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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

Pages

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  • Memorabilia

  • Black History Month 2002: Gift Bag and Contents

  • Oversize Advertising

  • Partners in Communication Junior Speakers Program

  • Personal Identification Materials

  • Hair Story, Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America (Anyana D. Byrd and Lori L Tharps)

  • Nat Mathis Collection Interview, August 9, 2004 3 tapes

  • Motivational Speaking Booklets

  • The Prince George's Sentinel, May 24, 2001

  • Nat the Bush Doctor and the Hands, ca. 1970s

  • Miscellaneous Pins, Name Badges

  • Motivational speaking: Thompson Elementary (2 classes; 5th & 6th graders), March 11

  • Where Washington, November 1999, "They Said Eureka," p. 18

  • Barber & Cosmetology Board Meeting, September 13

  • Notes on Videotapes

  • Barbering Awards, 1990-2000, Undated

  • Petey Greene Show, late 1970s

  • "Nat Mathis Game of Life" playing pieces

  • Nat's Hair Care Clinic and School of Beauty, statement of capability, 1980

  • News clippings re: Athletics

  • NBC, February

  • News Release

  • Athletics Awards, 1960 - 1977

  • Motivational speaking: Woodson Junior High School, February 18

  • Explosion of Beauty, February 1982

  • Appointment Books

  • Portrait of a Professional: The Nat the Bush Doctor story as told to Jim Link, manuscripts, 1986, undated

  • The Eagles; The Bush Doctor; Mikal Huda Bath, October 29

  • Television appearances

  • Cameroon

  • Video Materials

  • CTV News, May 31

  • The Dancing Barbers, April 1970

  • Big Beautiful Show

  • Portrait of a Professional: The Nat the Bush Doctor story as told to Jim Link, book and publisher information, 1986-2001

  • Unforgettable Fashion Festival: Part 1, November 27

  • Community Demonstrations and Motivational Speaking, 1970-2001

  • Awards and Ceremonies

  • Barber & Cosmetology Board Meeting, November 25

  • Marine Corps Marathon

  • Color Me Poetry, 1999. Bowie State University Television. Host Danny Queen interviews hair stylist/entrepreneurs James and Arnita Wyse, Alfred Dudley and Nat Mathis about changes they have seen during their long careers in the hair care business. 60 minutes.

  • Correspondence

  • Correspondence

  • Barbering Awards

  • Congressional Black Caucus

  • Appointment to Washington D.C. Barber & Cosmetology Board, 1993

  • Barbering Awards

  • The Dynamics of Feeling Good About Yourself, undated 3 copies

  • Harambee Show, August 1970

  • Educational & Trade Shows

  • Documents pertaining to leases, taxes and occupancy, 1969-2000

  • Prince George's Post, 6/15/99, "Smithsonian Exhibit Honors Local Barber"

  • Religious Life

  • Medals, Undated

  • Barber & Cosmetology Board Meeting, May 10

  • Natural Hairstyles

  • Ethnic Hair Care Training Video, tape 2, 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 Medium Regular, the High and Tight and the Light Trim hairstyle. 35 minutes.

  • London

  • Making a Difference, April 24, 1999. UPN 20 WDCA Washington. Host Lisa Weir interviews Nat Mathis about his career as a trendsetter in the hair care industry.

  • News clippings re: Politics and Community

  • Awards and Certificates

  • Officials

  • Crowd Scene

  • San Francisco

  • Correspondence

  • Feeling the Spirit

  • Interview with Fath Davis Ruffins, 15 September 1998 2 tapes

  • Correspondence

  • Motivational speaking: Bladensburg Junior High School, Part II, undated

  • Nat the Bush Doctor's School of Beauty: curriculum

  • Articles

  • Hair and Fashion Shows

  • Bowie Star, 2/10/00, "Renowned Creator of Afro Hairstyle Offers a Check Up from the Neck Up" p. A5

  • Correspondence, Soft Sheen

  • Emerge, July/August 1999, "The Bush Doctor is Still In," p. 16

  • Harambee Show, late 1970s

  • Feeling Good about Yourself

  • The Carole Henson Show, February 1970

  • Business Papers -- Oversize

  • Business Papers

  • Jasper: Ethnic Hair Care Procedures for the U.S. Fleet in Sasebo, Japan

  • Correspondence

  • Demonstrations

  • Shades of Beauty, March/April 2000

  • Toastmasters

  • Shades of Beauty, June 1999, "A Natural History," p. 54

  • Soft Sheen demonstrations in Nigeria

  • Prince George's Community College course catalogue and registration papers

  • Fantasy Competition

  • Statement on Bill 9-290

  • Barber's vest

  • Statement on Barber & Beauty Act

  • The Fred Thomas Show, NBC, 1985

Pages

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Licensing & Certifications
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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.
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