Archival Collections
The Chicago Public Library’s archival collections document the lives and activities of people and organizations in Chicago.
Abbott, Robert S. - John H. Sengstacke Family Papers. Dates: 1847-1997. Size: 179 linear feet. Accession #2007/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Robert S. Abbott founded the Chicago Defender in 1905; his nephew John H. Sengstacke took over the family’s newspapers upon Abbott’s death in 1940. The papers trace the Abbott-Sengstacke family history from the mid-19th century in Georgia through Abbott’s move to Chicago and creation of a journalistic empire, to the death of Sengstacke in 1997. The papers are arranged in three superseries: Robert Abbott, John Sengstacke and Myrtle Sengstacke. Extensive documentation of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Chicago Defender, the Pittsburgh Courier, the Michigan Chronicle, Provident Hospital and the political history of Chicago is included. The papers feature correspondence, manuscripts, organizational and subject research files, biographical materials, programs, clippings and memorabilia. A large collection of photographs is being processed and will be available at a later date. [Finding aid]
Abstracts of Title Collection. Dates: 1853-1952, most documents are from the late 19th century. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The collection consists of records for selected lots in Ravenswood, Lake View and Ravenswood Manor. [Processed]
Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago Archives. Dates: 1980-2003. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2000/12. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago was formed to preserve and perpetuate the historic records of African American ancestors and to promote the study of history and genealogy. The collection contains organizational files, annual reports, conference files, reports, family newsletters, reunion books and funeral programs. [Partially processed]
Albritton, Jesse Lee Papers. Dates: 1940-1965. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2010/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Jesse Lee Albritton was a Chicago-based labor organizer and author of regular columns featured throughout the 1940s and 1950s in the Chicago Crusader and Federation News. [Unprocessed]
Algren, Nelson Collection. Dates: 1933-1988. Size: 8 linear feet; 6 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection originally was developed for a 1985 Special Collections exhibition on Nelson Algren. Materials include journals, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, posters and photographs by and about Algren. [Finding aid]
Alkalimat, Abdul Papers. Dates: 1981-2005. Size: 33 linear feet. Accession #1983/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This collection predominantly consists of conference papers, articles, speeches and unpublished manuscripts written and collected by Abdul Alkalimat while he was director of African American studies at the University of Illinois-Urbana. Recent additions include a clipping file on Harold Washington, and materials on black studies and the Internet. [Partially processed]
Allen, Barbara E. Papers. Dates: 1915-2010. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #2005/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Barbara Allen produced, directed and co-wrote the Emmy-winning documentary Paper Trail: 100 Years of the Chicago Defender. The film was broadcast on WTTW, a Chicago PBS affiliate. The collection consists of research materials, original uncut videotaped interviews, audiotaped interviews and complete interview transcripts from the documentary. Interview subjects include then-Senator Barack Obama, Emil Jones, Col. Eugene Scott, Bobby Sengstacke, Timuel Black, Roland Martin, Theresa Fambro-Hooks, Earl Calloway and Lonnie Bunch. [Finding aid]
Allen, Claudia Collection. Dates: 1985-1991. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection documents the work of Claudia Allen, a Chicago playwright. Includes scripts and production information. [Processed]
American Federation of Musicians. Chicago Chapter Files. Dates: 1928-1979. Size: 69 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Contains deceased members files (1940-1979), photocopied minutes of the trial board (1928-1938), annual meetings (1938-1965) and board of directors (1930-1965) of Local 208. [Partially processed]
AMF Midway Postal Retirement Organization Archives. Dates: 1955-2005. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2006/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. These workers were the first African Americans allowed to work at Midway Airport’s AMF postal facility. They later worked on trains, distributing mail throughout the Midwest. The AMF Midway Postal Retirement Organization was founded in 1991 to document the history of African Americans in the organization. The collection contains administrative records, newsletters, photographs, reports, diagrams and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Amos, Wally Papers. Dates: 1978-1996. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1979/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Wally Amos, entrepreneur, speaker, actor and writer from Tallahassee, Fla., is the founder of the Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie brand. The collection consists of correspondence, draft copies of manuscripts, memorabilia, awards and books. [Processed]
Amundsen High School Collection. Dates: 1931-1981. Size: 2.75 linear feet; 7 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Opened in 1930 as a junior high school, Amundsen sits in Winnemac Park at Damen and Foster avenues. The records from the school consist of PTA yearbooks, newspaper clippings, programs from school events and miscellaneous issues of the school’s newspaper and yearbook. [Processed]
Anderson, Goldwin E. Collection. Dates: 1937-1938. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. This scrapbook collection documents Austin social organizations and prominent neighborhood residents. [Finding aid]
Anderson, Maceo Papers. Dates: 1940-1985. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1991/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Maceo Anderson was one of the original members of the legendary Four Step Brothers, an early African American act on television. The papers consist of a scrapbook documenting their career. [Processed]
Archdiocese of Chicago/Black History Educational Program Archives. Dates: 1966-1968. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1992/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The collection consists of reel-to-reel audiotapes on African American history and literature created by the Archdiocese. [Processed]
Arnold, Charles Dudley, Photographic Collection. Dates: 1891-1893. Size: 1,091 photographic plates. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, World’s Columbian Exposition Collection. This visual record of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, photographed by official fair photographer C.D. Arnold, documents construction of the fair and interiors and exteriors of the major buildings. Arnold also made general views of the Exposition. [Finding aid]
Art Ensemble of Chicago Papers, see Moye, Don/Art Ensemble of Chicago Papers.
Asian American Small Business Association Collection. Dates: 1990s. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Established by Charlie Soo in 1979, the Asian American Small Business Association seeks to encourage economic development in the area near Argyle and Broadway streets. Activities of the association are documented through annual reports and files on special events. [Processed]
Associated Clubs of Woodlawn. Dates: 1927-1971. Size: 4 linear feet; 1 photograph. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. Papers of an association promoting business, civic, educational and social welfare in Woodlawn. [Finding aid]
Atkinson Photograph Collection, see Mason, Grace Papers/Atkinson Photograph Collection.
Austin Community Collection. Dates: 1860-1981. Size: 4.5 linear feet; 300 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Austin Daughters of the American Revolution Papers. Dates: 1930-1938. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Austin High School Collection. Dates: 1879-1971. Size: 2 linear feet; 17 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Austin Newspaper Collection. Dates: 1876-1980. Size: 5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Austin Woman’s Club Records. Dates: 1912-1965. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Austin Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Avondale, see Logan Square Community Collection.
Back of the Yards Collection. Dates: 1937-1983. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Materials relating to the Back of the Yards community, including news clippings, historical sketches and microfilm reels of the Back of the Yards Journal and Back of the Yards Council scrapbooks. [Finding aid]
Bacon, Warren and Mary Papers. Dates: 1951-1995. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2009/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Warren Bacon was a prominent Chicago civic leader and member of the Chicago Board of Education. Bacon opposed the policies of Chicago Public Schools superintendent Benjamin Willis. The papers include photographs and documents from Warren’s career and from his wife, Mary, and from their membership in the Great Black Book Club. [Unprocessed]
Bailiwick Repertory Archives. Dates: 1982-present. Size: 92.5 linear feet, including photographs and videotapes (see Chicago Theater Videotape Collection). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection documents the production history and the artistic and administrative mission of Bailiwick Repertory. Significant records document the development of the theater’s Pride Performance Series. [Processed]
Balaban and Katz Collection. Dates: 1900s-1940s. Size: 1,382 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. More than 26,000 scores for dance band/theatre orchestra arrangements with individual parts. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Processed]
Baldwin, E. Eugene Collection. Dates: 1987. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection documents the career of E. Eugene Baldwin, a Chicago playwright. Collection includes several revisions of his play Moonlight Daring Us to Go Insane, which played at the Body Politic Theatre in fall 1987. [Processed]
Barlow, Esther A. Collection. Dates: 1928-1983. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 105 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Esther Barlow worked in neighborhood branches of the Chicago Public Library from 1927 until 1976. Files in the collection are from Barlow’s years at the Library. Photographs from this collection are available in the Library’s Esther A. Barlow Digital Collection. [Processed]
Barnett, Etta Moten Papers. Dates: 1901-2004. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2007/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Internationally acclaimed concert and musical theater singer, social activist and philanthropist Etta Moten Barnett’s career began in the 1930s and continued past her 100th birthday. She starred in Broadway musicals and in films. Her husband was Claude Barnett, founder and president of the Associated Negro Press. She was active in the Chicago chapter of The Links, Inc. Her papers include correspondence, speech texts, clippings, programs, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Barr, Norman B. Collection. Dates: 1897-1961. Size: 3 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Barrett, Brenetta Howell Papers. Dates: 1942-2006. Size: 48 linear feet. Accession #2007/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A lifelong Chicagoan, Brenetta Howell Barrett was a leader and political activist in West Side community organizations. She served in the mayoral administrations of Harold Washington and Eugene Sawyer. Active in housing, environmental and civil liberties issues, she was also involved in community protests in the 1960s and 1970s. Her papers include correspondence, office files, programs, clippings, photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Barzel, Ann Dance Film Archive. Dates: 1932-1981. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Art Information Center. The Ann Barzel Dance Film Archive is a collection of more than 50 hours of original film that documents the entire breadth of mid-20th century dance in Chicago, including companies such as the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Ballet Theatre, Jooss Ballet, Martha Graham and scores more. All of the 16mm footage, which was filmed by the late dance critic Ann Barzel between 1936 and 1981, was transferred to DVD and fully cataloged. This electronic collection is a joint project between the Newberry Library and the Chicago Public Library. [Processed]
Bass, Henry Papers. Dates: 1952-1975. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Processed]
Beaman Photo Album. Dates: 1915-1918. Size: 1 album. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Belmont-Cragin Community Collection. Dates: 1883-1946. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. [Partially processed]
Berry, Leonidas Papers. Dates: 1891-1995. Size: 17 linear feet. Accession #1988/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Leonidas Berry, noted gastroenterologist, teacher, author, medical rights and civil rights activist, was a major figure in Chicago and nationally for more than 50 years. He was president of the National Medical Association, founder of the Flying Black Medics and successful litigant against the exclusion of African American physicians from Michael Reese Hospital. His collection includes monographs, serials, photographs, correspondence, research notes, minutes, lectures, publications, books and memorabilia. His papers are especially strong in Provident Hospital history. [Finding aid]
Beverly-Morgan Park Collection. Dates: 1884-2002. Size: 12.5 linear feet; 159 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. The collection documents the evolution of two related communities on the southwest side of Chicago: Beverly and Morgan Park. Highlights include photographs, short runs of neighborhood newspapers and documents about annexation of the communities into Chicago. [Partially processed]
Bethel New Life Collection. Dates: 1870-1986. Size: 1 linear foot; 220 photographs; 27 audiotapes; 10 videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. Collection focuses on Lake Street community activities in West Garfield Park. [Finding aid]
Bishop, Charles Papers. Dates: 1939-1963. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1999/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Charles Bishop, retired professor at Malcolm X College, researched early 20th century African American culture as part of his family history investigations. His family history is centered in Louisiana, Mississippi and Chicago. Collection contains theatrical posters, photographs, magazines and research materials. [Partially processed]
Björling, Jussi Archives. Dates: 1930-1996. Size: 34 linear feet; 300-plus photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Comprehensive audio holdings: more than 900 78 r.p.m., LP, cassette, reel-to-reel and compact disc recordings of the legendary Swedish tenor. Other materials include biographies, personal effects, photographs and videos. [Processed]
Black Caucus, American Library Association, Chicago Chapter Archives. Dates: 1974-2004. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #1983/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The collection documents the work of the Chicago Chapter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. The collection includes founding documents, minutes, correspondence, flyers, financial documents, photographs and memorabilia. [Processed]
Black Ensemble Theater Collection. Dates: 1975-1994. Size: 4.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Theater company founded by well-known Chicago actress Jackie Taylor. [Processed]
Black History Educational Program Archives, see Archdiocese of Chicago/Black History Educational Program Archives.
Black Radical Congress Archive. Dates: 1998-1999. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1998/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Materials collected at the inaugural conference of the Black Radical Congress, held in Chicago in June 1998 and in the months that followed. Collection consists of publicity, programs, position papers, newsletters, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Black, Timuel D. Papers. Dates: 1918-2010. Size: 336 linear feet. Accession #2003/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Professor emeritus at City Colleges of Chicago, Timuel Black is a prominent historian, author, human rights activist and expert on Chicago’s African American history. During the 1960s, he was president of the Negro American Labor Council, Chicago Chapter and organizer of Chicago participation in the 1963 March on Washington. Black was active in more than 100 organizations over seven decades. The collection includes extensive organizational files, correspondence, manuscripts, subject files, oral histories, audiovisual materials, photographs and memorabilia. Additional papers relating to the life and work of his children, Timuel Kerrigan Black (1963-1993) and Ermetra Black-Thomas, were accessioned in 2007. [Finding aid]
Body Politic Theatre Collection. Dates: 1969-1993. Size: 63.5 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Theater and arts organization founded in 1969 as a division of the Community Arts Foundation. Pioneer of the off-Loop theater movement. Hosted a number of theater companies that went on to establish houses of their own. Formed a resident company that brought Dream Theater, among other productions, to Chicago audiences. [Partially processed]
Book of the Fair. Dates: 1893. Size: 2 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, World’s Columbian Exposition Collection. A portfolio of facsimile illustrations by well-known artists of World’s Columbian Exposition buildings, fairgrounds and exhibits. [Processed]
Bowman, Houston and Cora Papers. Dates: 1961-1997. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2009/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Houston and Cora Bowman were founding members of Trinity United Church of Christ, a large and influential church on Chicago’s South Side. Their papers include the early history of Trinity, church newsletters, anniversary books and newspaper clippings. [Unprocessed]
Bowman, Louis Andrew Papers. Dates: 1876-1959. Size: .25 linear foot; 17 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Personal papers related to Louis Bowman’s ministry. [Finding aid]
Box, Willie Papers. Dates: 1992-2006. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #2005/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Willie E. Box, educational administrator and author, donated his collection of research materials on African American museums. The papers also include pamphlets and brochures. [Partially processed]
Brennan, George A. Papers. Dates: 1915-1934. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. Collection reflects George Brennan’s personal interest in the local history of the Calumet region and the early Dutch community in Chicago. [Finding aid]
Brighton Park Community Collection. Dates: 1927-1992. Size .5 linear foot; 4 oversize folders; 2 photographs; 1 audiocassette. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Archival material on the Brighton Park Community. [Finding aid]
Brooks, Sydonia/National Association of Negro Musicians Papers. Dates: ca. 1935-2002. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1995/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A leader in the Chicago Music Association and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Sydonia Brooks donated a collection of CMA and NANM newsletters, proceedings and photographs. [Processed]
Brown, Ann Papers. Dates: ca. 1890-2001. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1999/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ann Brown was a member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and longtime member of the Missionary Society of Arnett Chapel A.M.E. Church. Collection contains photographs, memorabilia, funeral programs, church programs and genealogical records relating to the Brown family. [Partially processed]
Browne, Al Papers. Dates: 1934-1938. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2004/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Collection consists of two scrapbooks from 1934 to 1938 from Al Browne’s tours around the United States as a circus clown and circus owner/manager. [Unprocessed]
Browning, Alice Papers. Dates: 1942-1985. Size: 7 linear feet. Accession #2000/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Alice Browning was a writer, editor, educator, publisher and co-founder of the International Black Writers Conference. With Fern Gayden, she published Negro Story magazine and later launched the Browning Letter. Her papers include correspondence, manuscripts, serials, newsletters, photographs, newspaper clippings, pamphlets and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Bryant, Leroy Papers. Dates: 1975-2006. Size: 132 linear feet. Accession #2004/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Leroy Bryant served as chair and professor of history and African American studies at Chicago State University, and was active in civil rights work. His collection largely consists of extensive subject research files on a wide range of topics in African American studies. Many of the sources in the files are not widely available. An especially significant collection centers on the history of African Americans in Florida. The papers also include manuscripts, monographs, serials and correspondence. [Partially processed]
Buckley, Dick, see Dick Buckley’s Archives of Jazz.
Burns, Ben Papers. Dates: 1939-1999. Size: 177 linear feet. Accession #1981/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. At Johnson Publishing Company, Ben Burns was executive editor of Ebony and Negro Digest magazines. He was later the editor of Sepia magazine. The papers center on Burns’ career in journalism and his authorship of a memoir, Nitty Gritty. The collection consists of correspondence, photographs, manuscripts, clippings, memorabilia and Burns’ personal library. [Finding aid]
Burrows, Felix A. Jr., see ViewPoint, Inc. Archives.
