Arnold Bransdorfer Papers and Audiotapes, 1930, 1971, and undated

Summary

Creator:

Bransdorfer, Arnold.

Abstract:

Papers include mostly photographs, negatives and audiotapes of 19th century people, architecture, farms, churches, probably in rural Michigan, and 1960s Michigan politicians, political events and gatherings.

Extent:

approximately 2 cubic feet (in 2 boxes, 1 Oversized folder)

Language:

English

Authors:

Collection processed and finding aid created by H. Ogonowski, A. Abruquah, Marian Matyn

Background

Scope and Content:

Most of the collection is photographs and negatives. The 19th century photographs have been reshot by a modern camera. Subject headings of photographs were ones used by Arnold Bransdorfer. Some photographs are quite faded. Almost all of the photographs are black and white.

Among these are images of what is presumably rural Michigan and many photographs of Michigan Republicans and Republican political gatherings in the 1960s. There is one photograph of Robert Kennedy at a political gathering.

Related Michigan Republican political publications, news releases, and a statement are among the paper materials. The correspondence discusses some of the photography work Arnold Bransdorfer did as Michigan Senate Photographer. Michigan Republicans documented here include William Milliken, G. Mennen Williams, George Romney, and Guy Vander Jagt, among others.

The audiotapes, mostly 1965-1968, and undated, relate largely to Michigan political press conferences, speeches, and advertisements, although Richard Nixon is documented at an unspecified time, as well as a speech by Walter Reuther in 1967. Different genres of music are also recorded on the audiotapes.

Biographical / Historical:

Biography:

Arnold Bransdorfer (1922-2011) was a photographer who lived in Saint Louis, Michigan. His shop, called Bransdorfer Photography, was located in Lansing and, later, in Saint Louis. He was active in the Michigan Republican State Central Committee and served as the Michigan Senate Photographer in the 1960s. Arnold Bransdorfer served as a legislative aid to Lieutenant Governor William Milliken in 1968. His brother, Alfred R. Bransdorfer (1926-), was the publisher of the Clare Sentinel in Clare Michigan.

Acquisition Information:

Acc# 3097

Arrangement:

Arrangement is by format, then alphabetical and chronological.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Speeches, addresses, etc., American.
Photography--Michigan.

Names:

Bransdorfer, Arnold.
Romney, George W., 1907-1995.
Vander Jagt, Guy, 1931-
Milliken, William G., 1922-
Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968.
Williams, G. Mennen, 1911-
Reuther, Walter, 1907-1970.
Nixon, Richard M., 1913-1994, (Richard Millhouse).

Places:

Michigan--Politics and government.
Grand Rapids (Mich.)--Politics and government.