Skip to main content

Barbara Kuck Alternative Press Collection

 Collection
Identifier: spe-a00160

Scope and Contents

The archive of Chicago’s Nicholas Senn High School student Barbara Kuck contains 78 alternative publications from 1968 and 1970, including 22 issues, drafts and notes related to The Paper which she edited and published. The publications are a combination of mimeographed sheets and printed papers that were distributed locally and exchanged with other high school or student organizations across the Chicago area and the United States through the Chicago Area High School Independent Press Service (CHIPS) and Cooperative High School Press Service. The topics covered include conditions and educational practices at specific local high schools as well as national topics such as the Chicago 8 conspiracy trial, the draft, the environment, police violence, political activism, racism and the Vietnam War.

When possible, the high school, organization or publication location are noted to help facilitate the scope of the connections made through the student exchange networks. Notations in square brackets [ ] indicate that the archivist is fairly certain that the information is correct while notations in parentheses add known information.

Dates

  • 1963 - 1971

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.

Biographical / Historical

Barbara Kuck, while a student at Chicago’s Nicholas Senn High School, founded an alternative publication called, The Paper, in 1968. The publication’s objective was to report on student activities and other local or national events that were not covered by the official high school newspaper. Because The Paper was often critical of the school administration, its educational practices and the school’s police detail, Senn High School administrators attempted to curtail its distribution by taking away student lockers and applying other punitive measures. Other topics covered in The Paper include the Chicago 8 conspiracy trial, draft registration, environmental conditions, musical performances, police violence, political activism, racism and the Vietnam War.

The Paper was a member of Chicago Area High School Independent Press Service (CHIPS) and Cooperative High School Press Service. The purpose of these organizations was to exchange publications and to connect student editors and writers across the city and United States. As part of this exchange, Kuck gathered representative issues from other Chicago-area and national student groups. Often articles from one paper would be reprinted by another. This collection of materials was acquired though an antiquarian book and manuscript vendor and does not include any additional information about Barbara Kuck.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (in 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The archive of Chicago’s Nicholas Senn High School student Barbara Kuck contains 78 alternative publications from 1968 and 1971, including 22 issues, drafts and notes related to The Paper which she edited and published.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by publication title or topic.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Between the Covers Rare Books in 2016.

Related Materials

Chicago African American and Latino Newspapers Microfilm Collection

Democratic National Convention Records

Deppe, Rev. Martin Papers

Lake View High School Collection

Newspapers and Serials Collection

Sisi Donald Mosby Papers

South Shore Newspapers Collection

Source

Creator

Title
Guide to the Barbara Kuck Alternative Press Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Michelle McCoy
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Unit at Harold Washington Library Center Repository

Contact:
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875