Butler, Roy G. Collection. Dates: 1922-1997. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Clippings, personal effects, documents, recordings, musical scores and photographs of jazz sideman and band leader Roy G. Butler, who toured the world from 1922 to 1997. [Processed]
Calumet-Pioneer Historical Society. Dates: 1935-1967. Size: .5 linear foot; 2 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Calumet Region Community Collection. Dates: 1850-1975. Size: 6 linear feet; 2 scrapbooks; 365 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Cameos Archives, see Les Cameos Archives.
Campbell, Lillian M. Memorial Collection. Dates: 1858-1940. Size: 355 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Photographic collection covering a broad spectrum of Chicago history. [Finding aid]
Campbell, Sylvia Photograph Collection. Dates: 1968. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2008/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This small collection of photographs consists of snapshots taken by Sylvia Campbell’s husband on Chicago’s West Side during the April 1968 riot following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. [Processed]
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse/Forum Theatre Collection. Dates: 1961-1997. Size: 2 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. First dinner-theater in the United States. Collection consists primarily of promotional materials such as programs, reviews and clippings for musical and comedy productions. [Processed]
Carter Temple C.M.E. Church Archives. Dates: 1961-2002. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1996/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Carter Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1921. Carrie McMorris, a longtime member of the congregation, donated this collection, which contains church histories, programs, souvenir booklets and special events records of Carter Temple C.M.E. Church. [Processed]
Casey, Warren Papers. Dates: 1970-1988. Size: 3.5 linear feet; 2 audiocassettes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Draft and final scripts, lyrics and scores, as well as some administrative material such as correspondence for productions and projects on which Warren Casey worked during the 1970s and 1980s. Includes considerable materials relating to Grease, including working notes, draft and final versions of the script and score in its various manifestations, and the published score. Also included are drafts of screenplays for the film version of Grease and its sequel, Grease 2. [Finding aid]
Cayton, Horace Papers. Dates: 1866-2007. Size: 32 linear feet. Accession #1983/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Horace Cayton was a nationally prominent black sociologist, co-author of Black Metropolis and director of Chicago’s Parkway Community House. Collection consists of correspondence, published and unpublished manuscripts, photographs, subject research files, memorabilia and oral history recordings. In the last years of his life, Cayton conducted research, including interviews, on the life of noted black author Richard Wright. Housed with Cayton’s papers is his personal library, with many author-inscribed books. [Finding aid]
Center Theater. Size: 18 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Partially processed]
Central Area, The Links, Inc. Archives. Dates: 1952-2004. Size: 7 linear feet. Accession #2006/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Central Area, The Links, Inc. is a regional coordinating body with nearly 60 member chapters, stretching from Michigan to Oklahoma, and from Minnesota to Virginia. Established in 1952, Central Area has kept detailed archives, including correspondence, minutes, programs, chapter histories, photographs and audiovisual materials. [Partially processed]
Century of Progress Records. Dates: 1928-1934. Size: 6 linear feet; 264 photographs; 16 oversize folders. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Collection consists primarily of souvenir booklets, brochures, pamphlets and guidebooks from the 1933 World’s Fair. Additionally, the collection includes viewbooks, press releases from the fair’s publicity department, three scrapbooks and photographs. A unique component of the materials are pre-fair publications (essays and transcripts of public addresses), dating from 1928 to 1933, and written as part of the Century of Progress’ publicity and fundraising campaigns. [Finding aid]
Chase, Horace G. Papers. Dates: 1843-1902. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collections. Collection consists of business (real estate) correspondence. [Finding aid]
Chatham-Grand Crossing Community Collection. Dates: 1852-1980. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Records primarily cover the 1920s-1950s. [Finding aid]
Chicago Actors’ Ensemble Collection. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
Chicago Afro-American Analytic Union Catalog Archives. Dates: 1939-1940. Size: 1 linear foot, plus card catalog. Accession #1942/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Horace Cayton supervised this WPA project to develop a bibliography of all resources on African Americans found in Chicago-area libraries. The archive consists of the original cards created by the project and the final narrative report. [Processed]
Chicago Artists’ Archives. Dates: 1890-present. Size: 72 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Art Information Center. The Chicago Artists’ Archives is a vertical file documenting more than 100 years of Chicago artists, art movements and arts organizations. Archived materials include, but are not limited to, news clippings, letters, photographs, slides, CDs, artists’ books, gallery invitations and original artwork. [Finding aid]
Chicago Blues Archives. Dates: 1980s-present. Size: 288 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Items relating to blues in Chicago and around the world, including 500 LPs and CDs, both commercially produced and unique; 50 original videos of the Chicago Public Library’s Speakin’ of the Blues program series; several hundred feet of clipping and photo files; and realia. Continues to receive documents of the annual Chicago Blues Festival. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Partially processed (ongoing)]
Chicago Chapter, Black Caucus, American Library Association, see Black Caucus, American Library Association, Chicago Chapter Archives.
Chicago Chapter, CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) Archives. Dates: 1947-1990. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2007/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. CORE, a national civil rights organization, began in Chicago in 1942, with protests to force desegregation of restaurants and other public accommodations. These archives cover the period of the early and mid-1960s, when Chicago CORE’s membership was at its height. Records include meeting minutes, correspondence, flyers, programs, news clippings and photographs. [Finding aid]
Chicago City-Wide Collection. Dates: 1835-1990; bulk dates: 1871-1950. Size: 43 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Large collection focusing on Loop, Downtown and areas not represented in other collections. [Finding aid]
Chicago Dance Collection. Dates: 1920s-present. Size: 66 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Art Information Center. Vertical files and video recordings documenting Chicago dancers and dance performances. Materials include, but are not limited to, news clippings, programs, photographs, slides, CDs, performance invitations, oral histories and video/DVD recordings. [Partially processed]
Chicago Department of Urban Renewal Collection. Size: 57 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Unprocessed]
Chicago Loop Alliance Records. Dates: 1895-2006. Size: 11 linear feet; 4,056 photographs; 2,480 slides; 795 4” x 5” negatives; 60 videos; 6 audiocassettes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. The Chicago Loop Alliance, formerly known as the State Street Council and the Greater State Street Council, was founded in 1929 to promote the business interests of downtown State Street. This collection documents the activities of the organization and is particularly rich in information about the State Street Mall, when State Street was closed to vehicular traffic between 1979 and 1996. The audio/visual component of the collection shows changes on State Street, and around the Loop in general, throughout the 20th century. [Finding aid]
Chicago Medieval Players Collection. Dates: 1986-1993. Size: 6 linear feet; photographs, audiotapes and videotapes (see Chicago Theater Videotape Collection). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Company founded by the late Ann Faulkner. Includes full production history and artistic files for 18 productions as well as administrative materials such as project notes, affiliations and research. [Processed]
Chicago Outdoor Art League Collection. Dates: 1929-1996. Size: 3 linear feet; 48 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. The Chicago Outdoor Art League sponsored gardening programs; donated trees to local organizations, hospitals and schools; and offered art and music scholarships. [Processed]
Chicago: Passport to the World Videotape Collection. Dates: 1987-1994. Size: 135 videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Informative visual series produced by Talman Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago and seen on a Chicago-area cable network. Series presents Chicago’s diversity through interviews with individuals, organizations and groups. [Partially processed]
Chicago Press Club Archives. Dates: 1880-1987. Size: 1.5 linear feet; oversize prints. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection consists of the official newsletter of the Chicago Press Club, minutes of the board of governors’ meetings (1949-1987), guest books of club visitors and portraits of club presidents by Chicago artist/illustrator Felix Palm. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Size: 1,500 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Partially processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. 125th Anniversary. Dates: 1997-1998. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Board of Directors. Dates: 1872-present. Size: 33 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Branch Annual Reports. Dates: 1895-present. Size: 57 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Early CPL. Dates: 1871-1908. Size: 18 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Five-Year Plans/Press and Publicity/Plan of Service/Priority Needs Assessment. Dates: 1976-1995. Size: 3 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Chicago Public Library Archives. Harold Washington Library Center Construction Photographs. Dates: 1988-1991. Size: 1,411 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. This photographic collection documents the construction of the Harold Washington Library Center, the central library for the Chicago Public Library. Both interior and exterior shots were taken, and all aspects of the building’s construction are shown, including the erection of steel, the masonry work, the interior heating and air conditioning systems, and the installation of marble finishes and casework. [Finding aid]
Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library Archives. Dates: 1975-2006. Size: 74 linear feet. Accession #1975/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The institutional archives of Woodson Regional Library, which opened in 1975, include administrative files, programs, photographs, memorabilia and annual reports. [Partially processed]
Chicago Public Library, George Cleveland Hall Branch Library Archives. Dates: 1932-1975. Size: 33 linear feet. Accession #1932/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Hall Branch is named for George Cleveland Hall, African American physician, Chicago Public Library board member and a founding member of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, who campaigned tirelessly for a full-service library in Bronzeville. Hall Branch, headed by Vivian G. Harsh from 1932 to 1958, was a leading cultural institution in Bronzeville during the Chicago Renaissance. The archives include administrative records, programs, correspondence, photographs, clipping files, pamphlets and research materials from its 1932 opening day until the transfer of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature to Woodson Regional Library in 1975. [Finding aid]
Chicago Public Library Programs. Dates: 1991-present. Size: 16 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Video and audio recordings of selected programs presented by the Visual and Performing Arts Department and performed at Harold Washington Library Center. [Unprocessed]
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection Archives. Dates: 1975-2006. Size: 53 linear feet. Accession #1975/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The archives of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature document the collection’s history after it moved to Carter G. Woodson Regional Library in 1975. The collection includes manuscripts, programs, administration records, reports, photographs, audiovisual materials and memorabilia.
Chicago Reader Motion Picture Stills Collection. Dates: 1970s-2005. Size: 60 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Art Information Center. Publicity photographs, DVDs and motion picture stills of all genres of film from the silent era onward. These images were originally submitted to the Chicago Reader for review purposes. [Unprocessed]
Chicago Reader Touring Musicians Publicity Photos. Dates: 1970s-2005. Size: 180 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Publicity photographs of musicians or groups that toured Chicago. Images were originally submitted to the Reader for review purposes. [Unprocessed].
Chicago Sewers Collection. Dates: 1855-2004. Size: .5 linear foot; 738 photographs; 121 glass plate slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Photographs of construction and repair of Chicago sewers, arranged by street name. Includes below- and above-ground images. Photographs from this collection are available in the Library’s Chicago’s Sewers Digital Collection. [Finding aid]
Chicago Shakespeare Company Collection. Dates: 1982-1991. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection includes production history files through nine seasons, as well as budget and administrative files. [Processed]
Chicago SNCC History Project Archives. Dates: 1960-2010. Size: 10 linear feet. Accession #2006/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Chicago SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) History Project was created in 2005 to collect and preserve the experience of SNCC during the civil rights movement in Chicago. The archive includes correspondence, serials, photographs, flyers, clippings, financial records, newsletters, manuscripts, meeting minutes, oral histories and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Chicago Theater Collection-Historic Programs. Dates: 1848- (bulk dates 1880-1960). Size: 47.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. The Chicago Theater Collection-Historic Programs contains programs, playbills and newspaper clippings from more than 5,000 productions at Chicago’s historic theaters. More than 2,000 playbills and programs of local dramas, comedies, melodramas, operas, vaudeville performances and other events between the 1840s to the 1920s are available online in the Chicago Theater Collection-Historic Programs Digital Collection. [Finding aid]
Chicago Theater Videotape Collection. Dates: 1973-present. Size: 282 videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection consists of videotapes of theatrical productions, playwright interviews and educational programs for many of the theaters represented in the Chicago Theater Collection. [Processed]
Chicago Video Project Archives. Dates: 2003-2009. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2010/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Chicago Video Project, a nonprofit, Chicago-based video production company, focused on projects concerning advocacy groups, community development organizations, labor unions, economic and social justice. These archives consist of more than 200 original, unedited videotapes filmed as part of the work on CVP’s documentary, Telling Our Story, on the Chicago Housing Authority’s 15-year Plan for Transition. The tapes include community meetings, protests and interviews with residents, CHA staff and activists. [Unprocessed]
Childs, Josie Brown Papers. Dates: 1948-2004. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2004/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Josie Brown Childs, political and civil rights activist, aide to Mayor Harold Washington and cultural events promoter, donated her papers documenting her multifaceted career. The scope of the papers consists of family history in Mississippi, Childs’ early political work, her campaign for an aldermanic seat, her work for Mayor Washington, and her efforts to promote African American cultural and historical awareness. Correspondence, photographs, flyers, programs and memorabilia are included. [Partially processed]
Choral Sheet Music Collection. Dates: 1900s-1940s. Size: 16 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Comprises a collection of sheet music for SATB and a large collection of German TTBB, totaling approximately 1,500 titles. A finding aid for part of this collection exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Partially processed]
Christian Fellowship Church Collection. Dates: 1929-1990. Size: 1 linear foot; 20 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Conrad and Martha Wendtland founded the Christian Fellowship Church in their home in 1926. The activities of the church are documented in minutes from committee meetings as well as financial and membership ledgers. [Processed]
City Lit Collection. Dates: 1979-present. Size: ca. 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection includes production and administrative records. [Unprocessed]
Civil War. Army of the Potomac Collection. Dates: 1863. Size: Flat files. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Partially processed]
Civil War Round Table Records. Dates: ca. 1945-1975. Size: 48 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Partially processed]
Clark, Stephen Bedell Papers. Dates: 1971-1974. Size: .75 linear foot; 94 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Stephen Bedell Clark, author of Lake View Saga, deposited his papers at Sulzer Regional Library. [Processed]
Cloud 42 Theater Collection. Size: 12.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Chicago Chapter Archives. Dates: 1972-2006. Size: 11 linear feet. Accession #1992/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Founded in Detroit in 1972, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists was created to address the labor, civil rights and political concerns of African Americans active in unions. Donated by Beverly Sandifer of AFSCME Local 1215, the archive includes convention documents, minutes, resolutions, programs, photographs and memorabilia from the Chicago Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. [Processed]
Coalition to Save the ‘Met’ Archives. Dates: 1898-2007. Size: 19 linear feet. Accession #2007/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Founded in 1920 by William Decatur Cook as The Peoples Church and Metropolitan Community Center, it took the name Metropolitan Community Church in 1927. The church became a center for African American political activism and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters union organization drive. The Coalition to Save the ‘Met’ was begun by church members determined to save the historic church building from a wrecking ball. After they succeeded, they began collecting historic documents and photographs to save the church’s history. Papers include programs, clippings, correspondence, church newsletters, audiovisual materials and photographs. [Finding aid]
Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club Archives. Dates: 1978-1997. Size: 14 linear feet. Accession #1997/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. South Shore Country Club, originally a private club that barred African Americans, was scheduled for demolition in 1977. A grassroots coalition of community organizations organized to save, preserve and restore the historic site for all citizens. This collection contains blueprints and drawings of the renovation of South Shore Country Club, administrative records, statistical reports, newspaper clippings, photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Collier, Lucy Smith Papers. Dates: 1891-2002. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1996/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Granddaughter of Chicago’s legendary Pentecostal preacher Elder Lucy Smith, Lucy Smith Collier’s papers include church documents, programs, memorabilia and photographs of gospel at the Church of All Nations, gospel on the radio, the Lucy Smith Singers and the Roberta Martin Singers. The papers also include a sheet music collection. [Finding aid]
