Abstract

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.

Abstract

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. This collection includes materials related to Jesse Albritton’s work as a journalist, publisher, and public figure. It spans the years 1938-2005; the bulk of the collection consists of a scrapbook, political sketches, newspaper clippings, speeches, correspondence, and records relating to Albritton’s death.

Abstract

Collection documents the work of Claudia Allen, a Chicago playwright. Includes scrips and production information.

Abstract Material in this collection predominantly relates to the American Civil War—its battles, rank and file soldiers, leaders and veterans. A large portion of this material focuses on the experience of soldiers and leaders from Illinois through letters and diaries. Other major topics in this collection include slavery throughout the world in the centuries leading up to the Civil War; Abraham Lincoln; and the veterans’ group, the Grand Army of the Republic, especially its Illinois Departments....

Abstract

These newspapers come from around the United States, with one item from Cuba. The vast majority of the collection is comprised of issues of the Chicago Tribune, but papers from other cities also appear. The time period covered extends before and after the Civil War. Events of note covered in the papers include the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Abstract

Music played an essential role during the American Civil War, both for the soldiers actively fighting and people on the home front. The majority of the sheet music in this collection was published during the American Civil War, by Chicago music publishing companies Root & Cady and H.M. Higgins, featuring composers and lyricists like Henry C. Work and George F. Root.

Abstract Images in this collection predominantly relate to the American Civil War—its battles, rank and file soldiers, leaders, veterans, politics and symbolism. A large portion of this material focuses on soldiers and leaders from Illinois, with a wider focus on soldiers from the American Midwest. Many formats are represented, from early photographic formats like tintypes to postcards to oil paintings. Selected items from this collection are available in the Library's Wayne Whalen Digital Archive of...

Abstract

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.

Abstract

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 book chapters.

Abstract

Amundsen High School was constructed in 1930 on Damen Avenue at Foster Avenue in Winnemac Park on the North Side of Chicago. Originally a junior high school, it was converted to a four-year high school in 1933 and has continued to serve as a high school since that time. The collection contains yearbooks, clippings, programs, the school newspaper, and photographs.

Abstract

This scrapbook collection documents social organizations and prominent neighborhood residents from Chicago’s Austin community.

Abstract

Maceo Anderson was one of the original members of the legendary Four Step Brothers, an early African American tap dancing act. The papers consist of a scrapbook documenting their career.

Abstract

The collection consists of reel-to-reel audiotapes on African American history and literature created by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Abstract

The collection is comprised of official returns, morning reports and various other personnel listings and reports for departments in the Army of the Potomac, which was the Union’s primary army fighting in the eastern theater during the American Civil War, 1861-1865.

Abstract

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.

Abstract

The Asian American Small Business Association (AASBA) was established by Charlie Soo in 1979 to encourage economic development on Argyle Street from Sheridan Road to Broadway, and on Broadway near Argyle Street. The bulk of the collection consists of news releases and flyers promoting events. It also includes newspaper articles on Argyle Street, letters from Soo, reports, newsletters, and ephemera.

Abstract

Steve Askin was Harold Washington’s Communications Director during his unsuccessful run for mayor in 1977. In addition to information about Washington’s positions on key issues, there is significant documentation of the immediate aftermath of the loss, including a report, written by Askin, assessing the situation and how to move forward. Of particular note are the files marked “Police Surveillance/Red Squad” which Harold Washington requested and obtained.

Abstract

The Associated Clubs of Woodlawn Records documents the organization’s work to promote business, civic, educational and social welfare in the Woodlawn community. The collection contains committee files, correspondence, meeting minutes, membership rosters, reports.

Abstract

The collection contains manuscript, print and photographic documentation on demographic, economic, cultural, social, political, and religious development of the Austin neighborhood. The collection contains biographical information on Austin residents, as well as information on businesses, religious institutions clubs and organizations, hospitals, municipal agencies, parks, residences, schools, streets, transportation, and wartime activities.

Abstract

The Austin Daughters of the American Revolution (ADAR) - David Kennison Chapter was founded on December 12, 1921. The chapter’s namesake, David Kennison, claimed to be a Revolutionary War veteran. He died in 1852 and was buried in Lincoln Park, which was then a cemetery. Six scrapbooks compiled by ADAR members contain news clippings, photographs and yearbooks describing ADAR functions and members.

Abstract

This collection documents Austin High School from its earliest days in the 1870s through the federally mandated desegregation attempts of the 1960s and 1970s. The documentation includes histories, news clippings, photographs, programs, student publications and yearbooks.

Abstract

The collection contains community newspapers includes The Austin Herald, The Austin News, The Austinite, The Austin Voice, The Austin Weekly News, and The Windy City Word. The issues primarily span 1970-1997.

Abstract

The collection includes news clippings, yearbooks and scrapbooks that document the objectives of the Austin Woman’s Club, defined as “intellectual and social culture, general philanthropic work, a united effort toward self-improvement and the elevation of humanity.”

Abstract

Sarajane Avidon was a Chicago actress performing at Widsom Bridge and Orphans Theatre among others. She was also a founding member of Chicago Shakespeare Theater where she appeared in Henry V and Twelfth Night. The Sarajane Avidon Papers include scripts, programs, photographs and notes pertaining to Avidon's career in Chicago theater.

Abstract

The collection contains 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 the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC) scrapbooks.

Abstract The Back of the Yards Newspaper Collection contains issues and clippings of Back of the Yards Journal, the paper that worked closely with the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC), along with Journal News, City NewsHound and a selection of corresponding photographs. Collectively, these newspapers served Chicago’s New City, Brighton Park, Archer Heights, McKinley Park, Bridgeport, Gage...

Abstract

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.

Abstract

Bailiwick Repertory was founded in 1982 to be a contemporary theater with a classical core that fostered directors and strove to provide affordable, accessible and responsive entertainment that reflected Chicago’s diverse communities. The records document Bailiwick’s productions, operations and artistic mission and include its Deaf Bailiwick Artists productions, Directors’ Festival and Pride Performance Series.

Abstract

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.

Abstract

Esther A. Barlow was a children’s librarian at Chicago Public Library from 1927 until her retirement in 1976, including over twenty years as Head of Children’s Services at Hild Regional Library. The collection contains personal and professional papers, books and publications, and photographs.