Finding Aid: Roberts Family Collection

Herman Roberts (1923–2021) was an entrepreneur, nightclub owner, and community leader who helped shape mid-century Chicago. Born in Oklahoma, he moved to the South Side in the 1940s and built businesses ranging from a cab fleet to motels, a bowling alley, and oil wells on his family’s land. He’s best remembered for founding the Roberts Show Lounge, one of the first Black-owned, first-class, non-segregated nightclubs in the nation. The Lounge became a landmark where stars such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dinah Washington, and Duke Ellington performed, and where Chicagoans from different backgrounds came together to dance and celebrate. Alongside his business ventures, Roberts was also a filmmaker of everyday life. His home movies capture both the glamour of nightlife and the joy of family gatherings, offering a beautiful record of Black joy and play in the mid-20th century.

Recreation is at the heart of the Roberts Collection. The films capture the ways Herman Roberts, his family, and his community carved out moments of joy and connection, whether at home, at the pool, or at the show lounge. They show leisure as a lived experience, full of energy, play, and togetherness. Soundtracking these clips is "It’s Magic" by Della Reese, who performed at the Roberts Show Club. For more of Recreation, check out reels SSHMP.2021.ROBERTS.00004–00010.

Going out in the 1950s and 1960s was an occasion to dress up, and the Roberts films capture that perfectly. From sparkling gowns to sharp suits, people took care in how they presented themselves for a night out. Together, the clips reflect the style, spirit, and atmosphere of nightlife on the South Side. Soundtracking these clips is "What a Diff’rence a Day Made" by Dinah Washington.For more of Clothing and Dress, check out reels SSHMP.2021.ROBERTS.00012–00015.

Entertainment pulses through this collection, especially at the Roberts Show Lounge. The reels capture live performances, dancing, and themed nights, giving a sense of the energy and excitement of South Side nightlife. During the era of Jim Crow, the Show Club offered Black performers a dignified space to play and welcomed audiences of all backgrounds, hosting events like mambo nights, western nights, and the drag show The Jewel Box Revue. It was a rare and inclusive space where people could come together, enjoy live music, and dance freely.Soundtracking these clips is "Something’s Gotta Give" by Sammy Davis Jr. For more of Entertainment, check out reels SSHMP.2021.ROBERTS.00005–00012.

Herman Roberts loved ranch life and returned to Oklahoma often during the years these films were made. An avid horse rider, he and his family are seen tending to animals, riding, and enjoying time at the ranch. The reels show them relaxing, playing, and spending time together outdoors, offering a glimpse of everyday life away from the city.Soundtracking these clips is "In a Sentimental Mood" by Duke Ellington. For more of Outdoors, check out reels SSHMP.2021.ROBERTS.00019–00027.