Colter, Cyrus Papers. Dates: 1890-1995. Size: 10 linear feet. Accession #1995/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Cyrus Colter was a distinguished African American novelist, short story writer, lawyer and professor. The papers include manuscripts for his novels, correspondence, photographs, clippings and memorabilia documenting Colter’s career as an author. A smaller group of materials pertains to Colter’s legal and political career and his personal life. [Finding aid]
Come for to Sing Archives. Dates: 1975-1988. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Ninety-eight DAT dubs of original audiocassettes of interviews from Come for to Sing magazine with such folk musicians as Steve Goodman, Fred Holstein, Bob Gibson and Tom Paxton. [Unprocessed]
Commodore, Chester Papers. Dates: 1914-2004. Size: 40 linear feet. Accession #2007/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Chester Commodore was the editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Defender for more than 50 years. In his capacity as one of the earliest established black editorial cartoonists, Commodore offered both humor and protest by using his cartoons to highlight and fight injustice both locally and nationally. His papers include his original cartoons, including the “Accent” caricatures that ran from 1974-1979, correspondence, photographs, newspapers and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Commons Theatre Collection. Dates: 1980-1992. Size: 27 linear feet; photographs, audiotapes and videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection consists of a full production history over 10 seasons and includes promotional, technical, administrative and artistic information. Artistic files include script library and casting information. Administrative files include board of directors minutes, grant applications and financial records. [Processed]
Constellation Lodge Records. Dates: 1916-1927. Size: 2 linear feet; 3 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Although the collection contains some information about the Lodge, the majority of the files consist of correspondence from local soldiers serving in World War I as well as newsletters the Lodge sent to the servicemen. The collection offers an interesting glimpse of life during World War I. [Processed]
Dailey, Ulysses Grant Papers. Dates: 1884-1980. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1995/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ulysses Grant Dailey was a nationally prominent surgeon. He served as president of the National Medical Association, operated his own hospital in the 1920s and 1930s, was a leader at Chicago’s Provident Hospital, and helped educate surgeons in Africa, Asia and Latin America. His papers consist of biographical materials, manuscripts, correspondence, programs, photographs and memorabilia. A partial draft of a biography of Dailey entitled The Scholar and the Scalpel is also included. [Finding aid]
Darrow, Clarence S. Papers. Dates: 1912-1956. Size: 1 linear foot; 1 photograph. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. Collection consists of published works in pamphlet or journal form, and a small amount of correspondence and news clippings. [Finding aid]
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Collection. Dates: 1895-1964. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Processed]
Davis, Charles A. Papers. Dates: 1950-1997. Size: 22 linear feet. Accession #2003/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Charles Davis was a journalist, a public relations specialist and an entrepreneur. During the 1940s, he served as the leading political reporter for the Chicago Defender. In the 1960s, he was one of the founders of the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations. Davis was director of the National Insurance Association and served on the boards of several important Chicago companies. His papers include correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, programs, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Davis, Melvin A. Papers. Dates: 1966-1978. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2003/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Melvin Davis served as president of United Automobile Workers Local 1083. He was also active in the Black Arts Movement and in the African Nationalist Pioneer Movement. His papers include materials on the 50th anniversary of Marcus Garvey’s death, the campaign to build a Marcus Garvey memorial and black theater. The papers consist of manuscripts, bulletins, flyers, serials and photographs. [Partially processed]
Deems, Barrett Collection. Dates: 1956-1998. Size: 10 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Barrett Deems (1914-1998) was a Chicago-based jazz drummer and band leader who worked with many luminaries, including Louis Armstrong, Paul Ash, Jimmy Dorsey and Red Norvo. The collection includes clippings, photographs and realia such as awards and instruments. [Processed]
Democratic National Convention, 1968. Dates: 1968. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Unprocessed]
Dick Buckley’s Archives of Jazz. Dates: 1989-1993. Size: 32 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. More than 400 hours from Dick Buckley’s show on WBEZ, recorded on reel-to-reel audiotape, often with a program log included. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Partially processed]
Dickerson, Earl B. Papers. Dates: 1891-1985. Size: 12 linear feet. Accession #2008/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Attorney and business executive Earl B. Dickerson was honored for his civil rights and civil liberties work. He was general counsel at Supreme Liberty Life Insurance (an African American-owned company), a Chicago alderman and lead attorney in Hansberry v. Lee, a landmark case challenging restrictive covenants. Dickerson’s papers include correspondence, programs, genealogical materials, clippings, serials, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Dolton, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Driskell, Claude Papers. Dates: 1940-1995. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #1995/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A prominent Chicago dentist, Claude Driskell served as president of the Lincoln Dental Society and is the author of a history of Chicago’s African American dentists. He was also the historian for the renowned “Original Forty Club” and authored the club’s 75th anniversary book. Driskell’s papers include manuscripts, photographs, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Drury, John Collection. Dates: 1935-1953. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The collection consists of articles written about Chicago’s North Side by John Drury, a well-known journalist and historian. The articles are from three series: “Historic Chicago Sites” and “Old Chicago Houses” in the Chicago Daily News and “North Side Notebook” in the Lincoln-Belmont Booster. [Processed]
Dungill Family Papers. Dates: 1894-1999. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2000/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Dungill Family Orchestra, a touring band based in Chicago from the 1930s through the 1960s, achieved success as a family band in which each member played a different instrument. The papers include scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, press clippings and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Durham, Richard Papers. Dates: 1944-1984. Size: 18 linear feet. Accession #1998/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Richard Durham, journalist, radio and television playwright, was the author of the groundbreaking radio drama series Destination Freedom. From 1948 to 1950, the weekly program dramatized black history events and individuals. Durham later wrote the television series Bird of the Iron Feather and edited Muhammad Ali’s biography, The Greatest. The papers include correspondence, research notes, play scripts, clippings, serials, photographs, page proofs and galleys. [Finding aid]
Dyett, Capt. Walter Papers. Dates: 1906-1998. Size: 14 linear feet. Accession #2007/11. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. One of the most influential bandmasters and music educators in Chicago’s history, Walter Dyett taught generations of Chicago jazz, classical and blues musicians at Wendell Phillips and DuSable high schools. The papers document his career with official records, correspondence, programs, news clippings, yearbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
East Garfield Park Community Collection. Dates: 1871-1964. Size: 10.75 linear feet; 343 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Archives. Dates: 1871-2005. Size: 11 linear feet. Accession #2002/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ebenezer, founded in 1902, was one of the Chicago churches at the center of the gospel music revolution of the early 1930s. Under the Rev. J.H.L. Smith, Ebenezer grew to more than 3,000 members and included Thomas A. Dorsey, Theodore Frye, Roberta Martin, Eugene Smith and Robert Anderson among those who made music there. The Ebenezer archives include church newsletters, anniversary and souvenir programs, correspondence, photographs, sheet music, audiovisual material, organizational records and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Ebright, Lisa Collection. Dates: 1970-1993. Size: 43 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Photographs of productions at Chicago theaters across the city by photographer Lisa Ebright. [Partially processed]
Edgewater, see Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection.
Edison Park Community Collection. Dates: 1938-1976. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. [Processed]
Eichelberger, Brenda/National Alliance of Black Feminists Papers. Dates: 1974-1997. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #1997/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Open to “any black woman interested in advancing the cause of black feminism,” the National Alliance of Black Feminists was a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to achieving full equality for black women in America. Brenda Eichelberger, founder of NABF, served as president of the Chicago Chapter. The collection consists of manuscripts, brochures, promotional literature, correspondence, financial statements, newspaper clippings, journal articles and serials. [Finding aid]
Eisenschiml, Otto Papers. Dates: 1937-1964. Size: 1.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Processed]
Elam, Mellissia-Lauretta Peyton Papers. Dates: 1891-1961. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession # 2007/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Mellissia Elam came to Chicago in 1876 from Missouri. She established a club home for working girls in 1919; it became a center for social and cultural activities. Elam belonged to Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. After her death in 1941, the work at Elam Home was carried on by Lauretta Peyton. The papers include personal and organizational correspondence, programs, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Ellsworth, James W. Collection. Dates: 1880s-1901. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, World’s Columbian Exposition Collection. Papers of one of the leading directors of the World’s Fair of 1893. Collection consists of outgoing correspondence (85 letters), incoming correspondence (926 letters), departmental records and ephemera. The collection documents fair activities from planning stages through the disposition of the exhibits and buildings after the close of the exposition. [Finding aid]
Englewood Community Collection. Dates: 1870-1966. Size: 3.5 linear feet; 226 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Englewood High School Papers. Dates: 1876-1959. Size: 3.5 linear feet; 46 photographs; 1 photograph album. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. Collection consists primarily of yearbooks dating from 1924 to 1959. [Finding aid]
Englewood Historical Association Papers. Dates: 1931-1953. Size: .5 linear foot; 10 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Englewood Newspaper Collection. Dates: 1878-1934. Size: .5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Englewood Woman’s Club Records. Dates: 1898-1932. Size: .75 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Englewood Community Collections. Collection consists primarily of yearbooks dating from 1898 to 1931. [Finding aid]
ETA, Creative Arts Foundation. Dates: 1983-1997. Size: 1.5 linear feet; videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Founded in 1969 by Abena Joan Brown and Okoro Harold Johnson. Produces dramas and musicals by local and national playwrights and features “Playwrights Speak,” a readers’ theater for new playwrights. [Processed]
Evans, Charles J. Papers. Dates: 1920-1994. Size: 7 linear feet. Accession #1996/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Charles Evans was professor of African and African American literature at the City Colleges of Chicago. As an activist in the civil rights and Black Arts movements, Evans developed new curricula for teaching literature of peoples of African descent. He was also active in the union representing City Colleges teachers. His papers include his poetry, literary criticism manuscripts, correspondence, research notes on Richard Wright and other authors, curricula, union records and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Evans, Jesse Papers. Dates: 1994. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1994/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Jesse Evans is the former alderman for Chicago’s 21st ward. This small group of papers consists of serials and other materials Evans brought back from a 1994 trip to South Africa. [Partially processed]
Fenger High School Collection. Dates: 1925-1965. Size: 2.5 linear feet; 28 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. Collection consists primarily of yearbooks dating from 1925 to 1930, 1934 to 1940 and 1949 to 1965. [Finding aid]
Fernwood, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Fernwood Methodist Church Scrapbooks. Dates: 1953-1971. Size: 2 scrapbooks. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. Scrapbooks compiled by Mr. and Mrs. William Fenstemacher. [Finding aid]
Flory, Ishmael Papers. Dates: 1938-2003. Size: 34 linear feet. Accession #2004/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ishmael Flory’s career in civil rights, labor and radical activism began with student protests at Fisk University in the 1930s. Flory served as a leader in the Communist Party’s organization on Chicago’s South Side from the 1940s through the 1980s. He was also co-founder of the African American Heritage Association. A friend to Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes, Flory’s activist career included dozens of protest movements. His papers include correspondence, minutes, organizational records, flyers, position papers, serials, photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Forum Theatre, see Candlelight Dinner Playhouse/Forum Theatre Collection.
Fowler, Rev. Elmer Papers. Dates: 1980-1996. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2000/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Founder of Third Baptist Church, civil rights activist and avid photographer, Rev. Elmer Fowler’s collection contains photographs, monographs, newspaper clippings, funeral programs and a tribute written by Fowler to Benjamin Mays. [Partially processed]
Free Street Theater Collection. Dates: 1968-present. Size: 67 linear feet; photographs and audiovisual materials. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Documents the history of Free Street from its inception in 1968, through the 1980s and its highly acclaimed production Project!, to its present-day commitment to addressing teen and social issues through plays and musical productions. Collection consists of six series: administrative files, budget files, programs and shows files, touring files, touring files-sites and the records of Free Street’s senior company, Free Street Too. [Partially processed]
French, Robert O. Papers. Dates: 1902-2007. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1999/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Robert French, nephew of black beauty culture pioneer Annie Turnbo Malone, was a leader in Malone’s Poro College from the 1940s through the 1980s. French’s papers document Malone’s career, and the organizational life of Poro College and the Poro Association. The papers include correspondence, programs, photographs, clipping files, funeral programs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Gads Hill Collection. Dates: early to mid-20th century. Size: 350 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Photographs from this settlement house in Pilsen. [Unprocessed]
Gano, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Gayden, Fern Papers. Dates: 1883-1985. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #2007/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A founding member of the South Side Writers Group in the 1930s, Fern Gayden’s long and diverse career included leadership roles in the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the South Side Community Art Center. She co-published Negro Story magazine with Alice Browning. Her papers include family history records, correspondence, flyers and programs, photographs and audiovisual materials. Also included is information on Gayden’s hometown of Dunlap, Kan., files from her service as a social worker and original copies of Negro Story. [Finding aid]
George Cleveland Hall Branch Library Archives, see Chicago Public Library, George Cleveland Hall Branch Library Archives.
Girl Scouts of America Troop #427 Collection. Dates: 1941-1971. Size: .25 linear foot; 1 photographic scrapbook. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Lawndale Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Go On Girl! Book Club Archives. Dates: 1996-2006. Size: 18 linear feet. Accession #1998/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Go On Girl!, an African American book club, was the vision of three girlfriends in 1991 and has developed into a national book club with more than 25 chapters. Its mission is to expand the African American reading experience, concentrating on authors from the African diaspora. Collection includes correspondence, organizational records, uncorrected galleys and proofs, annual conferences and awards, data sheets for books read, surveys, questionnaires, newsletters and photographs. [Partially processed]
Godzilla Rainbow Troupe Collection. Dates: 1971-1974. Size: 1 linear foot; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Founded by Garry Tucker (pseudonym “Eleven”) in 1971. Includes programs and promotional material for six productions starring such well-known Chicago theater personalities as Linda Kimbrough and Jack Wallace. [Finding aid]
Goodman Theatre Archives. Dates: 1925-present. Size: 204 linear feet; photographs and videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Oldest continuously operating theater company in Chicago. Collection documents the theater’s early production history through promotional materials such as programs, press releases, and reviews and clippings. Materials for the past 30 years of productions include an extensive collection of prompt books, production research and technical information. Other series in the collection include the papers of Artistic Director John Reich, dramaturg Tom Creamer, the Graff Family Papers, and the Producing and Artistic Directors Files. [Partially processed]
Grand Boulevard/Gage Family Collection. Dates: 1909-1926. Size: 78 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Early 20th century photographs of the Gage family on the 4200 block of South Prairie Avenue. [Finding aid]
Grand Crossing, see Chatham-Grand Crossing Collection.
Greater Rockwell Organization Records. Dates: 1987-present. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Organized in 1976, the Greater Rockwell Organization is a neighborhood group in the Lincoln Square community. The organization’s bylaws, newsletters and meeting notes form the core of the collection. In addition, there are files about special events. [Processed]
Greek Town Newspapers Collection. Dates: 1948-1985. Size: 15 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Consists of an incomplete run of the Greek Star newspaper. [Finding aid]
Green, Henry D. Photograph Collection. Dates: 1943-1951. Size: 400 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Henry Green was a commercial photographer on Chicago’s North Side. Subjects in the collection include local businesses, community groups, celebrations in neighborhood parks and events at local schools. Many photographs reflect life on the North Side during World War II. [Processed]
Gubert, Betty Collection of African Americans in Aviation. Dates: 1927-2002. Size: 12 linear feet. Accession #2010/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Betty Gubert is a retired librarian who worked for decades at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. She is the author of several books on African Americans in aviation, including the noted bibliography Invisible Wings. Her papers include correspondence with black aviators, photographs and subject research files. [Finding aid]
Hall, George Cleveland Branch Library Archives, see Chicago Public Library, George Cleveland Hall Branch Library Archives.
