Thurgood Marshall Artifacts & Legacy Collection

Explore rare personal belongings and historic artifacts preserved by the Marshall family. Each item offers an intimate glimpse into Thurgood Marshall’s life and legacy, from civil rights attorney to Supreme Court Justice.

Thurgood Marshall's Freemason Ring — Thurgood Marshall's Freemason Ring. In 1951, he became an Active Member of the United Supreme Council, 33°, Prince Hall Affiliation, Southern Jurisdiction. Marshall was also a member of Medina Temple No. 19 of New York City.

Thurgood Marshall's Howard University School of Law Certificate, Elected Chief Justice of the Court of Peers for the academic year 1932-1933. The certificate is signed by Vice Dean Charles Hamilton Houston. Stamped May 11, 1932.

Thurgood Marshall with his sons, Thurgood Marshall Jr. and John Marshall in September 1962

Justice Marshall's Supreme Court of the United States Bench Chair

Thurgood Marshall's Collection of Opinions from the Supreme Court of the United States (Years 1986-1990)

Bulova Accutron Watch — Thurgood Marshall's Bulova Accutron Watch

Justice Marshall's Supreme Court of the United States Bench Chair Name Plate

Thurgood Marshall's Hat, Knox the Hatter, New York City

Thurgood Marshall's Brown Hat, Knox the Hatter, New York City

Thurgood Marshall's Briefcase Interior, carried in the 1950s

Thurgood Marshall's NAACP LDF Business Card

Thurgood Marshall's Briefcase carried in the 1960s

Thurgood Marshall's NAACP Spingarn Medal — Thurgood Marshall's NAACP Spingarn Medal awarded on June 28, 1946

Thurgood Marshall's Briefcase carried in the 1950s

Thurgood Marshall's NAACP Spingarn Medal — Thurgood Marshall's NAACP Spingarn Medal awarded on June 28, 1946

Thurgood Marshall's Philadelphia Liberty Medal — Thurgood Marshall's Philadelphia Liberty Medal received July 1992

Thurgood Marshall and his sons Thurgood Marshall Jr. and John Marshall on vacation, Caneel Bay, St. John, U.S.V.I.

Thurgood Marshall's Stetson Hat

Polaroid of Thurgood Marshall at home in Harlem with his sons, John W. Marshall in his lap and Thurgood Marshall Jr behind, his Aunt Medi, and close family friends Monroe Dowling and Helen Dowling.

Thurgood Marshall's Induction to the United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit Induction Ceremony Booklet. — Thurgood Marshall's Induction to the United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit Induction Ceremony Booklet. Proceedings were held October 23, 1961 in New York.

Thurgood Marshall speaking at the College of the Virgin Islands April 1969.

Thurgood Marshall's Court of Appeals of Maryland 1933 — Thurgood Marshall's Court of Appeals of Maryland Certificate 1933. Certificate reads "I, JAMES A. YOUNG, Clerk of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, do hereby certify that on the eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and thirty-three Thurgood Marshall, Esq., having first taken and subscribed the oath prescribed by the Constitution and Laws of this State, was admitted as an Attorney of said Court, is now in good standing, and as such is entitled to practice the Law in any of the Courts of said State. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk, and affixed the Seal of said Court of Appeals of Maryland, this 21st day of October A.D. 1936"

Thurgood Marshall's Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity membership card — Thurgood Marshall's Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity membership card dated February 1, 1963. Text from card "THIS CERTIFIES THAT THURGOOD MARSHALL (Jydge) Alpha Gamma Lambda CHAPTER IS AN ACTIVE MEMBEER OF ABOVE NAMED CHAPTER ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC."

Thurgood Marshall's certificate of admission the Supreme Court of the United States of America — Thurgood Marshall's certificate of admission as an Attorney and Counsellor of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The certificate is dated December 8, 1939, affixed with a seal of the Supreme Court of the United States of America and signed by the clerk of the Court, Charles Elmore Copley.

Thurgood Marshall's Diploma from Howard University School of Law - Conferred on June 5, 1933

Thurgood Marshall's Diploma from Lincoln University - Conferred on June 3, 1930

Thurgood Marshall's Morgan State College Honorary Doctor of Laws, June 2, 1952

Thurgood Marshall's Morgan State College Honorary Doctor of Laws, June 2, 1952 Commencement Exercises Program

Thurgood Marshall's Morgan State College Honorary Doctor of Laws Cover, June 2, 1952

Thurgood Marshall and Cecilia A. Suyat Marriage Service Page

The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life Book — Thurgood Marshall's personal copy of "The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life" by Charles H. Wesley, Seventh Edition signed "With the fraternal greeting of Charles H. Wesley 1953."

Thurgood Marshall speaking at the unveiling of the statue in his likeness in Baltimore Maryland 1980

Thurgood Marshall's US Passport

Thurgood Marshll's Alpha Phi Alpa Nu Chapter award — Thurgood Marshll's Alpha Phi Alpa Nu Chapter award, awarded by Nu Chapter, Lincoln University, May 1948

Thurgood Marshall's Alpha Phi Alpha Tie Lapel Pin

Thurgood Marshall's Alpha Phi Alpha New York City August 1964 Convention Money Clip