletic young fellows and left here between 40 and 50 years ago. One of them established himself as a barber on Haymarket Square, Boston.”

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State of Rhode Island, Digital Archives, Death Registrations 1901, Deaths 1901_147, page 118.

Edward Bannister died on 9 January 1901 at 73 years old at Elmwood Avenue First Baptist Church. His occupation was artist. He was born in New Brunswick. His parents' names were William and Hannah Bannister. He died of heart failure while in church. His physician was W.H. Palmer and the undertaker was C.O. Chase.

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State of Rhode Island, Digital Archives, Death Registrations 1902, Deaths 1902_054, page 44.

Christiana Bannister died on 29 December 1902 at 83 years old at the State Hospital for the Insane. She was born in North Kingstown, RI. Her parents' names were John and Mary Babcock. She died of Senile delusional insanity, chronic nephritus. Her physician was F.B. Jewett and the undertaker was C.O. Chase.

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Stetson, Charles Walter, “The Art Club Exhibition.” newspaper clipping in the Bannister papers, Archives of American Art, Washington, D.C.

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Stewart, Rowena. (1976) A Heritage Discovered: Blacks in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society. Available digitally through the Rhode Island State Archives at: 

sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_2e5ca2be-0674-4b88-bb9e-dbf8a413c55d/

“In November 1975, the Rhode Island Committee for  the Humanities funded our first project "Blacks in Rhode Island  - a Heritage Discovered." This booklet is a very brief representation of the discoveries and findings  in libraries, historical societies, personal collections of both Black and White citizens throughout the state.” A discussion of the Bannisters appears on page 34.

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Thompson, Paul. Edward Mitchell Bannister: The Barbizon School in Providence. Biographical Files, Edward Bannister Box (Providence Art Club Archives, Providence, Rhode Island).

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Whitaker, George, “Edward M. Banister.” undated typescript, Edward Mitchell Bannister papers, Archives of American Art, Washington, D.C.

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Youngken, Richard C. (1998). African Americans in Newport. The Newport Historical Society. Available digitally from the Rhode Island State Archives at: sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_73e59eda-904d-43fc-a7fb-a2d6d9a0d9a8/

​“This publication reports on the extraordinarily long and rich history of African Americans in the City of Newport. The project was a two year effort, funded by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission and reflects the long-standing commitment of the Commission to ensure that the history of all Rhode Islanders is  reflected in its historical preservation activities.” A picture of Bannister painting on Battery Park appears on page 40. Bannister is also mentioned on pages 42 and 51.