Hall, Juanita Papers. Dates: 1942-1966. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1974/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Juanita Hall was a singer and choir leader best known for her roles on Broadway. Her papers consist of her personal collection of sheet music and orchestrations, including many original items and hand annotations of printed sheet music. Among the items are songs from Broadway musicals, the Hall Johnson Choir, Eubie Blake and other composers. [Partially processed]
Hambrecht, George F. Papers. Dates: 1842-1928. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Civil War and American History Research Collection. [Processed]
Hamilton, Evalyn Papers. Dates: 1990-1999. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1999/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Evalyn Hamilton, the first coordinator of the Vivian G. Harsh Society, was also active in Go On Girl! book clubs in Chicago. Her personal papers include cultural and literary flyers, programs, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Harris, Adlean Papers. Dates: 1965-2005. Size: 105 linear feet. Accession #1993/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Adlean Harris, a librarian at Governor’s State University, was a founding member of all three Chicago-based African American genealogical societies. She was a leader in the Chicago chapter of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History and a participant in a host of other black history and civil rights organizations. Her papers include an unusually wide range of organizational files, flyers, programs, correspondence, serials, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Harris, Greg Papers. Dates: 1988-2000. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1996/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Greg Harris has been a nationally syndicated cartoonist whose work appeared in more than 50 African American newspapers. His papers include original cartoon drawings, newspaper clippings, correspondence and notes. [Partially processed]
Harsh, Vivian G. Research Collection Archives. Dates: 1975-2006. Size: 99 linear feet. Accession #1975/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The archives of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature document the collection’s history after it moved to Woodson Regional Library in 1975. The collection includes manuscripts, programs, administration records, reports, photographs, audiovisual materials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Hart, Larry Collection. Dates: 1973-1990. Size: 2 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Larry Hart, a designer and actor, graduated from the Goodman School of Drama in 1968. Collection includes posters for productions at Victory Gardens, Next Theatre Company and Pary Production Company. [Processed]
Hart, Pat Collection. Dates: 1974-1989. Size: .5 linear foot (slides). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Pat Hart, a costume designer, studied costume design at the Goodman School of Drama. She designed for productions at Touchstone Theatre, Pary Production Company and Victory Gardens. [Processed]
Hatchell, Mildred Papers. Dates: 1960-1998. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1993/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Former Chicagoan Mildred Hatchell conducted extensive research on the hymns of the Rev. Charles Albert Tindley. Her papers consist of research materials, clippings and correspondence in support of her effort to have the Rev. Tindley recognized as the author of the song, “I Shall Overcome.” [Processed]
Hayes, Charles A. Papers. Dates: 1944-1997. Size: 10 linear feet. Accession #2010/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Charles Hayes was a union leader in the United Packinghouse Workers of America and in two successor unions from the 1940s through the 1980s. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993. Most of his papers have been lost, but this small collection includes correspondence, speech texts, reports, clipping files, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Head, Cloyd Collection. Size: 25.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
Heritage Press Archives. Dates: 1944-2002. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1988/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Heritage Press, founded by Paul Breman and operated out of London from 1962 to 1975, was one of the most important publishers of black poetry of its time. Best known for virtually launching the careers of Robert Hayden, Audre Lorde and Dolores Kendrick, the press also published major works of poetry by Arna Bontemps, Waring Cuney, Fenton Johnson, Ishmael Reed and prominent members of the Black Arts Movement, including Chicagoans Conrad Kent Rivers and Ronald Fair. The archives include correspondence, manuscripts, booklets, publicity, clippings and photographs. [Finding aid]
Hill, Herbert Papers. Dates: 1950-1998. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1996/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Herbert Hill served in the 1950s and 1960s as labor director of the NAACP, where he was one of the most effective voices raised against racial discrimination by unions. He was later professor of Afro-American studies at the University of Wisconsin. His collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts and published articles written by Hill. [Processed]
Hintze, Clarence Jazz Drummer’s Collection. Dates: 1940s-1980s. Size: 15 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Chicago-based jazz drummer Clarence Hintze donated this collection of mainly LP jazz big band recordings, many of which center on drummers such as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson. [Processed]
Historic Pullman Collection, see Pullman Collection, Historic.
Historical Society of Woodlawn Papers. Dates: 1937-1965. Size: 1 linear foot; 10 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Holli, Melvin Papers. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2010/11. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Melvin Holli was a history professor and author who wrote several books on Chicago politics, including The American Mayor. His papers include subject research files on Mayor Harold Washington’s administration, newspaper clippings and notes. [Unprocessed]
Holmgren, Edward Papers. Dates: 1949-2003. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #2009/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Edward Holmgren spent more than 40 years working in the area of public housing, housing integration and urban renewal, both in government and private sectors. He began his career with the Chicago Housing Authority and was executive director of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. His papers include correspondence, organizational records, conference proceedings and serials. [Partially processed]
Holstein, see Logan Square Community Collection.
Holton, Deborah Papers. Dates: 1940-1990. Size: 12 linear feet. Accession #1999/11. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Deborah Holton, professor of literature at DePaul University, wrote her doctoral dissertation on “The Plays of Lorraine Hansberry: Studies in Dramatic Form.” The papers include her research notes, photocopied and original manuscript materials, photographs and memorabilia. [Processed]
House Party International Collection. Dates: 1985-1999. Size: 98 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. More than 8,000 individual popular music videos currently are being transferred from unusable U-matic videotape to DVDR. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Partially processed]
Howalton Day School Archives. Dates: 1946-1999. Size: 9 linear feet. Accession #1996/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Noted as the oldest African American private, non-sectarian school in Chicago, Howalton School (1947-1986) was established as an early alternative school stressing creativity, the arts and the humanities. Its founders were sharply critical of the failings of Chicago’s public schools in the African American community. The archives consist of correspondence, manuscripts, handbooks, brochures, promotional literature, financial statements, programs, photographs, newspaper clippings and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Howard, Dr. T.R.M. Papers. Dates: 1928-1971. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2009/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Theodore Roosevelt Mason (T.R.M.) Howard was a surgeon, civil rights leader and entrepreneur. He came to national prominence in the 1950s, when he was president of the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, the most important civil rights group in Mississippi then. He also served as president of the National Medical Association. Forced to leave Mississippi, he spent the last 20 years of his life in Chicago and ran for Congress in 1958. Howard’s papers include two scrapbooks he created, correspondence, texts and audiotapes of speeches and articles, clipping files and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Hughes, Langston Papers. Dates: 1940-1942. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #1942/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers consist of three successive typescript drafts of Hughes’ autobiographical memoir, The Big Sea, as well as galley proofs for this book. Each of the drafts contains extensive revisions and marginalia by Hughes. [Processed]
Hull House, see Young, Marion C./Hull House Collection.
Humboldt Park Community Collection. Dates: 1892-1941. Size: .5 linear foot; 46 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Husband, Lori Papers. Dates: 1965-2003. Size: 40 linear feet. Accession #2004/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Lori Husband was a leading researcher, teacher and author in the field of African American genealogy. The author of three studies of genealogical information found in the Chicago Defender newspaper, Husband also taught genealogical methodology. Her papers include research materials, subject files, curricula, serials, organizational minutes and programs. [Unprocessed]
Hyde Park Community Collection. Dates: 1874-1988. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 1 photograph. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Illinois Entertainer Files. Dates: 1978-1985. Size: 48 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Includes manuscripts, articles, press releases and press kits that were used to publish this local popular monthly entertainment journal. [Unprocessed]
Illinois Writers Project: “Negro in Illinois” Papers. Dates: 1936-1942. Size: 22 linear feet. Accession #1942/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This Illinois Writers Project study of the African American experience in Illinois from 1779 to 1942 consists of draft chapters, research notes, newspaper extracts, oral history transcripts and draft essays. All the work was destined for the “Negro in Illinois,” an unfinished book on which more than 100 researchers from the Illinois office of the Federal Writers Project collaborated. The study was supervised by Arna Bontemps and Jack Conroy. Among the writers who participated were Richard Wright, Fenton Johnson, Margaret Walker and L.D. Reddick. [Finding aid]
Imagination Theater. Size: 64 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
International Society of Sons and Daughters of Slave Ancestry Archives. Dates: 1996-2002. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1997/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. International Society of Sons and Daughters of Slave Ancestry Archives is a non-profit lineage society committed to documenting and preserving the genealogy of former slaves for future generations. Founded in 1997, ISDSA commemorates slave contributions to world history and recognizes the work of genealogical researchers. Collection contains articles of incorporation, bylaws, minutes, correspondence, pedigree charts, manuscripts and Juneteenth celebration programs. [Partially processed]
International Theatre Festival of Chicago Collection. Dates: 1986-1996. Size: 85 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Biannual festival held in Chicago six times from 1986 to1996. Founded by Jane Nicholls Sahlins to introduce Chicago artists and audiences to the work of some of the greatest theater companies from around the world. Collection consists primarily of programs and promotional material. [Partially processed]
Irving Park, see Jefferson Township Collection.
Italians in Chicago Project. Dates: 1979-1981. Size: 4 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Oral history transcripts from interviews with Italian Americans in Chicago; the project was based at the University of Illinois at Chicago. [Processed]
Jackson, Timothy Papers. Dates: 2000-2008. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2008/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Chicago Defender editorial cartoonist Tim Jackson is also renowned as the creator of the website Pioneering Cartoonists of Color, the most extensive database of information about early African American cartoonists. Jackson also worked for LifeTimes, a publication issued by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. The papers consist of his original cartoons, preliminary sketches and graphic design drawings for LifeTimes. [Partially processed]
Jacobsen, Arnold Recorded Sound Collection. Dates: 1920s-1940s. Size: 103 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. A large collection of LPs, 45s and 78s donated by collector and record salesman Arnold Jacobsen. A finding aid for part of this collection exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Partially processed]
Jarrett, Vernon Videotape Collection. Dates: 1988-1997. Size: 3 linear feet (150 videotapes migrated to DVDs). Accession #1999/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Vernon Jarrett was a pioneering journalist, award-winning columnist for the Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists, civil rights activist and community leader. This collection contains DVDs of more than 150 episodes of his television programs Face to Face and Sunday in Chicago. [Finding aid]
Jazz/Blues/Gospel Hall of Fame. Dates: 1937-1979. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Two thousand commercially produced LPs. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Processed]
Jefferson, Joseph Awards Collection. Dates: 1971-2000. Size: 2.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Processed]
Jefferson Park, see Jefferson Township Collection.
Jefferson Township Collection. Dates: 1891-1986. Size: .25 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. This small collection cuts across boundaries of the official communities of the city of Chicago. It contains brief information about the following neighborhoods: Jefferson Park, Irving Park, Logan Square and North Park. [Processed]
Jewish Music Archives. Dates: 1980s-1990s. Size: 23 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Contains more than 200 unique interviews and performances on CDR, cassette and minidisk featuring klezmer musicians from North America and Europe. Established by the YIVO Institute For Jewish Research, Chicago Chapter. [Processed]
Johnson, Bennett Papers. Dates: 1968-1995. Size: 39 linear feet. Accession #2000/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Bennett Johnson, a graduate of Roosevelt University with Harold Washington, has been a civil rights and radical activist since the 1940s. He was a leader in the March on Conventions movement, Protest at the Polls and the NAACP. He was one of the early activists in Washington’s successful campaign for mayor of Chicago. Johnson was co-founder of Path Press, a black-owned publishing house. His papers include correspondence, minutes, programs, manuscripts and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Johnson, Rev. Floyd D. and Sweetie C. Papers/Zion Temple Missionary Baptist Church Archives. Dates: 1940-1997. Size: 39 linear feet. Accession #1989/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Rev. F.D. Johnson and his wife, Sweetie C. Johnson, were leaders in the National Baptist Convention from the 1940s through the 1980s. Rev. Johnson was the pastor of Zion Temple M.B. Church in Chicago and served for more than 20 years as the president of the National Baptist Convention’s Foreign Missionary Board. Their personal papers and the church’s archives include correspondence, organizational documents, programs, clippings, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Johnson, May Business Papers. Dates: 1912-1941. Size: .25 linear foot; 41 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. May Johnson was a performing arts agent. Collection primarily concerns the careers of violinist Zlatko Balokovic and soprano Eleonora DeCisneros, and includes information on the Chicago Grand Opera Company. [Finding aid]
Johnson, Mildred Papers. Dates: 1945-1994. Size: 27 linear feet. Accession #1994/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Mildred Johnson was an educator, poet, children’s book author, principal of Howalton School (1982-1985) and director of Say! Children’s Theater. Her papers include correspondence, posters, plaques and awards, newspaper clipping files, books, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Johnson, Venona Papers. Dates: 1966-1995. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2001/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Venona Johnson’s papers include materials on the Chicago Chapter of the Girlfriends, a social and philanthropic club. Included are administrative records, chapter bylaws, financial records, clippings, conference proceedings and newsletters. The papers also contain materials from St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, including newsletters, anniversary souvenir books and funeral programs. [Partially processed]
Johnson, Virgil Collection. Dates: 1969-1997. Size: .5 linear foot; 638 drawings; 21 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Virgil Johnson is an award-winning costume designer whose work has been seen at numerous theaters in Chicago, including Goodman, Court, Victory Gardens, Body Politic, Steppenwolf, Northlight, St. Nicholas and Apollo theaters. Collection includes programs and notes in addition to visual materials. [Finding aid]
Johnson, William Papers. Dates: 1988-1996. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1996/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. William Johnson’s papers include his slides and photographs, activities of the Washington Park Camera Club and materials from the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. [Partially processed]
Jones, Calvin B. Papers. Dates: 2007-2010. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2010/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Chicago muralist, Black Arts Movement activist and co-director of AFAM gallery, Calvin B. Jones was a leader in community murals projects in Chicago. This small collection includes photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Jones, Ellen Collection. Dates: 1985-1990. Size: 3 linear feet; photographs and slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Ellen Jones was a designer of settings and lights for Chicago-area theaters such as Pegasus Players, Stormfield Theatre and Victory Gardens. Collection includes programs and reviews in addition to visual materials. [Finding aid]
Jones, Jeanne Boger Papers. Dates: 1845-2000. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #20001/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Jeanne Boger Jones is a genealogist and descendant of abolitionist minister Abraham T. Hall of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church. Her papers contain materials relating to her family’s genealogy, World War II black naval veterans of Great Lakes and records of the Chicago chapter of the Idlewild Lot Owners Association, Inc. Included in the papers are genealogical charts, newspaper clippings, videotapes, correspondence and photographs. [Finding aid]
Jones, Richard Papers. Dates: 2001-2005. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2007/13. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Richard Jones served as an officer in Bronzeville’s famed 8th National Guard Regiment and as manager of 47th Street’s South Center Department Store. The papers consist of recollections and comments on the history of the 8th regiment. [Processed]
Jones, Willa S. Papers. Dates: 1930-1984. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1982/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Willa S. Jones was, for 52 years, the founder, writer and producer of the acclaimed Chicago Passion Play. First presented in 1926 in a storefront church, the Passion Play later moved to St. John-Baptist Church. Jones was also a gospel pianist and director of a choir sponsored by the National Baptist Convention. Her papers include clippings, programs, serials and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Joyner, Marjorie Stewart Papers. Dates: ca.1890-1994. Size: 107 linear feet. Accession #1992/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Marjorie Stewart Joyner was national supervisor of Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Colleges, chair of Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade and Chicago Defender Charities, benefactor of Bethune-Cookman College and an activist in the Democratic Party in Chicago. Her papers include correspondence, business records, programs, serials, clipping files, photographs and memorabilia. Organizational materials from the United Beauty School Owners and Teachers Association, Alpha Chi Pi Omega Sorority and Fraternity, Cosmopolitan Community Church and the Bud Billiken Parade are also included. [Partially processed]
Jubilee Showcase Gospel Music Video Collection. Dates: 1963-1984. Size: 20 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Fifty hours of the 100 extant programs of this Emmy Award-winning Chicago gospel music television program. Performers include the Staple Singers, Dixie Hummingbirds and hundreds of others. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Excel database. [Processed]
Just the Beginning Foundation Archives. Dates: 1940-2008. Size: 78 linear feet. Accession #2000/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Just the Beginning Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to honor Judge James Benton Parsons, the first African American appointed to the U.S. District Court with life tenure. The foundation’s mission is to highlight the accomplishments of African Americans in the federal judiciary, and to provide education and outreach to youth on career opportunities in the legal profession. The archives include correspondence, administrative records, photographs, conference proceedings, biographical information on federal judges and audiovisual materials. An addition to the archives consists of the papers of Edward Toles, federal bankruptcy judge and former president of the National Bar Association. [Partially processed]
Juvenile Welfare Association. Dates: 1924-1960. Size: 9 linear feet; 7 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Collection includes records of the Juvenile Welfare Association and materials on founder Bertha Lyons’ Self-Development Course. [Finding aid]
Kellum, David Papers. Dates: 1920-1981. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2004/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. David Kellum was a leading figure at the Chicago Defender from the 1920s through the 1950s. He is credited with the invention of the Bud Billiken character and was an early coordinator of the Bud Billiken Parade. This collection contains early Bud Billiken photographs, funeral programs, videotaped interviews and an oral history interview about David Kellum conducted with his son James Kellum. [Processed]
Kelly, Ernece Papers. Dates: 1964-1975. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2000/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ernece Kelly was an activist in the 1960s Chicago civil rights movement and a staffer for the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations. This collection contains political buttons, books and pamphlets. [Partially processed]
Kensington, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Kinsella, Helen G. Collection. Dates: 1931-1966. Size: 2 linear feet; 71 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. This collection documents Helen G. Kinsella’s career as drama teacher at Lake View High School. The photographs of dramatic productions and student activities are the highlight of the collection. [Processed]
Kircher Family Papers. Dates: 1879-1958. Size: .5 linear foot; 34 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Johannes Kircher was the founding pastor of Bethlehem Evangelical Church. Collection includes materials relating to Kircher family history and the history of the church. [Finding aid]
Knowles Postcard Collection. Dates: ca. 1890-ca. 1967. Size: 93 postcards; 3 postcard booklets. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Postcards of Chicago. [Finding aid]
Krueger, Robert W. Photograph Collection. Dates: 1984-present. Size: ca. 700 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. In 1984, the Library began working with local photographer Robert Krueger to document the North Side. He has made hundreds of photographs of street scenes, parks, businesses, houses, schools, cemeteries, religious institutions, community events and people of the area. [Processed]
Kuumba Theatre Company Collection. Dates: 1968-1996; bulk dates: 1970-1989. Size: 21 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Founded in 1969 by Val Gray Ward. Large collection featuring production history files, administrative records and artistic files. Includes information on Kuumba’s nationally recognized productions: The Amen Corner, The Little Dreamer and In the House of the Blues. Affiliation files in the administrative series document a wide range of artistic, political and social groups with which Kuumba maintained connections. [Processed]
Lake View, see Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection.
