This collection, from 1956 to 2008 with undated materials, includes materials collected by Bush in her activities with Republican political events. It includes coverage of local, state, and national Republican activities. Included in the collection are photographs, newspaper clippings, correspondence, including personal thank you notes for her participation and donations to the Republican Party and candidates, tickets, and significantly, political pins, most of which are 1968 Kleenex Company reproductions of pre-1960s pins. Non-reproduction pins cover 1960s forward. There is also one sleeve in one folder of Democratic Party pins including notable presidents. Two miscellaneous items include a pendant of President Nixon’s face on a rusty chain, and a President G. W. Bush key chain. There is also an oversized award for Bush from Governor William G. Milliken appointing her as a member of the Bay County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 1975. There is one folder about Swallow, which includes Letter, Photograph, and Newspaper Clippings (copies), 1969, undated. The first folder in Box 1 includes material crated by or about Arlene Bush, including Awards, Poem, Newsletter, Letter, and [her] Resume, 1964, 1976, undated. The collection is organized The collection is organized by size, then alphabetically.. Overall, except for the rusty chain, the collection is in good condition.
Processing Note: During processing, approximately 1 cubic foot of materials was removed from the collection and returned to the donor as per her request. Returned materials include: newspaper clippings (which were copied), duplicates, national publications, nationally produced and distributed photographs, bumper stickers, and pins. Two Michigan Republican tee shirts were also transferred to the CMU Museum of Cultural and Natural History.
Biography:
Arlene Bush, formerly Arlene Curly, is a Bay County, Michigan, Republican, active as a high level donor and supporter of Republican candidates. She held many positions in the Republican Party on the state and local level from 1956 to 1976. Some highlights of her career include serving on the Ottawa County Executive Committee for six years, co-chairing the “Romney for Governor movement, serving as president of the Ionia County Women’s Convention, and becoming delegate for the National Federation Republican Women’s Convention. Her participation in Republican politics also included a brief interlude as Joseph Swallow’s campaign manager in his bid for Michigan House of Representatives. She personally sought a position on the Bay County Board of Auditors. Her actions and participation in the Republican Party resulted in her receiving several awards, including the title of Honorary Sergeant-in-arms in 1968 and Republican of the Year in 2000. She and her husband, Charles C. Bush, had four children – Danny, Lynn, Laurie, and Chip. (This information is from the collection.)