This collection contains the photographs from the life and work of Reverend Robert E. Penn, a Baptist minister and educator. Penn was born in a rural coal mining town in West Virginia, and went on to receive degrees from Clark College, Gammon Theological Seminary, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain during World War II, and later after his pastoral work in Kansas City, Kansas, and Gary, Indiana, Penn returned to Atlanta to become Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1973. These photographs document Rev. Penns family life and friend in West Virginia, Indiana, and Georgia, as well as his work as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, and Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
Jun 5, 2019

Robert E. Penn Collection

This collection contains the photographs from the life and work of Reverend Robert E. Penn, a Baptist minister and educator. Penn was born in a rural coal mining town in West Virginia, and went on to receive degrees from Clark College, Gammon Theological Seminary, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain during World War II, and later after his pastoral work in Kansas City, Kansas, and Gary, Indiana, Penn returned to Atlanta to become Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in 1973. These photographs document Rev. Penns family life and friend in West Virginia, Indiana, and Georgia, as well as his work as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana, and Director of Field Education at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
114 Objects displayed
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An unidentified group sits next to a piano in a living room.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Group Next to a Piano, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1979
Description
An unidentified group sits next to a piano in a living room.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn (left) gathers with an unidentified group around a table covered with papers. Written on verso: "May 1972"
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn with Others, May 1, 1972
Date Created
1972-05-01
Description
Robert E. Penn (left) gathers with an unidentified group around a table covered with papers. Written on verso: "May 1972"
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy and an Irish Setter shake hands.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Irish Setter Shaking Hands with a Boy, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy and an Irish Setter shake hands.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy chases an Irish Setter through a living room.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy Chases Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy chases an Irish Setter through a living room.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy crouches down to hug an Irish Setter.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy Hugs an Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy crouches down to hug an Irish Setter.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An Irish Setter stands at attention for a young boy.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Irish Setter Standing, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An Irish Setter stands at attention for a young boy.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl lays on the floor and hugs an Irish Setter.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Snuggling with Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl lays on the floor and hugs an Irish Setter.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl lays on the floor and hugs an Irish Setter.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Snuggling with Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl lays on the floor and hugs an Irish Setter.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy chases an Irish Setter through a living room past a young girl.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy Chases Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy chases an Irish Setter through a living room past a young girl.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girls stands in a living room.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Standing in Living room, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girls stands in a living room.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy and woman stand next to a Cadillac car.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy and Woman Stand by a Cadillac, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy and woman stand next to a Cadillac car.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American families
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl stands in a doorway.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Standing in Doorway, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl stands in a doorway.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified boy and woman stand next to a Cadillac car.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy and Woman Stand by a Cadillac, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified boy and woman stand next to a Cadillac car.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American families
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified man sits on a couch in a living room.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Man Sits on a Couch, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified man sits on a couch in a living room.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl feeds an Irish Setter a treat.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Irish Setter Receiving a Treat, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl feeds an Irish Setter a treat.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl sits in a chair holding a book with an Irish Setter beside her.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Sits with an Irish Setter, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl sits in a chair holding a book with an Irish Setter beside her.
Subject
Pets, African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified girl bends down to pick something up off the floor.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Bending Down, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
Unidentified girl bends down to pick something up off the floor.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified girl holds out a paddle ball.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Girl Holds a Paddle Ball, circa 1972
Date Created
1969/1975
Description
An unidentified girl holds out a paddle ball.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Harrison Jordon and an unidentified neighbor girl stand outside of a house.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Harrison Jordon and Girl Stand Together, circa 1968
Date Created
1965/1970
Description
Harrison Jordon and an unidentified neighbor girl stand outside of a house.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of a young woman wearing a cap and gown. The photo has been personalized to a Rev. [Robert] Penn. Written on verso: To Rev. [Robert] Penn with deep appreciation, Mary Alice "61".
Robert E. Penn Collection
Graduation of Mary Alice, 1961
Date Created
1961
Description
Portrait of a young woman wearing a cap and gown. The photo has been personalized to a Rev. [Robert] Penn. Written on verso: To Rev. [Robert] Penn with deep appreciation, Mary Alice "61".
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Events and programs
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Left to Right: James P. Brawley, Robert E. Penn, and an unidentified man and woman wear commencement caps & gowns.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn with Others, circa 1962
Date Created
1960/1965
Description
Left to Right: James P. Brawley, Robert E. Penn, and an unidentified man and woman wear commencement caps & gowns.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
James K. Jordon (nephew of Robert E. Penn) in military uniform walks down the street in France.
Robert E. Penn Collection
James K. Jordon, circa 1963
Date Created
1960/1965
Description
James K. Jordon (nephew of Robert E. Penn) in military uniform walks down the street in France.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Two men stand outside of a large building. Written on verso: "Clark College new bldg. 1960."
Robert E. Penn Collection
New Building at Clark College, 1960
Date Created
1960
Description
Two men stand outside of a large building. Written on verso: "Clark College new bldg. 1960."
