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Rocky Simmons photographs

 Collection
Identifier: D.353

Biographical / Historical note

Steven Wynder "Rocky" Simmons (1915-1994) was born in Magnolia, MS to Irvine and Gladys Simmons. The family moved to Bogalusa, LA where Rocky spent much of his youth. A gifted athlete, he was recruited by Wiley College in Marshall, TX to play football and baseball. He became a professional baseball player and played in the Negro Leagues for several teams, including the Bogalusa Tigers (LS) and the Utica Monarchs (NY). He played with such notables as Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson. With the coming of World War II, Simmons served his country in the US Army.



When the War ended, Simmons opted for greater opportunities in the North and he made a new home for himself in Rochester, like so many others from the South. Here he managed the Rochester American Giants baseball team and coached many youth teams. He married Miss Beatrice Dawkins in 1954. Together they had four children: Wynder, Roxie, Michelle and Dwayne.



Simmons became involved in Republican Party politics when he lived on Scio St. in Rochester's 7th Ward. He was a powerful campaigner, encouraging voter registration, and participation. Simmons campaigned for Caroline Branch to be the first local female judge and when she won the election in 1964, she appointed Simmons to the position of Monroe County Family Court Attendant in 1964. He was the first African American to hold the position. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1988.



Simmons sought to improve the lot of Rochester's African American community by organizing youth activities and agitating for positive change. He also became a professional photographer, documenting, with his business partner George Mitchell, the lives of the community of which he had become so vital a part.



From the online exhibit: "Rocky Simmons (1915-1994) was a dynamic presence in Rochester and an iconic figure in the black community for several decades. He was a gifted athlete, an astute politician, the first African-American Court Attendant in Monroe County, an organizer of youth activities, a professional photographer and much more. He was a man who made things happen for the better. Everyone knew Rocky. He described himself as “the last rock standing.” "

Scope and Contents

The Rocky Simmons photographs (1920s-2008) are comprised of photographs originally assembled by Simmons in an album, plus additional materials donated by his children and family. The photos feature Simmons, his family and friends, and various locations central to his life. It also contains photographs he took as a professional photographer, featuring local events, weddings, musicians, sports teams, beauty contests, award ceremonies, and new businesses. The photographs are a unique window on the lives of Rochester's African American community at mid-20th century.



In addition to the photographs, there are newspaper clippings about Rocky's activities, cards and other ephemera.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1920's-2008
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1940-1970

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1 cubic feet

Access

The Rocky Simmons photograph collection is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The materials in the Rocky Simmons photographs collection were donated to RBSCP by members of the Simmons family in 2006. Additional materials were added by the family in 2008.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Rocky Simmons Photographs, D.353, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in seven small series, with assorted subseries, as follows:



Series I: Rocky Simmons and family [dates]

Series II: Athletics

Subseries 1: Baseball

Subeseries 2: Youth Sports

Subseries 3: Other Sports

Series III: Musicians and the Club Scene

Series IV: Politics

Series V: Photographs by Rocky

Series VI: Newspaper Articles and Memorabilia, 1945-1968

Series VII: Additional Materials, 2007-2008

Processing Information

The "Celebrating Rochester's Rocky Simmons: The Life & Photographs of an African American Activist" exhibit was installed in Rush Rhees Library in February 2008. The exhibit was so well received that it was permanently installed in the Monroe County Hall of Justice in October 2008. The collection contains photographs, cds, and other ephemera associated with these exhibits. A digital version of the exhibit is also available online.

The Rocky Simmons photographs collection was first processed in 2008. The finding aid was re-written in 2020 to reflect updated standards.

Title
Rocky Simmons photographs
Status
Completed
Author
Melissa Mead, Lev Earle
Date
10 May 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • May 2020: Finding aid updated in 2020 to include details from the digital exhibit.

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA