Barbara Kuck Alternative Press Collection
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
- Kuck, Barbara (Person)
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.
- Black Panther Movement
- Chicago Area High School Independent Press Service (CHIPS)
- Cooperative High School Press Service
- Counterculture Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Dress codes -- Illinois -- Chicago Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- High school students’ writings Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Race discrimination Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Race relations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Senn High School (Chicago, Ill.)
- Student newspaper and periodical editors -- Illinois -- Chicago Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Student newspapers and periodicals Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Underground newspapers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Underground press publications Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements--United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Youth protest movements Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- 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
Harold Washington Library Center, 9th Floor
Chicago Public Library
400 S. State Street
Chicago IL 60605 United States
(312) 747-4875
specoll@chipublib.org