CNN Story Features Images from Special Collections

Photo Submitted

L to R: William Brewer, U.S. Chargé d’affaires; Ellington; Mr. Pardes, Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture Protocol Department. Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville. CU Box 345 Folder 10.

CNN featured two images from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Historical Collection (MC468) for the story, “Remembering the Good Days in Kabul,” which aired on Erin Burnett OutFront on Dec. 13, 2012. The photographs of Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck visiting Afghanistan begin at 0:05.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Historical Collection (MC468) documents the development of U.S. international educational and cultural exchange activities, including the Fulbright Program. Organized in 1961 within the Department of State, the bureau was responsible for administering the principal provisions of the Fulbright-Hays Act. It functioned as a part of the State Department until 1978 when it merged with the United States Information Agency. The collection was presented to the University of Arkansas by the United States Information Agency in the spring of 1983. The collection comprises 366 linear feet of correspondence, reports, studies, minutes, photographs, publications, audiovisual materials, and other records concerning various international exchange programs, dated circa 1938-1983. Files pertain to academic exchanges; the International Visitor Program for foreign leaders in government, communications, education, and labor; cultural presentations for both the performing arts and athletics; and private agencies cooperating with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

CNN learned about the images from the online exhibit, “In Small Things Remembered: The Early Years of U.S.-Afghan Relations,” organized by the Meridian International Center with support from the U.S. Department of State. Vera Ekechukwu, research assistant for Fulbright-related collections in the university's special collections, worked with the center to include the image of Duke Ellington in Afghanistan. For more information, contact the special collections department at 479-575-8444 or specoll@uark.edu or Vera Ekechukwu at ekechukw@uark.edu.