Lake View Council on Religious Action. Dates: 1966-1986. Size: .75 linear foot; 89 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The Lake View Council on Religious Action was organized in 1940 by representatives from local churches and synagogues and members of the Kiwanis Club of Lake View. [Processed]
Lake View High School Collection. Dates: 1874-present. Size: 10 linear feet; 83 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Lake View High School at the corner of Ashland Avenue and Irving Park Road was the first high school in Lake View Township. The history of the school is documented in this extensive collection, which includes early annual reports, newspaper clippings, programs and other pieces of ephemera from school events, a run of the school’s Red and White yearbook (1906-1995) and more than 80 photographs. [Processed]
Lambda Pi Alpha, Beta Mu Chapter Archives. Dates: 1970-2002. Size: 14 linear feet. Accession #2003/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Beta Mu Chapter of Lambda Pi Alpha Sorority, an organization of registered nurses, was organized at Provident Hospital in 1954. The archive includes correspondence, photographs, minutes, newspaper clippings, videotapes, souvenir books, programs and constitution bylaws. [Partially processed]
Landers, Ann Collection. Dates: 1951-2002. Size: 36 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection consists of the personal correspondence of “Eppie” Lederer, author of the syndicated advice column, “Ask Ann Landers.” [Partially processed]
Lane Technical High School Collection. Dates: 1912-1988. Size: 4.25 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. In 1934 Lane Technical High School moved from a building at Sedgwick and Division streets to its campus at Addison Street and Western Avenue. This small collection contains files about the school after it moved. [Processed]
Langer, Adam Collection. Dates: 1984-2011. Size: 21 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Adam Langer is a novelist, journalist and playwright. His books include the novels Crossing California, The Washington Story, Ellington Boulevard and The Thieves of Manhattan, as well as the memoir My Father’s Bonus March. The collection documents Langer’s career. It contains drafts of his published and unpublished books, scripts, research notes, promotional materials, articles he wrote for the Chicago Reader and nearly a full run of Chicago-based Subnation. [Finding aid]
Lattimer, Agnes Papers. Dates: 1963-1990. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2001/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A 1954 graduate of Chicago Medical School, Agnes Lattimer was the college’s first African American alumna. After working as director of ambulatory pediatrics at Michael Reese Hospital, she took a similar position at Cook County Hospital. From 1986 to1995 she was medical director of Cook County Hospital. Her papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence and photographs. [Unprocessed]
Lawndale-Crawford Community Collection. Dates: 1873-1979. Size: 4.5 linear feet; 755 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Lawndale-Crawford Historical Association Papers. Dates: 1934-1953. Size: 3 linear feet; 31 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Learning Logic Foundation Archives. Dates: 1990-1996. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1994/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Learning Logic Foundation, headed by Calvin Pearce, was a non-profit think tank created to promote educational discussion and experimental programs between senior citizens and school-age youth. The collection includes correspondence, bylaws, board meeting minutes and neighborhood gang violence reports. [Partially processed]
Lems-Dworkin, Carol Papers. Dates: 1928-1992. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1992/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Musician, teacher and author Carol Lems-Dworkin donated correspondence, photographs of African American jazz musicians, press releases and sheet music. [Processed]
Lerner, Michael S. Papers. Dates: 1953-1985. Size: .5 linear foot; 7 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Among other topics, this collection contains information about the planning and design of the Abraham Lincoln statue at Lincoln, Lawrence and Western avenues. [Processed]
Les Cameos Archives. Dates: 1955-2004. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2004/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Les Cameos is an African American women’s social organization founded in 1951 as a group of mothers of Girl Scouts, but that continued as a club with parties and charitable events. The organization’s archives include photograph albums, programs and newspaper clippings. [Partially processed]
Lincoln Square, see Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection.
The Links, Inc. Chicago Chapter Archives. Dates: 1950-2006. Size: 78 linear feet. Accession #1999/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Links, Inc. is a national women’s service organization founded in 1946 in Philadelphia. The Chicago chapter was founded in 1950. The chapter has included such notable members as Madeline Stratton Morris, Edith Sampson, Oneida Cockrell and Olive Diggs. The Links, Inc. archives include organizational records, annual cotillion books, program booklets, newsletters, conference proceedings, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Liss, Ted Collection. Dates: 1953-1992. Size: 7 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Archive documenting the work of Ted Liss, a Chicago actor, teacher and director. Liss was the founder of the Chicago Equity Library Theater, the Ted Liss School of Performing Arts and the Ted Liss Studio Actors Workshop. Collection includes biographical files on Liss, information on the studio and school of performing arts, a financial series and a selection of commercial scripts. [Processed]
Little, Mrs. Frank Ephemera Collection. Dates: 1874-1888. Size: Flat files. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Mrs. Frank Little assembled a collection of broadsides, programs and flyers from local events in 19th century Ravenswood. [Unprocessed]
Livingston, Dorothy Rogers Papers. Dates: 1941. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1998/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Dorothy Rogers Livingston, a program coordinator for the Chicago Park District in 1941, collected play scripts and memorabilia from Federal Theater Project plays presented in the parks. Her papers consist of these play scripts and memorabilia. From 1942 through 1950, she was program director for Parkway Community House, the innovative settlement house led by Horace Cayton. Additional materials of Dorothy Rogers Livingston are located in Horace Cayton’s papers. [Processed]
Lockett, Cherie Papers. Dates: 1952-1954. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2007/12. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This collection consists of rare promotional and descriptive materials on the first years of Lake Meadows, a middle-class housing development in Bronzeville owned by New York Life Insurance Corporation. [Processed]
Logan, Arthur Papers. Dates: 1924-1997. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2000/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Arthur Logan, a graphic artist, singer and choirmaster, was graphic designer for the 1927-1929 “Wonder Books,” edited by Frederic H. Robb. Logan was later active in Chicago churches as a choirmaster through the 1980s. His papers include early Wendell Phillips High School yearbooks, gospel music programs, photographs, clippings, sheet music and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Logan Square, see also Jefferson Township Collection.
Logan Square Community Collection. Dates: 1935-1945. Size: .5 linear foot; 31 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. [Processed]
Logsdon, Joseph Papers. Dates: 1960-61. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1961/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers consist of his typed dissertation submitted to the University of Chicago for a master of arts in social sciences. The dissertation traces the Rev. Archibald J. Carey and his impact on politics in Chicago. [Processed]
Loop Players Theater Collection. Dates: 1962-2005. Size: 2 linear feet; 137 photographs; 521 slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Processed]
Lower West Side Community Collection. Dates: 1906-1944. Size: .25 linear foot; 8 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Lyons, Bertha, see Juvenile Welfare Association.
MacDonald, J. Fred Papers. Dates: 1955-1974. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2010/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. J. Fred MacDonald is professor emeritus at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago and president of MacDonald & Associates, a historical film archives based in Chicago. The collection includes DVD transfers documenting black arts, television and radio during the early 20th century. [Unprocessed]
Mackel, Audley Papers. Dates: 1925-1970. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2003/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Audley Mackel was a prominent dentist in the Vicksburg-Natchez, Mississippi area. In the 1950s he was active in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, headed by T.R.M. Howard. In a legendary incident, he drove Howard in a hearse past Ku Klux Klan gunners. Mackel was also instrumental in an NAACP lawsuit challenging “separate but equal.” The papers include correspondence, original petitions, photographs, speeches, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Made in Chicago Collection. Dates: 1980s-present. Size: 25 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. The Made in Chicago Collection consists of various smaller collections of musical material, both scores that were published in Chicago and recordings made here (including recordings made at the Harold Washington Library Center). The following collections have been consolidated into the Made in Chicago Collection: Herbert James Wrightson Collection, Saugatuck/Douglas Music Festivals Collection and National Music Company Collection. Partially indexed in an MS Access database. [Partially processed]
Magic Circle Theatre Collection. Dates: 1972-1977. Size: .5 linear foot; photographs and videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Theater founded by Goodman School alumnus Guy Giarrizzo and dedicated to the investigation of innovative techniques and the development of new plays. Became one of the resident theaters at the Body Politic in 1973. Collection consists of promotional and production records including programs, posters, flyers and reviews. There are also copies of several original scripts from early shows. [Processed]
Manney, Edward Papers. Dates: 1980-1992. Size: 11 linear feet. Accession #1992/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Edward Manney was the assistant curator of the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature from 1984 to 1992. His personal collection consists of manuscripts, books, posters, memorabilia, theater programs, newspaper clippings, videos, color slides, campaign materials from Harold Washington’s 1983 mayoral election and exhibit catalogs. [Partially processed]
Mardis, Geraldine Lane Papers. Dates: 1920-1942. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2003/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Geraldine Lane Mardis’ grandfather Alexander Lane graduated from Rush Medical College in 1895 and served as an Illinois state legislator. Her family vacationed at Idlewild, Mich., beginning in the 1920s. While a student at University of Chicago, Mardis was the subject of a racially motivated controversy. Her papers include correspondence, newspapers clippings, Idlewild and Chicago photographs, and memorabilia. [Processed]
Martin & Morris Collection. Dates: 1940-1975. Size: 14 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. This collection of 1,500 scores is almost exclusively gospel vocal music and represents nearly the complete catalog of the publisher, The Martin & Morris Music Studio. Scores are fully cataloged with MARC records in the Library’s catalog. [Processed]
Martin & Morris Music, Inc. Papers. Dates: 1905-1980. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2003/14. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. When the Martin & Morris store was closing in the 1990s, gospel music devotees bought up the store’s remaining sheet music stock. The papers include more than 300 gospel music titles, some of them rare. [Processed]
Martin, Rev. George Papers. Dates: 1901-1972. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2000/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers of the Rev. George Martin, D.D., an A.M.E. minister originally from Kansas City, Mo., were donated by his daughter, Chestine Warfield Allen. Martin was sent in 1916 to serve A.M.E. congregations in the Pacific Northwest, where he was a pastor in Portland, Ore., Seattle and Spokane, Wash. He later returned to Kansas City as a pastor and was influential in the A.M.E. church nationally. His papers include correspondence, photographs and memorabilia. [Processed]
Mason, Grace Papers/Atkinson Photograph Collection. Dates: 1880-1920. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1992/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Grace Mason, a descendant of pioneering Chicago African American photographer Franklin Atkinson Henderson, donated his collection of nearly 100 photo portraits of “prominent Negro Chicagoans.” Photos were created from 1885 to 1915. Many of these photos were exhibited at the 1940 American Negro Exposition. The papers include photos of the “Old Settlers” and an official register of the Chicago Old Settlers Club, founded by Ida McIntosh Dempsey in 1904. Later Scott family records and photographs are also included. [Partially processed]
Maxey-Boyd, Alva Beatrice Papers. Dates: 1930-2003. Size: 10 linear feet. Accession #2010/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Alva Maxey-Boyd was a community organizer active in civil rights, urban renewal and historic preservation. She taught at Roosevelt and Northeastern Illinois universities. Her papers include correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, subject research files and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Mayoral Press Office Photographs. Dates: ca. 1978-1983; 1987-1989. Size: 54 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Photographs of Mayor Michael Bilandic, Mayor Jane Byrne and Acting Mayor Eugene Sawyer, taken by the City’s Press Office. [Unprocessed]
McBride, William Papers. Dates: 1907-1995. Size: 45 linear feet. Accession #1995/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. From the 1930s through the 1980s, William McBride was an artist, political activist and collector of Bronzeville cultural memorabilia. During the early 1940s, he played a prominent role with the South Side Community Art Center, serving as its publicity director. His papers include early SSCAC organizational and publicity files. Also included are extensive files of cultural and political activities, correspondence, fliers, programs, posters, playbills, art studies and photographs. [Finding aid]
McGill Family Papers. Dates: 1870-2008. Size: 13 linear feet. Accession #2004/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Nathan K. McGill, a native Floridian, had a profound impact on Chicago journalism and law. In 1925, he was appointed assistant state’s attorney in Chicago. A confidant of Robert Abbott, he later served as general manager, vice president and counsel of the Chicago Defender. He was also a member of the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors. From 1934 to 1937, he published his own newspaper, Metropolitan News. Nathan McGill’s papers consist of newspaper clippings, serials, rare documents, photographs and memorabilia. The McGill Family Papers also include materials from Nathan McGill’s brother, Simuel D. McGill, a civil rights attorney who represented the Scottsboro Boys, and items from their descendants. [Finding aid]
Merritt, Michael. Size: 3.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
Metcalfe, Ralph Papers. Dates: 1934-1975. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1993/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ralph Metcalfe was an Olympic track athlete and was later elected a Chicago alderman and Congressman. The papers include early correspondence, awards, photographs, official documents and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Milk Dealers’ Association Ledger and Minute Book. Dates: November 1889-August 1895. Size: 1 ledger book. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. Collection centers on the Roseland neighborhood. [Finding aid]
Millennium Park, Inc. Archives. Dates: 1992-present. Size: 15 linear feet; 755 photographs; 13 videotapes; 6 CDs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Millennium Park, Inc. Archives contain information from the early planning stage of Chicago’s “Lakefront Millennium Project” in 1998 through the completion and opening of Millennium Park in 2004. The majority of the collection consists of presentation boards showing elevations, site plans, renderings and architectural sections of the various sites in the park. The sites represented in the collection include the Jay Pritzker Music Pavilion and the B.P. Pedestrian Bridge, designed by Frank Gehry; Cloud Gate, designed by Anish Kapoor; Crown Fountain, designed by Jaume Plensa; the Lurie Garden, designed by Gustafson, Guthrie, Nichol, Ltd.; Millennium Monument and Wrigley Square; the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, designed by Thomas Beeby; the Exelon Pavilions, designed by Thomas Beeby and Renzo Piano; and the Boeing Galleries. There are a number of artifacts in the collection including a scale model of Cloud Gate, architectural models of the Lurie Garden by the three finalists in the international garden competition, models of the Crown Fountain and a model of the Millennium Monument, or Peristyle, in Wrigley Square. See also photographs from the Millennium Park, U.S. Equities Realty Collection in the Library’s Millennium Park Digital Collection. [Finding aid]
Millennium Park, U.S. Equities Realty Collection. Dates: 1999-2005. Size: 54 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. U.S. Equities Realty was retained to act as owners’ representative for many of the enhancements to Millennium Park. These photographs document the development and construction of the major sites in Millennium Park. All of these photographs are digital and in color. Photographs from this collection are available in the Library’s Millennium Park Digital Collection. [Finding aid]
Minor, Frances Papers. Dates: 1863-2009. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2002/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A Chicago public school educator and South Side Community Art Center and African American history activist, Frances Minor’s papers focus on African Americans in Chicago, Minnesota and Mississippi. Other topics include her late husband, school administrator Byron Minor; Judge Irvin C. Mollison; and St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church. The collection consists of programs, clippings, serials, correspondence, funeral programs, scrapbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Minor, Myrtis Papers. 1948-1999. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2004/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. As a high school student in Jackson, Miss., Minor was one of the leaders of a 1949 bus boycott for civil rights. Her papers document the boycott, her career as a nurse at Provident Hospital and her activities in community organizations. They consist of oral history audio recordings, programs, yearbooks, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Montrose, Ruth Papers. Dates: 1962-1979. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1981/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ruth Montrose was a social worker active in the National Council of Negro Women, the League of Black Women, the National Association of Black Social Workers and the Chicago Urban League. Her papers include a wide range of music, theater and political programs as well as flyers, correspondence and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Mootry, Maria Papers. Dates: 1970-1997. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2001/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Poet, literary critic and essayist Maria Mootry was a professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield and the author of literary criticism on Gwendolyn Brooks. Her papers include original manuscripts, correspondence, conference programs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Morgan Park Co-op Credit Union Archives. Dates: 1940-1990. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #2001/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Morgan Park Co-op Credit Union, founded in 1940, is the oldest African American credit union in Chicago. The collection contains photographs, legal documents, history brochures and memorabilia. [Processed]
Morris, Aldon Papers. Dates: 1990-2005. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1998/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Professor of sociology and African American studies at Northwestern University, Aldon Morris is the author of Origins of the Civil Rights Movement. His papers include published and unpublished articles, speeches and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Morris, Madeline Stratton Papers. Dates: 1941-1995. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #2003/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Madeline Stratton Morris’ papers document her work as an educator, author and activist in the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. As a Chicago schoolteacher during World War II, she developed the first “Negro History” curriculum to be adopted by a U.S. public school system. Later, she was the author of black history books for young people. Her papers include correspondence, her original curriculum guide, manuscripts of published and unpublished works, photographs, programs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Morrow, E. Frederic Papers. Dates: 1952-1996. Size: 13 linear feet. Accession #2000/11. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Best known as a member of President Eisenhower’s White House staff, E. Frederic Morrow worked for the Urban League, the NAACP and CBS radio before joining Eisenhower’s campaign in 1952. He served on the White House staff from 1955 through 1960 and wrote a memoir, Black Man in the White House. His papers include manuscripts, correspondence, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Mosby, Sisi Donald Papers. Dates: 1963-1968. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1997/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Civil rights activist, journalist and historian Donald Mosby published The Struggle, a 1960s civil rights newspaper, and did most of the writing on a biography of Ulysses Grant Dailey. Papers include rare newspapers, original manuscripts and speeches, and page proofs. [Processed]
Motley, Willard Papers. Dates: 1940-1950. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2002/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This small group of Willard Motley’s papers includes newspaper clippings, manuscripts and journal articles by Motley. Also included is significant correspondence between Motley and William P. Shenk, co-founder of Hull House literary magazine. [Finding aid]
Moye, Don/Art Ensemble of Chicago Papers. Dates: 1970-1990. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #1993/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Don Moye is best known as one of the members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the avant-garde jazz group that emerged in the 1970s. The papers include posters, programs, audiovisual materials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Musicians Union, see American Federation of Musicians.
