Skip to content

Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Pool Baptism I

1995

United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
Visit the source record ↗

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black-and-white photograph by Kenneth Royster of a pool baptism. The foreground of the image shows a group in a pool. Most of the individuals are wearing white button-down shirts, white pants, and black bow ties and belts in the water. There is one (1) woman, wearing white in the water on the right side. On the left is a religious figure wearing a black garment and cap. The people are facing different directions and helping to submerge individuals in the water to be baptized. In the background, a group of musicians is standing along the pool edge. They are wearing white shirts, pants, and shoes, and black ties. A few are holding trombones and there is a tuba and drum set in back. There are some spectators behind the musicians. The edge of the negative is partially visible around the image. There is a numerical inscription on the reverse.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2018.41.13

Continue exploring Series 1

Arts, Music & Culture →Everyday Life & Community →

Explore all Series 1 cards →