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Nathaniel Mathis Collection of Barbering and Beauty Culture

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Creator
Mathis, Nathaniel, 1946- (barber, motivational speaker)
Interviewer
Ruffins, Fath Davis
Place
Washington (D.C.) -- Small business -- 20th century
Topic
African American barbers
African American beauty operators
Barbers
Barbering
Barbershops -- Equipment and supplies -- 1970-2000 -- Washington (D.C)
Beauty culture
Hair
Hairdressing of African Americans -- 1970-2000 -- Washington (D.C.)
Inventors
Motivation -- Public speaking -- 1970-2000
Public speaking -- 1970-2000
Provenance
Collection donated to the Archives Center, National Museum of American History by Nathaniel Mathis on April 9, 1998.
Creator
Mathis, Nathaniel, 1946- (barber, motivational speaker)
See more items in
Nathaniel Mathis Collection of Barbering and Beauty Culture
Summary
Nathaniel Mathis is a Washington, D.C., hairstylist, inventor, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur. His papers document his business life and community involvement.
Accruals
An additional .3 cubic feet was donated to the Archives Center in 2004; 3 audio cassettes, 1 DVD and 2 mini discs were added in 2006.
Biographical / Historical
"Nat Mathis (b. 1946) is a native Washingtonian. He is a man of many talents and measures his success in many ways: innovative hairstylist, entrepreneur, inventor, community activist, motivational speaker and distance runner. Mathis opened his first barber shop in 1969. He is the winner of many national and international hairstyling awards and competitions and was the first African American to win the International Hair Styling competition in Cairo, Egypt in 1981. Mathis was among the first African American hairstylists to embrace and popularize the Afro and, later, cornrows -- hairstyles which many view as expressions of black empowerment. Mathis himself seldom expresses a political ideology of hair, but by 1970, Nat was known among his many satisfied clients and peers as "the Bush Doctor" for his expertise in Afro style and maintenance. He has styled hair for many celebrities; made numerous television appearances; and has been a stylist for several productions at the Kennedy Center, and for two major motion pictures, including Nixon, for which he re-created period hairstyles. He is active in community affairs, gives motivational speeches throughout the Washington, D.C., area, and is particularly interested in mentoring young people. He currently operates a barber shop adjacent to his home in Capitol Heights, Maryland." *Biographical information provided by Nat Mathis's Official Website, "A Man of Many Talents." http://www.natmathis.com (accessed 02 August, 2006).
Extent
5.5 Cubic feet (18 boxes, 1 oversize folder)
Date
1946-2004
bulk 1970-2004
Archival Repository
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier
NMAH.AC.0641
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Awards
Certificates
Correspondence
Interviews
Oral history
Black-and-white photographic prints
Videotapes
Citation
Nathaniel Mathis Collection of Barbering and Beauty Culture, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into ten series. Series 1: Biographical Information and Activities, 1946-2001, undated Series 2: Beauty Business Documents and Advertising, 1969-2002, undated Series 3: Publicity, 1963-2002 Series 4: Washington, D.C. Barbering and Cosmetology Boards, 1966-1997, undated Series 5: Correspondence, 1967-2002, undated Series 6: Awards and Certificates, 1969-2001, undated Series 7: Photographs, 1966-1989, undated Series 8: Video Materials, 1983-2002, undated Series 9: Audio Tapes, 1998-2004, undated Series 10: Memorabilia, 1992-1998, undated
Processing Information
Processed by Mimi Minnick, archivist, 1998.
Rights
Copyright held by the Smithsonian Institution. Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: fees for commercial use. The Archives Center does not own rights to the patent, trademark or any related interest in the artifacts.
Genre/Form
Awards
Certificates
Correspondence -- 1970-2000
Interviews -- 1980-2000
Interviews -- 2000-2010
Oral history -- 1990-2000
Black-and-white photographic prints -- Silver gelatin -- 1950-2000
Videotapes
Scope and Contents
The collection documents the work of a hairstylist, inventor, entrepreneur, and public figure whose career reflects significant changes in the African American community in the later 20th century. It is rich in visual imagery created by and for this community. Business papers, correspondence, publicity, photographs, awards and certificates documenting Mathis's work as a highly regarded barber and hairstylist in Washington, D.C., and as member of the D.C. Board of Barbering and Cosmetology are included. Business papers offer insight into the workings of a small privately-owned business. Numerous publicity items and photographs offer evidence of African American style and fashion in New York and Washington, D.C., from the late 1960s through today. Additional material documents Mathis's activities as a community activist, motivational speaker and distance runner. The collection also includes photographs, oral history interviews, and audio-visual materials.
Restrictions
The copllection is open for research. Physical Access: Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves. Technical Access: Series 8, Video materials and Series 9, Audiotapes may not be used by researchers unless reference and viewing copies are made available.
Separated Materials
Mr. Mathis donated three of his patented barbering vests (See Accession # 1998.0114) to the Division of Home and Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life).
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503510067717-1503510067725-0
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8c5b4bd0f-53cd-4a97-b4ba-930fe65c5330

In the Collection

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  • Publicity

  • Nat Mathis spraying hair of woman with Afro-Sheen : photoprint

  • Nat the Bush Doctor and the Hands black and white photoprint

  • Beauty Documents and Advertising

  • Photographs

  • Nat the Bush Doctor photoprint

  • The C Thing, January 1970

  • National Men's Hairstyling Show, New York City

  • Celebrities

  • Motivational seminar

  • Baltimore TV show, early 1970s

  • Deane Avenue shop, Washington, D.C.