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn with a Young Woman, circa 1960
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house. Another unidentified person stands in the doorway.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn with a Young Woman, circa 1960
Date Created
1957/1963
Description
Robert E. Penn and a young woman stand in front of a house. Another unidentified person stands in the doorway.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Rober E. Penn and an unidentified woman work in an office at the First Baptist Church of Gary. Written on verso: "Me & my boss"
Robert E. Penn Collection
Robert E. Penn and a Woman Sit at a Desk, circa 1958
Date Created
1955/1960
Description
Rober E. Penn and an unidentified woman work in an office at the First Baptist Church of Gary. Written on verso: "Me & my boss"
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Two unidentified women stand behind a bar counter.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Women Behind a Counter, circa 1955
Date Created
1952/1958
Description
Two unidentified women stand behind a bar counter.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
A portrait of an unidentified man. He is smiling and wearing a suit and tie.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of an Unidentified Man, circa 1950
Date Created
1948/1953
Description
A portrait of an unidentified man. He is smiling and wearing a suit and tie.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified group gathered in a room for a portrait.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Church Group, circa 1950
Date Created
1947/1953
Description
An unidentified group gathered in a room for a portrait.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified group of people gather in three rows in front of a stage for a portrait. Council of Religious Education. Written on verso: Council of Rel. Ed.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Council of Religious Education, circa 1950
Date Created
1947/1953
Description
An unidentified group of people gather in three rows in front of a stage for a portrait. Council of Religious Education. Written on verso: Council of Rel. Ed.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
A group of unidentified women gather around a pew. Written on verso: Good Samaritan.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Women in Pews, circa 1948
Date Created
1945/1951
Description
A group of unidentified women gather around a pew. Written on verso: Good Samaritan.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American churches
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified man is leans on a car on a downtown street.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Man Standing Next to a Car, circa 1948
Date Created
1945/1951
Description
An unidentified man is leans on a car on a downtown street.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
A well-dressed unidentified man stands in front of a house. Next to him is a stone wall. In the house, another unidentified man is entering the house through a door.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Man Standing in Front of a House, circa 1948
Date Created
1945/1951
Description
A well-dressed unidentified man stands in front of a house. Next to him is a stone wall. In the house, another unidentified man is entering the house through a door.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands on the sidewalk next to a store.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Woman Standing Outside of a Shop, circa 1948
Date Created
1945/1951
Description
An unidentified woman stands on the sidewalk next to a store.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified well dressed group of two men and one woman stand in a living room. The woman is holding up an envelope.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Group, circa 1948
Date Created
1945/1951
Description
An unidentified well dressed group of two men and one woman stand in a living room. The woman is holding up an envelope.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Three unidentified women sit in a booth drinking and smoking cigarettes.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Women in a Bar, circa 1948
Date Created
1944/1952
Description
Three unidentified women sit in a booth drinking and smoking cigarettes.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Interior decoration
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
A group of unidentified people sit huddled around a table. Several young women are writing on paper. A woman talks on the phone, and several unidentified people stand over them, looking on. A typewriter sits on the end of the table in front of a man and a woman. Written on verso: Newspaper staff.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Newspaper Staff, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
A group of unidentified people sit huddled around a table. Several young women are writing on paper. A woman talks on the phone, and several unidentified people stand over them, looking on. A typewriter sits on the end of the table in front of a man and a woman. Written on verso: Newspaper staff.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of a young boy wearing a suit and tie. Written on verso: "Harold"
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of a Boy, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
Portrait of a young boy wearing a suit and tie. Written on verso: "Harold"
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified little girl, possibly named Patricia is sitting in front of a backdrop. Written on verso: "Patricia"
Robert E. Penn Collection
Patricia Sitting in Front of Portrait Backdrop, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
An unidentified little girl, possibly named Patricia is sitting in front of a backdrop. Written on verso: "Patricia"
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
The front entrance of the First Baptist Church of Gary.
Robert E. Penn Collection
First Baptist Church of Gary, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
The front entrance of the First Baptist Church of Gary.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Buildings and grounds, African American churches
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified little boy stands in front of an house on the sidewalk.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Boy Standing on a Sidewalk, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
An unidentified little boy stands in front of an house on the sidewalk.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
A portrait of an unidentified girl seated in front of a backdrop.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of an Unidentified Girl, circa 1945
Date Created
1942/1948
Description
A portrait of an unidentified girl seated in front of a backdrop.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands outside behind a house with a steep staircase.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Houses and Staircase, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
An unidentified woman stands outside behind a house with a steep staircase.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands on a dirt road.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Woman Standing on the Side of the Road, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
An unidentified woman stands on a dirt road.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Buildings and grounds
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Two unidentified children sit in the grass of in front of an unidentified house.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Children Sitting in the Grass, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
Two unidentified children sit in the grass of in front of an unidentified house.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, Children
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified man in uniform stands on a porch, holding a small baby.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Uniformed Man Holds an Infant, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
An unidentified man in uniform stands on a porch, holding a small baby.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands at the top of a staircase on a stone hillside with houses in the background.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Woman on Stairs, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
An unidentified woman stands at the top of a staircase on a stone hillside with houses in the background.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of an unidentified woman smiling in front of a backdrop.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Portrait of an Unidentified Woman, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
Portrait of an unidentified woman smiling in front of a backdrop.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
Three boys stand next to a crouching baseball catcher.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Three Boys Stand Next to a Baseball Catcher, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
Three boys stand next to a crouching baseball catcher.
Subject
African American athletes
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection
An unidentified woman stands on a house porch.
Robert E. Penn Collection
Unidentified Woman on Steps, circa 1942
Date Created
1939/1945
Description
An unidentified woman stands on a house porch.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people
Collection
Robert E. Penn Collection