National Alliance of Black Feminists, see Eichelberger, Brenda/National Alliance of Black Feminists.
National Association of Negro Musicians Papers, see Brooks, Sydonia/National Association of Negro Musicians Papers.
National Black Nurses Association, Chicago Chapter Archives. Dates: 1970-2005. Size: 38 linear feet. Accession #2003/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Chicago Chapter of National Black Nurses Association, established in 1970, is dedicated to collective action by nurses to investigate and advocate for the health care needs of African Americans, and to implement strategies that ensure access to equal health care. The archives include official documents, minutes, programs, investigative reports, correspondence, clippings, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
National Jewish Theater Collection. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Unprocessed]
Nesbitt, Prexy Papers. Dates: 1968-1996. Size: 36 linear feet. Accession #1996/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Prexy Nesbitt was a leader in organizing Chicago’s support for southern African liberation and against apartheid. He wrote extensively on southern Africa and collected materials on liberation movements there. His papers include manuscripts, programs, rare serials and subject research files. [Partially processed]
Norman Press Collection. Dates: 1878-1965. Size: 3 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection consists of keepsakes, booklets and printed promotional materials published by or in conjunction with the Norman Press and the Black Cat Press, or by bookmaker/typographer Norman Forgue, founder of the Norman Press. [Processed]
North Center, see Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection.
North Lawndale Community Collection. Dates: 1872-1956. Size: 2.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
North Park, see Jefferson Township Collection.
Northlight Theatre Collection. Dates: 1975-present. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Founded as the Evanston Theatre Company in 1975 and dedicated to producing thought-provoking plays, while also providing community service programs for Chicago and the northern suburbs. Collection consists primarily of promotional material such as programs, press releases, reviews and clippings, although there are a small number of prompt scripts from productions in the 1980s. [Finding aid]
Northwest Federation of Improvement Clubs. Dates: 1914-1954. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. Records of citizens’ associations formed to bring about community improvements. Covers an area of the Northwest Side from North Avenue (1600 N) north to the city limits and from Western Avenue (2400 W) west to the city limits. [Finding aid]
Norwood Park Community Collection. Dates: 1906-1976. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 29 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. [Processed]
Office of Civilian Defense Records. Dates: 1942-1945. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 24 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. Collection includes community news items. [Finding aid]
Old Pops & Piano Music Single Sheets. Dates: 1850s-1980s. Size: 72 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Old Pops comprises single song sheet music in alphabetical sequence in 286 boxes; 8 additional boxes contain Chicago songs, war songs and Christmas songs. Music Single Sheets are instrumental piano pieces filed alphabetically with Old Pops. A finding aid exists in the form of an MS Access database. [Processed]
Old Town Players Collection. Dates: 1967-1984. Size: ca. 78 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. The Old Town Players were a community theater group that used both professional and amateur actors to bring new plays, musicals and Chicago premieres to the stage. Collection documents the production, financial and general history of the Old Town Players. [Partially processed]
O’Quinn Family Collection. Dates: 1943-1984. Size: .75 linear foot; 109 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Lawndale Community Collections. Collection reflects the O’Quinn family’s participation in Lawndale community affairs. [Finding aid]
Organic Theater Collection. Dates: 1977-1993. Size: 57 linear feet; photographs and videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Founded in 1969 by Stuart and Carolyn Purdy Gordon, The Organic is best known for staging Warp, a science fiction epic adventure written by Stuart Gordon and Bury St. Edmund, as well as hosting many outstanding actors who are today nationally recognized, including Dennis Franz and Joe Mantegna. Collection consists of four series of records: artistic, administrative, outreach and production history. The production files contain primarily promotional materials such as programs, press releases and reviews, while the administrative files document a general history of the theater. [Partially processed]
Owen, Chandler Papers. Dates: 1922-1972. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2010/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Chandler Owen was a writer, editor and labor activist who co-founded the radical socialist journal The Messenger with A. Philip Randolph. He later worked as managing editor of the Chicago Bee newspaper. This small group of papers includes original typescripts of several of Owen’s speeches and essays. [Unprocessed]
Palmer, Alice and Edward (“Buzz”) Papers. Dates: 1950-2005. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2006/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Alice Palmer, an educator and human rights activist, worked on Harold Washington’s campaigns and served as an Illinois state senator. She was active in Chicago’s civil rights movement of the 1960s and in international dialogues beginning in the 1980s. Her husband, “Buzz” Palmer, a former police officer, was one of the founders of the Afro-American Patrolmen’s League and has been active in international human rights work. Their papers include correspondence, subject research files, programs, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Parada, Esther Papers. Dates: 1929-1993. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #2007/15. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. In 1992, Esther Parada, an artist and professor at University of Illinois at Chicago, created an exhibit entitled, “Who Dis/Covers, Who Dis/Colors?” The exhibit investigated the struggle of African Americans for representation of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable at the 1933 Century of Progress international exposition in Chicago. The papers include original art by Parada, research materials from the period of the exposition and press coverage of the 1992 exhibit. [Partially processed]
Parkway Community House, see Horace Cayton Papers.
Passovoy, Lorraine Papers. Dates: 1968-1985. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1987/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Lorraine Passovoy’s papers include research materials and correspondence on the life of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. [Processed]
Path Press Archives. Dates: 1961-1996. Size: 41 linear feet. Accession #1997/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. One of the first black-owned publishing companies in the United States, Path Press was founded in Chicago in 1969 by novelist Herman C. Gilbert and civil rights veteran Bennett Johnson. The company was active until 2001 and had considerable success with Gilbert’s novel, The Negotiations. The archives include published and unpublished manuscripts, correspondence, administrative records, publicity, distribution/sales files and photographs. Additional materials were accessioned relating to unpublished authors at Path Press. [Finding aid]
Patricca, Nicholas A. Collection. Dates: 1980-1994. Size: 3 linear feet; videotapes (see Chicago Theater Videotape Collection). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Collection documents the work of Nicholas Patricca, a Chicago playwright and an artistic director at Chicago New Plays, a collective service organization dedicated to the development of playwrights working in Chicago. Materials include original scripts and production materials for 18 plays written by Patricca. [Finding aid]
Patricia Liddell Researchers (PLR) Archives. Dates: 1920-2006. Size: 75 linear feet. Accession #1994/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Patricia Liddell Researchers is an African American genealogical society co-founded by Adlean Harris and Thelma Eldridge. The PLR’s initial donation of 2 linear feet has grown exponentially along with the surge in interest in genealogy. The PLR archive includes over 10,000 funeral programs, surname indexes, organizational files, program materials, conference workshops, meeting records, genealogical serials and a wide variety of national genealogical information. [Finding aid]
Paul, Rick Collection. Dates: 1969-1977. Size: Oversize materials. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Rick Paul is a well-known Chicago set designer of plays, ballets, operas and films. Collection consists of set renderings from four productions. [Processed]
Paul, Stanley Collection. Dates: 1919-1991. Size: 48 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. More than 1,100 recordings, primarily LPs and 78s, from the personal collection of the society orchestra leader, as well as manuscript arrangements of popular songs, various documents and more than 100 pieces of memorabilia, including photographs, clippings and scrapbooks of the Pump Room and the Ambassador East Hotel. [Processed]
Pegasus Players Collection. Dates: 1978-present. Size: 3 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Pegasus Players is located at Truman College. Collection consists of promotional materials such as programs, reviews and clippings. [Processed]
People for Community Recovery Archives. Dates: 1983-2008. Size: 62 linear feet. Accession #2009/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. People for Community Recovery is a community organization located in the Chicago Housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens project on Chicago’s far Southeast Side. Founded in 1979 by Altgeld Gardens resident Hazel Johnson, PCR demanded cleanup of toxic waste surrounding the community and pressed for repair work. The organization also coined the term “environmental racism.” The archives include correspondence, organization files, programs and newspaper clippings. [Unprocessed]
PerformInk Collection. Dates: 1987-2005. Size: 29 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. The PerformInk Collection contains press releases and other promotional materials that Chicago-area theaters sent to the PerformInk offices between 1987 and 2005. [Finding aid]
Perkins, Marion/Perkins Family Papers. Dates: 1938-2003. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #2006/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Arkansas-born and Chicago-based Marion Perkins was an acclaimed sculptor; his works are held at the Art Institute of Chicago and DuSable Museum. From the late 1930s until his death in 1961, Perkins was a radical activist whose art reflected his perspectives. One of his sons, Useni (Eugene) Perkins, is an accomplished poet and essayist who was a leader in the Black Arts Movement. The papers include Marion Perkins’ writings, photographs and articles about his work. Also included are plays, poetry and interviews by Useni Perkins. [Partially processed]
Pinkney, Nannie Papers. Dates: 1950-1965. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1994/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. In the 1950s, Nannie Pinkney was a clerk at George Cleveland Hall Branch Library. Her papers include an oral history audiotape on the Hall Branch and the last years of Vivian Harsh’s life, as well as photographs. [Processed]
Piven Theatre Workshop Collection. Dates: 1975-2001. Size: 2.5 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Established in 1974 by Byrne and Joyce Piven, who were also founding members of the Playwright’s Theatre, the group that spawned Second City. The workshop is located in Evanston and boasts such recognizable alums as Joan and John Cuzack, Aidan Quinn and Jeremy Piven. The collection includes information on Piven Theatre Workshop productions as well as promotional material on classes and workshops. [Finding aid]
Pollard, Fritz Papers. Dates: 1916-2003. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2005/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. An early and exceptional football star, Fritz Pollard played for Lane Tech High School and Brown University, and in the National Football League. The papers include clippings, research files and photographs collected by Eleanor Towns. [Unprocessed]
Portage Park Community Collection. Dates: 1904-1944. Size: .25 linear foot; 20 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. [Processed]
Prince Hall Freemasonry Archives. Dates: 1955-1997. Size: 10 linear feet. Accession #1997/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers, donated by Brian Abrams, Robert DeCuir and Isaac Washington, include rare serials, Masonic proceedings, lodge materials, directories, programs, annual reports, bylaws, amendments and memorial services. [Partially processed]
Pullman Collection, Historic. Dates: 1882-1979. Size: 4 linear feet; 1 scrapbook; 97 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Pullman, see also the Calumet Region Community Collection.
Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church Archives. Dates: 1905-1999. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #2001/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The oldest African American congregation in Chicago, Quinn Chapel A.M.E. was founded in 1844. The archive includes anniversary books, programs, newsletters, membership registers, financial records and photographs. [Partially processed]
Ravenswood Congregational Church Records. Dates: 1870-1969. Size: 1 linear foot; 43 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The Ravenswood Congregational Church, the first church in Ravenswood, began holding services in 1870. In 1969, nearly 100 years later, the church closed. Records in the collection include files from the board of trustees, the church clerk, and several of the pastors and church committees. Also included are publications from the church with historical sketches of Ravenswood. [Processed]
Ravenswood Gardens Homeowners Association Records. Dates: 1915-1982. Size: 1 linear foot; 32 photographs; 894 slides. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Developed by Realtor William Harmon in conjunction with Ravenswood Manor, Ravenswood Gardens is on the east bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Items in the collection include a manuscript history of the neighborhood and minutes of community meetings, beginning with the group’s split from the Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association in 1944. Also included are miscellaneous historical files about the neighborhood. [Processed]
Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection. Dates: 1844-present. Size: 18 linear feet; 1,900 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The collection contains material about the old Lake View Township. Today, this area includes the communities of Lake View, North Center, Lincoln Square (Ravenswood), Uptown and Edgewater. Material in the collection was acquired from many sources and includes ephemera, maps, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, manuscripts and historical sketches. [Processed]
Ravenswood Manor Improvement Association Records. Dates: 1914-1987. Size: 5.5 linear feet; 84 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Realtor William Harmon developed Ravenswood Manor in conjunction with Ravenswood Gardens. Ravenswood Manor is on the west bank of the North Branch of the Chicago River running from Montrose Avenue to Lawrence Avenue. The collection includes board minutes, newspaper clippings, newsletters, files about special events, maps and photographs. [Processed]
Ravenswood Woman’s Club Records. Dates: 1894-1974. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 5 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. Organized in 1889 as a literary club, the Ravenswood Woman’s Club eventually broadened its scope to include social and civic activities. The club dissolved in 1974. The records include a history of the club, club annuals (1891-1974), minutes of the board of managers (1956-1974), minutes of club meetings (1948-1968) and newspaper clippings. [Processed]
Reid, Loudella Evans Papers. Dates: 1958-2005. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2006/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Legendary gospel singer and choirmaster Loudella Evans Reid led the choir at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church for more than 50 years. Her papers include church programs, newsletters, audiovisual materials, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Restuccia, Rusty Papers. Dates: 1919-2011. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2009/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Rusty Restuccia, a retired Ford Motor Co. executive, runs a website dedicated to the history of African Americans in the automobile industry. His papers center on his research and writing on the history of African American-owned car dealerships, including those in Chicago, Kansas City, Mo., and Detroit. [Unprocessed]
Rich, Faith Collection. Size: 30 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Unprocessed]
Richardson, James M. Papers. Dates: 1890-1990. Size: 118 linear feet. Accession #1995/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. James Richardson, M.D., was an ophthalmologist at Provident Hospital and civil rights activist from the 1940s through the 1990s. He also studied his family history in Oklahoma and Texas. Richardson’s papers include correspondence, subject research files, programs, Howard University and medical periodicals, newspaper clippings, early photographs from Oklahoma and Texas, and rare historical materials from Provident Hospital. [Partially processed]
Riverdale, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Robert Shook Collection. Dates: 1962-1993. Size: 6 linear feet; 279 drawings. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Robert Shook’s award-winning lighting designs have been seen at many of Chicagoland’s theaters, as well as throughout the city along Michigan Avenue and illuminating many of the city’s best-loved works of art. Collection includes annotated scripts and drawings for theatrical productions. [Processed]
Rollins, Charlemae Hill Papers. Dates: 1932-1979. Size: 56 linear feet. Accession #1980/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Charlemae Rollins served as children’s librarian at the Hall Branch of the Chicago Public Library from 1932 to 1963 and was a nationally recognized pioneer in the development of multicultural children’s literature. Her papers include correspondence, scrapbooks, clipping files, memorabilia, photographs and published and unpublished essays, as well as Rollins’ personal library. [Partially processed]
Rollins, Joseph W., Jr. Papers. Dates: 1930-2004. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #1994/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Joseph Rollins, Jr., son of Hall Branch librarian Charlemae Rollins, grew up in the Rosenwald, attended DuSable High School and served in World War II. In the 1960s he became an executive in the federal government’s Office of Economic Opportunity. He was later in a leading position at Arthur Anderson, Inc. After the death of his mother in 1979, Rollins dedicated himself to documenting and perpetuating her legacy. His papers include photographs and memorabilia from Bronzeville and from World War II, correspondence and clipping files from his work at OEO and Arthur Anderson, and extensive files on celebrations and conferences on the work of Charlemae Rollins. [Partially processed]
Rosen, Stan Papers. Dates: 1960-1992. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1997/08. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Labor history educator Stan Rosen’s papers include materials on Chicago’s African American labor activists. [Unprocessed]
Roseland, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Rosemoor, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
Rosofsky, Seymour Collection. Dates: 1953-1954, 1977. Size: 59 drawings. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Seymour Rosofsky (1924-1981) was part of a generation of post-war independent-minded Chicago artists and a founding member of the Chicago Imagist tradition. Collection includes drawings, paintings and lithographs of scenes from the Salt Creek Summer Theater and also of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir George Solti. [Finding aid]
Rushing, Fannie Papers. Dates: 1963-2004. Size: 12 linear feet. Accession #2006/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Fannie Rushing, a professor at Benedictine University, was an early activist in Chicago Friends of SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee). Her papers document the civil rights movement in Chicago and the South, and her involvement in human rights work internationally. Included are correspondence, clipping files, programs, manuscripts, photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Saffold, Howard Papers. Dates: 1968-1994. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #2010/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers consist primarily of newsclippings and photographs related to the history of the African American Police League in Chicago. [Unprocessed]
Sampson, Rev. Al Papers. Dates: 1960-1970. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1993/06, Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Rev. Albert Sampson, ordained by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was active in the 1960s civil rights movement. He is the pastor of Fernwood United Methodist Church. His papers include clippings, photographs and memorabilia from his early civil rights activities. [Unprocessed]
Sandburg, Carl Collection. Size: 5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. [Unprocessed]
Sang, Phillip Papers. Dates: 1680-1910. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #1978/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Phillip Sang was a collector of manuscript materials and memorabilia on slavery and abolitionism. His papers include original documents from slave owners, slave traders and insurance companies. Other materials include correspondence, photographs, speeches, pamphlets and memorabilia by abolitionists and about the abolitionist movement. [Partially processed]
Sarah Siddons Society Records. Dates: 1849-2000; bulk dates: 1952-2000. Size: 4.5 linear feet; 710 photographs; 73 slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Includes administrative records, as well as files kept by the society regarding winners of annual actress/actor of the year awards, leading lady awards and scholarship awards. Also photographs of society events and award recipients. [Finding aid]
Saunders, Doris E. Papers. Dates: 1920-2006. Size: 75 linear feet. Accession #1994/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Doris Saunders served as a librarian at the Hall Branch during World War II. In 1949, she went to work at Johnson Publishing Company, establishing its corporate library and later directing its Book Publishing Division. From the 1970s through the 1990s, she was chair of the Department of Mass Communications at Jackson State University. Her papers include correspondence, manuscripts, Bronzeville-era memorabilia, subject research files, rare serials, programs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Sawyer, Eugene Collection. Dates: ca. 1987-ca. 1989. Size: 99 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives and Collections. Alderman Eugene Sawyer was acting mayor after the death of Mayor Harold Washington in 1987 until the 1989 mayoral election. [Unprocessed]
Schupp, Rev. Ronald Papers. Dates: 1981-1995. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1997/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Rev. Ronald Schupp was active in Chicago’s anti-apartheid movement and in efforts to aid the homeless. His papers include programs and clippings. [Processed]
Schwartzberg, Hugh J. Poetry Collection. Dates: ca. 1965-1996. Size: 10 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. This collection focuses on poetry activity in and around Chicago. The collection comprises manuscript material, videotapes and LP records. Hugh Schwartzberg, a poet and enthusiast, collected manuscripts of primarily local but also nationally known poets. He videotaped poets reading their work at public programs and collected LPs of internationally renowned poets and writers reading their work, or readings by well-known actors. In addition to the archival collection, there is a book collection of first edition, signed poetry volumes. [Processed]
Scott, William Edouard Papers. Dates: 1846-2007. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #2005/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. William Edouard Scott was a prominent painter, illustrator and muralist who studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Scott was one of the first nationally known African American artists in Chicago, and his work is held in many museums and private collections. His papers include biographical materials, correspondence, programs, clippings, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Scottsdale Homeowners Association Records. Dates: 1916-2006; bulk dates: 1952-2006. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. The Scottsdale Homeowners Association was established in 1952 by residents of Scottsdale, a newly formed neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago. This collection documents association activities through newsletters, meeting minutes, programs, clippings and photographs. [Finding aid]
Second City Collection. Dates: 1961-1987. Size: 3 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Processed]
Sengstock, Charles Collection. Dates: 1940s-1990s. Size: 45 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Music historian Charles A. Sengstock, Jr. has, since the early 1960s, researched and written extensively about the development of jazz in Chicago. Sengstock has donated some 1,200 items, including reel-to-reel and cassette tapes, LPs, 78s, 45s, books, a few transcriptions and a small selection of sheet music. Emphasizing Chicago dance bands from their beginnings, the collection includes rare, non-commercial tapes of performances from such famed local venues as the Aragon and Willowbrook ballrooms, as well as commercial recordings of bandleaders associated with Chicago and manuscript notes. [Partially processed]
Shaw, Laura Bell Papers. Dates: 1948-1988. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2003/13. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Laura Bell Shaw served as president of the Women’s Auxiliary board of Provident Hospital in the early 1980s. She was also an organizer of an early African American women’s golf organization. Her papers include programs, rare serials and newspaper clippings.
Shepherd, Barbara Papers. Dates: 1940-1942. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1999/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Barbara Shepherd worked on the 1940 American Negro Exposition held at the Chicago Coliseum. She also served in staff positions in several social service organizations. This small photograph collection is one of the few sources that documents the construction and activities of the 1940 exposition. [Processed]
Shook, Robert, see Robert Shook Collection.
Siddons, Sarah Society Records, see Sarah Siddons Society Records.
Simeon, Neal F. Papers. Dates: 1916-1963. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1979/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Simeon, one of the 16 teachers who organized Dunbar Trade School (now Dunbar Vocational High School) in 1948, later served as acting director of Dunbar and director of Vocational Education Centers for the Chicago Board of Education. His papers consist of scrapbooks of educational clippings, correspondence, photographs and college transcripts. [Partially processed]
Simmons, Herbert Papers. Dates: 1961-1962. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1961/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Born in St. Louis in 1931, Herbert Simmons was one of the earliest black genre crime writers. His protagonists fought the restrictive nature of white society toward black men. His papers include galleys of Simmons’ novel Man Walking on Eggshells with author’s marginalia. [Processed]
Skinner, Clementine Papers. Dates: 1930-2002. Size: 22 linear feet. Accession #1993/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Clementine Skinner was a Chicago Public Schools assistant principal, teacher and librarian. She was active during four decades in the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and served as president of the Chicago branch. She was also active in the YWCA, the NAACP and genealogical organizations. Her papers include manuscripts, monographs, correspondence, organizational records, yearbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Smith, Carl E., Jr. Collection. Dates: 1959-1965. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2006/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Carl E. Smith was the general and managing editor for several black magazines in Chicago during the 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes rare serial titles: Tone, Marque and Musically Speaking. [Partially processed]
Smith, Frank W. Glass Plate Slide Collection. Dates: 1873-1903. Size: 784 glass plate slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Photographic collection covering a broad spectrum of Chicago history. [Finding aid]
Smith, Homer Papers. Dates: ca.1964. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1994/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Homer Smith’s memoir, Black Man in Red Russia, was published and promoted by Johnson Publishing Company in 1964. His papers consist of his marginalia in this book and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Smith, Mary Ella Papers. Dates: 1981-1987. Size: 6 linear feet. Accession #2003/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Mary Ella Smith, fiancée to Mayor Harold Washington, took over as head of the Harold Washington Foundation after his untimely death in 1987. Her papers include programs, flyers, newspaper clippings, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Smith, Rosella E. Papers. Dates: 1920-1956. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2005/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Rosella E. Smith’s papers include capital stock certificates from Binga State Bank and Supreme Liberty Life insurance, and receipts. Jesse Binga’s bank was a major black-owned financial institution on Chicago’s South Side. It closed in 1933. [Processed]
Snowstorm Photograph Collection. Date: 2011. Size: 114 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. The 2011 snowstorm started Tuesday afternoon, February 1, 2011. Over 20 inches of snow would eventually descend upon the city with winds measuring up to 70 miles per hour. The Snowstorm Photograph Collection contains photographs of Chicago neighborhoods during or just after the 2011 blizzard. [Finding aid]
South Chicago Community Collection. Dates: 1883-1970. Size: 2 linear feet; 209 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the South Chicago Community Collections. [Finding aid]
South Chicago Community Newspapers Collection. Dates: 1883-1961. Size: 2 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the South Chicago Community Collections. [Finding aid]
South Holland, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
South Lawndale Community Collection. Dates: 1911-1952. Size: 2 linear feet; 21 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Lawndale Community Collections. [Finding aid]
South Shore Community Collection. Dates: 1839-1978. Size: 8 linear feet; 335 photographs; 87 glass plate slides. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the South Shore Community Collections. [Finding aid]
South Shore Historical Society Collection. Dates: 1935-1960. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the South Shore Community Collections. [Finding aid]
South Shore Newspapers Collection. Dates: 1894-1982. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the South Shore Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Southern Africa Support Group Archives. Dates: 1963-1980. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #1985/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This Chicago-based organization aided the cause of African liberation movements in Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and South Africa. The archive includes programs, flyers and a wide array of serials. [Processed]
Spanier, Mugsy Archives. Dates: 1920-2001. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Mugsy Spanier was one of Chicago’s best-loved Dixieland jazz musicians. The collection includes rare promotional material, 300 photographs and negatives, 800 newspaper and magazine clippings and various correspondence – 1,300 items in all. [Processed]
St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church Archives. Dates: 1930-2002. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #2002/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Church of St. Edmund, King and Martyr was founded in 1909 and is one of the oldest predominantly African American Episcopalian churches in Chicago. The collection contains funeral programs, newspaper clippings, anniversary programs and brochures, sermons, serials and photographs. [Processed]
St. James, Michael Photograph Collection. Dates: 1890-1920. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2000/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Photographer Michael St. James collected early images produced by Chicago’s pioneering African American photographers. The collection includes photographs taken in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [Processed]
St. Mark’s Camera Club Papers. Dates: 1987-1992. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #1992/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. St. Mark’s Camera Club was founded by Willie Griffin in 1972. Griffin was also associated with the Washington Park and South Side camera clubs. This collection contains photographs from the camera club of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. [Processed]
St. Nicholas Theatre Company Archives. Dates: 1972-1981. Size: 99 linear feet; photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Partially processed]
Stage Left Theatre Collection. Dates: 1986-2001. Size: 2 linear feet; 107 photographs; 52 oversize files. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Started as a charitable corporation in 1982 to provide a venue for Chicago theater artists to produce new work, Stage Left redefined its mission in 1988 to produce plays that raise the level of debate on political and social issues. Collection consists primarily of promotional material such as programs, press releases, reviews and clippings. The collection also includes more than 100 photographs. [Finding aid]
Starr, Victoria Papers. Dates: 1979-1992. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1997/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A social worker and union organizer beginning in the 1930s, Victoria Kramer Starr was one of the three women present at the 1937 founding of the Packinghouse Workers Organizing Committee. Her papers include United Packinghouse Workers Union of America materials, oral history interviews and newspaper clippings. [Partially processed]
Steppenwolf Theatre Collection. Dates: 1974-present. Size: 36 linear feet; photographs and videotapes (see Chicago Theater Videotape Collection) and oversize materials. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Ensemble theater company founded in 1974 by Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney and Jeff Perry. Company consists of theater artists who have attracted national attention and whose strengths include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. Extensive collection contains three series: audience development, artistic and management. Audience development materials include promotional material for productions and consist of programs, press releases, photographs, reviews and clippings. The artistic files contain production and prompt/production scripts as well as scripts and correspondence submitted for consideration to the ensemble. The management series includes board of directors meeting minutes (1980-1985) and the files and correspondence of the theater’s managing directors during the early 1980s. [Processed]
Stewart, Eva Lee Papers. Dates: 1951-1995. Size: 5 linear feet. Accession #1995/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Eva Lee Stewart was a nurse during Word War II and later a teacher in Cleveland. The collection contains correspondence, diplomas, nursing credentials, Seventh Day Adventist papers, newspaper clippings, diaries, audiotapes, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Stone, Theodore Charles Papers. Dates: 1899-1998. Size: 32 linear feet. Accession #1998/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Theodore Charles Stone served as president of the Chicago Music Association for more than 50 years and as president of the National Association of Negro Musicians. His papers include correspondence, programs, photographs, clippings and memorabilia documenting his career as a concert baritone, his work in the CMA and NANM, and his work as a music writer for several black newspapers in Chicago. [Finding aid]
Stormfield Theatre Collection. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. In its five-season history, Stormfield produced nine world premieres and received numerous Joseph Jefferson Award citations. The collection consists of production files that include programs, promotional material, scripts and prompt scripts, reviews and clippings. [Finding aid]
Streeterville Collection. Dates: 1890-1931. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Collection consists of land and legal records concerning Streeterville acreage. [Finding aid]
Stull, Ann Papers. Dates: 1955-1971. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1999/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Ann Stull was director of Friendship House in Chicago from 1951 to 1955. Friendship House was a Roman Catholic mission that preached and practiced racial tolerance in the pre-civil rights era. Her collection of rare serials and newspaper clippings documents racism, Catholicism’s involvement in interracial justice, labor relations, housing and educational discrimination on Chicago’s West Side. [Processed]
Suburbia Collection. Dates: 1871-1969. Size: .5 linear foot; 13 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. Collection consists of unrelated material from many sources on several suburbs. [Finding aid]
Summerower, Fanniemae and James Papers. Dates: 1960-1995. Size: 18 linear feet. Accession #1999/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Fanniemae Summerower was a schoolteacher, mathematics consultant, philanthropist and widow of real estate broker James Summerower. The couple was prominent in elite Chicago social organizations. The papers include files of social and fraternal organizations, correspondence, audiovisual materials, textbooks, photographs, awards and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Sylvia Campbell Photograph Collection. Dates: 1968. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #2008/04.Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. This small collection of photographs consists of snapshots taken by Sylvia Campbell’s husband on Chicago’s West Side during the April 1968 riot following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. [Processed]
Thatcher, Harold Papers. Dates: 1940-1996. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2002/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Harold Thatcher, M.D., was a dermatologist who trained with famed African American physician Theodore K. Lawless. Thatcher attained the rank of lieutenant colonel during World War II and was a leader in the National Medical Association. His papers include World War II photographs, programs, clippings and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Temple, Willietta Jones Papers. Dates: 1972-2002. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2007/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Willietta Jones Temple was a longtime member of Lilydale First Baptist Church and an activist in Lilydale community organizations. Her papers include church anniversary books, programs, correspondence, newsletters, funeral programs and photographs. Also included are materials from other churches and documentation of Lilydale community organizations’ work. [Partially processed]
Theatre Building Collection. Dates: 1970-present. Size: 46.5 linear feet; photographs and videotapes (see Chicago Theater Videotape Collection). Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. Archive of a performing arts venue that also includes the records for the Theatre Building’s resident companies: Dinglefest Theatre Company, Performance Community and the New Tuners Theatre. Administrative records include annual reports and financial statements, information on benefits and promotional materials. Production history files document the work of Dinglefest, the Performance Community and New Tuners through promotional materials and scripts. [Partially processed]
Thompson, Era Bell Papers. Dates: 1930-1987. Size: 99 linear feet. Accession #1987/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Era Bell Thompson, author of American Daughter and Africa, Land of My Fathers, was a pioneering photojournalist for Ebony and international editor for Johnson Publishing Company for more than 30 years. She was also an important figure in the Chicago Renaissance; her ties to the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature span nearly 50 years. Thompson’s papers include correspondence, diaries, financial records, audio and videotapes, monographs, journals, subject clipping files, photographs and memorabilia. [Processed]
Ton Family Collection. Dates: 1865-1974. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Calumet Region Community Collections. Materials include programs for annual family reunions, 1896-1955. [Finding aid]
Trace, Al Collection. Dates: 1933-1985. Size: 1.5 linear feet, Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. Published and unpublished musical scores of Al Trace, the Chicago-born popular band leader and composer of Mairzy Doats. Newspaper clippings relating to his career.
