Scope and Content
The Boyd Hinds Papers reflect a lifelong commitment to civil rights activism in Hartford, Connecticut. This collection contains significant archival materials of Education/Instruccion, a civil rights organization founded in 1970 to work against institutionalized racism in the city of Hartford. Specifically, its members conducted research on discrimination in education, and investigated civil rights abuses in Hartford’s real estate, insurance, and banking industries. The collection includes transcripts and audio tapes from investigations into local market practices such as redlining, and the compliance of Hartford’s realtors with Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, better known as the Fair Housing Act. It also includes documentation used in legal challenges to the discrimination they found, and publicity materials the organization used to educate the public about institutional racism. Boyd Hinds served as a state representative of Hartford’s 8th Assembly District from 1976-1980, and the collection includes documentation from his time in office as well.
Dates
- 1970-1987
Access Restrictions
The records are stored in a restricted area and therefore may not be available on a same-day basis.
Use Restrictions
See Hartford History Center’s Collection Use policy. Permission to publish from the Collection must be obtained in writing from the Executive Director of the Hartford History Center, and a copy of the published work may be requested by the Hartford History Center. The Hartford History Center reserves the right to refuse permission to publish, etc. to those who have not complied with its policies. Use of the collections will normally not be permitted for the purpose of promotion of commercial products and services or political campaigns. Hartford History Center at Hartford Public Library reserves the right to limit the number of photographic prints/captures and to restrict the use or reproduction of rare, fragile, or valuable objects.
Biographical Note
Born in 1939 in raised in a Hartford suburb, Boyd Hinds (1939-1988) graduated Amherst College in 1961. After graduation, he married wife Wendy Hinds, and initially entered an executive training program with the New York Telephone Company. A two-year stint in the navy (1963-1965) confronted Hinds with the disparity between officers and enlisted men, a consciousness he brought with him when he arrived in the city of Hartford in 1970. Hinds taught English at Kingswood School before joining faculty at Westledge School in Simsbury. There he met Ben Dixon and Julia Ramos with whom he would co-found and co-direct Education/Instruccion beginning in 1970. Together, Hinds, Dixon and Ramos conducted research and led initiatives to combat racism within institutional structures, including the real estate, banking and insurance industries. Hinds served as a state representative of Hartford’s 8th Assembly District from 1976 to 1980. After leaving office, he continued his work with Education/Instruccion until his death in 1988.
Extent
20 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Papers of civil rights activist Boyd Hinds, including archival materials of Education/Instruccion. The collection focuses on institutionalized racism as reflected in education, housing and finance policy and practices in the city of Hartford in the 1970-1987 time period as well as Hinds' career as a state representative 1976-1980.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series, topically and chronologically.
Physical Location
Hartford History Center Closed Stacks
Accruals
The collection is closed. Additional accruals are not expected.
Processing Details
EAD Finding Aid created May 2018.
- Title
- Boyd Hinds Papers
- Subtitle
- A Guide to the collection at the Hartford History Center
- Date
- May 2018
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hartford History Center Repository
Hartford History Center
Hartford Public Library
500 Main St
Hartford CT 06103 USA
860.695.6297
hhc@hplct.org