  • Examples of Work

  • Nat's Beauty Center, Washington, D.C.

  • Stereophonics

  • Soft Sheen demonstrations

  • Licensing & Certifications

  • Trade Mark Registration

  • Professional portraits

  • Bush Doctor products

  • Mathis for Afro-Sheen products, 1970s

  • Advertising and Promotional Items

  • Afro-American Hair Festival, Senegal

  • Mathis Hair Care Team, Vine Street

  • Barber's Apron: patent, manufacturing and marketing, 1974-1980, undated

  • The Prince George's Sentinel, August 21, 2001

  • Job Opportunities, November 18, 1986

  • Audio Tapes

  • Education Awards

  • Festival Internationale de la Coiffure, Cairo, Egypt

  • Nat the Bush Doctor, County Council, February 28, 1984. Mathis recognized for achievements as inventor of Barber's Apron and as a leading hairstylist in metropolitan Washington.

  • Metro Connection, 5/14/99, "Nathaniel Mathis, The Cut Creator is Added to Smithsonian Collection," p. 5

  • Oversize Clippings

  • Theater & Performance

  • The Eagles; The Bush Doctor, September 5

  • "Kiddie" Events and other children's events

  • Teaching and demonstrations

  • Barber & Cosmetology Board Meeting, August 10

  • Unforgettable Fashion Festival Featuring Women Over Forty, May 13, 1984. Endorses Soft Sheen products.

  • Ethnic Hair Care Training Video, tape 1, July 1999. Created for the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) at the Navsea Shipyard Instructional Design Center. Includes an introduction and instructions on creating the Quo Vadis cut and the Standard High and Tight. 32 minutes.

  • Prince George's Sentinel, 4/1/99, "Bush Doctor Honored by Smithsonian"

  • Booking Advertisements, undated Mini discs

  • Prince George's Journal, 3/24/99, "Barber Cut His Way Into History"

  • The Gazette (Landover edition), 5/27/99, "Bush Doctor's Hair-Raising Trend"

  • Festival Mondial de la Coiffure, Paris

  • Shades of Beauty, December 2001

  • Motivational speaking: Jefferson Junior High School, December 3

  • Portrait of a Professional: The Nat the Bush Doctor story as told to Jim Link, alternate manuscript

  • Black Hair Olympics

  • Masters: A Personal Journey to Success, undated

  • Prince George's County Times, 5/7/99, "Smithsonian Honors Local Hair Guru"

  • Road races and sporting events

  • Education -- high school, college, graduation speeches

  • Appointment to Washington, D.C. Barber Examiners Board, 1987

  • Budweiser "Jammin' for Education," November 2001

  • News clippings re: The Bush Doctor

  • Political and other pins

  • Motivational speaking: Prince George's Community College, The Dynamics of Feeling Good About Yourself, November 18

  • Construction on Vine Street shop, Capitol Heights, MD

  • Interview with Fath Davis Ruffins, 31 July 1998- 4 August 1998 4 tapes

  • Nat the Bush Doctor's Beauty Center: salon philosophy

  • Biographical Information and Activities

  • Black History, Woodbridge Library, February 24

  • Shampoo Magazine

  • Portrait of a Professional publicity shots

  • Motivational Speaking -- Oversize

  • "From Hair to the Throne: The Nat The Bush Doctor Story," undated DVD

  • Goodie Bags

  • Competition, NYC

  • Nat's Graduation, May 31, 2001

  • Television appearances - Oversize

  • Marine Corp Marathon

  • Correspondence, Young School

  • The Shore Times, 5/14/99, "Smithsonian Honors Maryland Hair Guru"

  • Airplane, Undated

  • Miss Black D.C.

  • Nat's Run, Jane Fonda's Workout, Karate Kid

  • Other Road Races

  • Correspondence, Washington, D.C. Board of Barber Examiners, 1987-1997

  • CTV News, February 20

  • Barber & Cosmetology Board Meeting, May 2

  • Interview with Fath Davis Ruffins, 13 October 1998 3 tapes

  • National Conference of Negro Women Black Family Reunion, 1981

  • The Gazette, May 31

  • The Bev Smith Show, Radio One Interview with Nat Mathis, April 6

  • Correspondence

  • Soft Sheen retreat, Bahamas

  • Sammy J. Show

  • Hair Care Newsletter

  • Washington, D.C. Barbering and Cosmetology Boards

  • Cut and Color, Volume 4, 2001

  • Unidentified people and places

  • Family and personal photographs

  • Biographical Materials

  • MsTique Magazine

  • The Annapolis Times, 5/14/99, "Smithsonian Honors Maryland Hair Guru"

  • Miscellaneous Oversize Awards, 1971-2001, Undated

  • Kenilworth Junior High, undated

  • Articles

  • Washington DC Barber & Cosmetology Act of 1990

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Licensing & Certifications
View Slideshow
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer
View Finding aid

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