Trade Catalog Collection. Dates: 1865-1954. Size: 14.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. A growing archive of catalogs and advertisements for goods and services of Chicago’s manufacturers, retail stores, wholesale houses and other businesses. [Finding aid]
Travis, Dempsey Papers. Dates: 1970-2008. Size: 30 linear feet. Accession #2010/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Dempsey Travis was a real estate developer, mortgage broker, author of books on Chicago’s African American history and civil rights activist. His papers include correspondence, typescripts of his books, organizational files, photographs, scrapbooks, subject research files and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Turner, Glennette Tilley Papers. Dates: 1978-2001. Size: 45 linear feet. Accession #2003/11. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Glennette Tilley Turner is the leading authority on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. She is the author of African American history books and books for children. Her papers document more than two decades of research on the Underground Railroad, including manuscripts, subject research files, programs, monographs, photographs and memorabilia. Also included are materials from Tilley Turner’s work for the National Park Service and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. A small group of materials documents the work of her father, the Rev. John L. Tilley, a historian and leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. [Unprocessed]
Turner, Lawrence Papers. Dates: 1972-1988. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1992/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Lawrence Turner, an African American supporter of independent African nations, moved to Tanzania in the 1970s. He established his own business and trained local entrepreneurs. His papers document his life and work in Tanzania. [Processed]
United Woodlawn, Inc. Papers. Dates: 1949-1952. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. Collection documents efforts on behalf of neighborhood improvement projects. [Finding aid]
University of Chicago Folk Festival Collection. Dates: 1961-1995. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Music Information Center. One hundred twenty-five of the 305 hours of tape recordings made during 35 years of the University of Chicago Folk Festival have been converted into WAV files on CD. The original tapes were recorded with excellent quality by fine arts radio station WFMT and feature performances such as Professor Longhair, Sippie Wallace, Bill Monroe, Odetta and the Beers Family. A finding guide exists in the form of an MS Excel database. [Processed]
Uptown, see Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection.
Victory Gardens Theater Collection. Dates: 1974-present. Size: 21 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Processed]
ViewPoint, Inc. Archives (Felix A. Burrows, Jr.). Dates: 1975-1992. Size: 50 linear feet. Accession #1994/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. ViewPoint, Inc. was a black-owned market and media research firm founded by Felix Burrows. Based in Chicago, ViewPoint was at one time the largest black-owned market research firm in the nation. The corporate archives consist of chronologically arranged client/case files for each contract performed by the firm, as well as subject research files. Burrows closed ViewPoint, Inc. in 1992. [Finding aid]
Vivian G. Research Harsh Collection Archives, see Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection Archives.
Volland, P.F. Collection. Dates: 1917-1958. Size: 78 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Authors and Publishing Collection. Collection consists of the financial records and greeting cards of this Chicago publisher of cards and children’s books. Materials include business ledgers, receipts and the salesmen’s props (sample sets) for the greeting cards. The printed finding aid to the collection, available in the Special Collections Reading Room, includes an index of artists and writers who worked for Volland. The best known of these individuals include Johnny Gruelle, creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy, and illustrators Maginel Wright Enright and Frederick Richardson. [Processed]
Walker, Thomas Calhoun Papers. Dates: 1953. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1958/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Thomas Calhoun Walker was born at the end of slavery in Gloucester, Va., and educated at Hampton Institute. He later became a lawyer and community activist. His papers consist of his typescript of his autobiography, The Honey-Pod Tree. [Processed]
Wallace, Joan Papers. Dates: 1975-2000. Size: 28 linear feet. Accession #2005/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Joan Wallace, daughter of painter William Edouard Scott and widow of anti-poverty federal official Maurice Dawkins, was an assistant secretary of agriculture during the Carter administration. Her papers contain correspondence, speeches, scrapbooks, photographs and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Walton, Charles Papers. Dates: 1928-2005. Size: 28 linear feet. Accession #1996/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Born in Alabama, Charles Walton came to Chicago as a child. He became a jazz drummer immediately after World War II. He went on to direct the music education program at Malcolm X College and served as an officer in American Federation of Musicians Local 10-208. In his “retirement,” he worked relentlessly to document Chicago’s black music history, conducting at least 343 interviews with 179 interviewees. The interviews were part of his research for his unfinished book, Bronzeville Conversations. His papers include drafts of his book, the oral history interviews, essays, rare documents and photographs. Subjects include performers, venues, business relationships and the history of American Federation of Musicians locals in Chicago. [Finding aid]
Ward, Val Gray Papers. Dates: 1967-1996. Size: 40 linear feet. Accession #2002/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Val Gray Ward is a celebrated actress, director, producer and founder of Chicago-based Kuumba Professional Theatre Company. Her plays have won numerous awards. Her papers include correspondence, programs, playbills, photographs, artwork and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Wash, Leonard Papers. Dates: 1958-2011. Size: 67 linear feet. Accession #2000/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Leonard Wash, a writer and an educator at the City Colleges of Chicago, was active in the Black Arts, Black Consciousness and Black Power movements beginning in the mid-1960s. He attended every annual Black Studies Conference at Olive-Harvey College, recording much of the proceedings. His papers document a wide range of movement activity, jazz and literature. They include correspondence, manuscripts, flyers, programs, pamphlets, playbills, serial publications, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Illinois State Representative Records. Dates: 1965-1976; bulk dates: 1970-1976. Size: 3.25 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Illinois State Senate Records. Dates: 1976-1980. Size: 9.25 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. U.S. Congressional Records. Dates: 1981-1983. Size: 56.25 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Campaign Records. Dates: 1980-1983; bulk dates: 1980-1982. Size: 28.5 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Asian American Advisory Committee Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Chief of Staff Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 54 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Central Files Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 54 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Community Services Sub-Cabinet Records. Dates: 1983-1988. Size: 62 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. City Council Proceedings Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 15 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Development Sub-Cabinet Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 24 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Finance and Administration Sub-Cabinet Records. Dates: 1979-1989; bulk dates: 1983-1987. Size: 27 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Infrastructure Sub-Cabinet Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 18 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Intergovernmental Affairs Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 15 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Office Manager/Supervisor of Clerical Staff Records. Dates: 1981-1987. Size: 13 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Press Office Records. Dates: 1979-1987. Size: 73 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Public Safety/Regulatory Sub-Cabinet Records. Dates: 1983-1987. Size: 12 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Real Estate Committee Records. Dates: 1981-1984. Size: 6 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Schedules and Evaluations Records. Dates: 1982-1988; bulk dates: 1983-1987. Size: 9 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Processed]
Washington, Harold Archives & Collections. Mayoral Records. Videotapes. Dates: 1969-1987; bulk dates: 1986-1987. Size: 342 videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. [Partially processed]
Washington, Harold Commemorative Year Archives. Dates: 2007-2008. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. The Harold Washington Commemorative Year sought to promote remembrance, encourage discussion and champion the legacy of Harold Washington. The Harold Washington Commemorative Year sponsored a six-month calendar of free public programming. [Unprocessed]
Washington, Harold Foundation Collection. Dates: ca. 1963-1987. Size: 87 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives & Collections. [Partially processed]
Washington Heights Community Organization Archives. Dates: 1968-1980. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2003/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Washington Heights Community Organization, formed in 1967 for the upkeep and economic development and growth of the area, was initially composed of formal block clubs in the Washington Heights and Mount Vernon communities. The organization also campaigned to name a neighborhood elementary school after Marcus Garvey. The archive includes correspondence, board minutes, agendas, newspaper clippings and organizational files. [Processed]
Wermich-North Center News Collection. Dates: 1913-1978. Size: 1 linear foot; 84 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection. The Wermich family published the North Center News, a neighborhood newspaper. Items in the collection include issues of the newspaper (1966-1967, with some earlier issues); minutes, correspondence and newspaper clippings about the North Center Commercial Association; and miscellaneous files about other neighborhood organizations. [Processed]
Wertz, Irma Cayton Papers. Dates: 1930-1985. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2004/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Irma Cayton Wertz, a graduate of Fisk University, married Chicago sociologist Horace Cayton and moved to Chicago in the late 1930s. During World War II, she served as an early African American WAC officer. Her papers include correspondence, news clippings, official documents and photographs on her experience in the military during World War II. Also included are some materials on her work at Chicago’s Parkway Community House. [Partially processed]
Wesleyan Bible Class Collection. Dates: 1905-1952. Size: 1.5 linear feet; 39 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. Collection primarily consists of promotional materials for the class. See also the Frank L. Wood Scrapbooks. [Finding aid]
West End Woman’s Club Records. Dates: 1894-1929. Size: .5 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. [Finding aid]
West Englewood, see Englewood Community Collection.
West Garfield Park Community Collection. Dates: 1849-1964. Size: 4 linear feet; 335 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. [Finding aid]
West Pullman, see Calumet Region Community Collection.
West [Near West] Side Community Collection. Dates: 1857-1953. Size: 10.75 linear feet; 440 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. Collection documents Near West Side, an area from 16th Street (1600 S) north to Kinzie Street (400 N) and from the Chicago River west to Maplewood Avenue (2524 W). [Finding aid]
West Side Historical Society Papers. Dates: 1930-1955. Size: 4.75 linear feet; 21 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. [Finding aid]
West Side Newspaper Collection. Dates: 1880-1966. Size: 7 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. Collection includes single issues and bound titles. [Finding aid]
West Town Community Collection. Dates: 1860-1946. Size: .5 linear foot; 71 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Westbrook, Shelby Papers. Dates: 1943-2002. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #2008/05. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. A Tuskegee airman during World War II and a historian of African Americans in the military services, Shelby Westbrook’s papers consist of press releases, photographs and audiovisual materials. [Processed]
Whack, Rita Coburn Papers. Dates: 1994-2002. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2002/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Rita Coburn Whack, a novelist, television and radio producer, and on-air radio contributor, won an Emmy for writing in her documentary film, Curators of Culture: Chicago’s South Side Community Art Center, in 2005. Her papers include 41 oral history interviews and other audiovisual materials from her public radio work and from documentaries she created for public television. [Partially processed]
Wheeler, Rose Papers. Dates: 1938-1995. Size: 15 linear feet. Accession #1995/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Rose Wheeler was a highly respected social worker, race relations activist and lifelong organizer for world peace. Her papers include manuscripts, correspondence, extensive subject research files, professional and organization materials, and newspaper clippings. [Processed]
White, Sarah Papers. Dates: 1985-2004. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #2005/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Sarah White, born in poverty in the Mississippi Delta town of Inverness, became a leading organizer of unions for black women working in the catfish processing plants of the region. She was a key figure in the 1990 strike at Delta Pride Catfish, the largest strike in the history of Mississippi. The catfish workers’ struggle became a celebrated cause in Chicago, as civil rights groups, unions and churches sent assistance. White’s papers include extensive oral history interviews, manuscripts, speeches, clipping files, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Williams, Kale Papers. Dates: 1965-1975. Size: 3 linear feet. Accession #2007/14. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Kale Williams was active in the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities beginning in the early 1970s. His papers include mounted photographs taken by John Tweedle during Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1966 Chicago campaign, along with texts by King and related news clippings. Also included is a photograph of Chicago public housing resident Dorothy Gautreaux, whose lawsuit led to some relocation of Chicago Housing Authority residents to suburbs. [Unprocessed]
Williams, Melva Papers. Dates: 1940-1990. Size: 45 linear feet. Accession #1995/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Melva Williams toured with the Sallie Martin Singers, led church choirs in Chicago, and served as a high school principal and as a music educator. Her papers include a large sheet music collection of classical and sacred music, clippings, serials and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Wilson, Edith Papers. Dates: 1935-1970. Size: 4 linear feet. Accession #1996/02. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Edith Wilson was the last person to perform the official portrayal of “Aunt Jemima” for the Quaker Oats Company. Her papers include programs, clipping files, photographs and memorabilia. [Finding aid]
Wilson, Muriel Papers. Dates: 1975-2000. Size: 8 linear feet. Accession #2002/04. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Muriel Wilson is a founding member of the African American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago, an activist in the Episcopal Church and a prominent genealogical scholar. Her papers include research materials in African American history and genealogy, subject files, genealogical serials, workshop guides and event programs, photographs and memorabilia. [Partially processed]
Winslow, Eugene Papers. Dates: 1940-1990. Size: 24 linear feet. Accession #1993/07. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Architect, artist and black history author Eugene Winslow made his mark in a wide variety of fields. He was a Tuskegee airman during World War II, an architect influenced by the Bauhaus movement and a black history researcher in the 1970s. He wrote most of the articles and created all the illustrations for Great Negroes Past and Present. His papers include extensive subject research files created for his work on the book, rare serials, biographical information, photographs and memorabilia. [Processed]
Wisdom Bridge Theatre Collection. Dates: 1974-present. Size: 77.5 linear feet; photographs and videotapes. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Chicago Theater Collection. [Partially processed]
Wood, Frank L. Scrapbook Collection. Dates: 1885-1941. Size: 10 scrapbooks. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. See also the Wesleyan Bible Class Collection. [Finding aid]
Wood, Jearl Defense Committee Papers. Dates: 1965-1987. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1987/03. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Jearl Wood, an autoworker, Vietnam veteran, UAW member and artist, was accused of attempted murder, aggravated battery and armed violence. This collection contains the files of the defense fund for Wood, including correspondence, litigation documents, logbook, leaflets and political buttons. [Partially processed]
Woodlawn Block Club Council Papers. Dates: 1958-1959. Size: 1 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Woodlawn Community Collection. Dates: 1857-1970. Size: 4.5 linear feet; 247 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Woodlawn Historical Society, see Historical Society of Woodlawn.
Woodlawn Woman’s Club Papers. Dates: 1917-1954. Size: 1 linear foot; 2 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Woodlawn Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Woods, Alfred Papers. Dates: 1966-2004. Size: 12 linear feet. Accession #2006/06. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Poet, librarian and cultural projects activist Alfred Woods is best known as the author of Mannish. His papers include poetry and other manuscripts, correspondence, programs, grant materials, official reports, clipping files and memorabilia. [Unprocessed]
Woodson, Carter G. Regional Library Archives, see Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library Archives.
Woodson, Susan Cayton Papers. Dates: 1910-2004. Size: 24 linear feet. Accession #1999/09. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Art gallery owner Susan Cayton Woodson has been hailed for her work publicizing and preserving the art of the Chicago Renaissance period. Active with the South Side Community Art Center, she is a member of the famed Cayton family and a descendent of Senator Hiram Revels. Her papers include family documents, correspondence, subject research files and photographs. Papers from her late husband, food chemist Harold Woodson, are also included. [Partially processed]
Works Progress Administration Collection. Dates: ca. 1938-1943. Size: 166 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. Collection consists of 166 photographs of individual artworks produced for the Illinois Art Project. [Processed]
World’s Columbian Exposition Ephemera Collection. Dates: 1893. Size: 2 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, World’s Columbian Exposition Collection. Collection consists of approximately 199 ephemeral items such as trade cards and other printed promotional items. [Processed]
WPA, see Works Progress Administration Collection.
Wright, John S. Collection. Dates: 1848-1866. Size: .25 linear foot. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection. [Finding aid]
Wright, Richard Papers. Dates: 1935-1936. Size: 1 linear foot. Accession #1942/01. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Richard Wright, author of Native Son and Black Boy, worked on the Federal Writers Project in Chicago. These papers contain manuscripts written while Wright worked on what became the “Negro in Illinois” study. They include typescript drafts of Ethnographical Aspects of Chicago’s Black Belt, Big Boy Leaves Home and Bibliography on Negro in Chicago. [Processed]
Wyatt, Rev. Addie and Rev. Claude Papers. Dates: 1947-2005. Size: 309 linear feet. Accession #2007/04 Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The Rev. Addie Wyatt and her husband, the Rev. Claude Wyatt, were co-pastors at Vernon Park Church of God for more than four decades. Addie Wyatt was a meatpacking worker and union activist in the 1940s. Her determination to fight for social justice led her to union leadership roles, culminating in her election as vice president of the Amalgamated Meatcutters Union (later merged into the United Food and Commercial Workers Union). She was a founder of the Coalition of Labor Union Women and the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. This collection includes correspondence, manuscripts, programs, proceedings, serials, clipping files, audiovisual materials and photographs from her work in labor, black and women’s organizations. Also included is extensive documentation on the history of Vernon Park Church of God, including sermon texts by Claude Wyatt. [Finding aid]
Young, Marion C. Hull House Collection. Dates: 1929-1967. Size: .5 linear foot; 7 photographs. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the West Side Community Collections. [Finding aid]
Zeta Phi Beta, Roanoke, Va., Chapter Papers. Dates: 1950. Size: 2 linear feet. Accession #1994/10. Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. The papers include a scrapbook dated 1949-1950 of the sorority founded at Howard University in 1920. [Processed]
Zimmerman, Mary Scrapbook. Dates: 1895-1935. Size: 1 scrapbook. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, Neighborhood History Research Collection, part of the Garfield Park Community Collections. Scrapbook documenting Mary Zimmerman’s tenure at Marshall High School. [Finding aid]