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Papers of Emerson F. Powrie, Ann Arbor, MI public schools teacher (1945-1948), principal (1948-1971), and Central Administration employee (1972-1977); and his wife Gwendolyn Sutton Powrie, teacher for the hearing-impaired children.

The Powrie family papers have been divided into three series: Emerson F. Powrie papers; Gwendolyn Sutton Powrie papers; and Visual Materials.

The Emerson F. Powrie's papers represent the bulk of the collection. The collection follows Powrie's career as an educator and Ann Arbor Public Schools Principal, and reflects on challenges and developments that took place in Ann Arbor Public Schools system in 1950s-early 1970s. Materials shed light on process of racial desegregation in schools among students as well as faculty; important demographic, social and economic changes in the area, and their effect on the student body, (i.e., school enrollment, racial and socio-economic composition of classes, etc.). Topics of teachers' education and training, and religion in public schools are prominent in correspondence.

The Gwendolyn Sutton Powrie's papers include her writings and research materials on the subject of teaching the hearing-impaired children.

Demonstration school operated by the University of Michigan School of Education, 1924-1969. Records include annual reports, staff bulletins, publicity, photographs, faculty minutes, building plans, and curriculum material; also records pertaining to the closing of the schools, and a historical file on the founding of the schools including correspondence of Allen S. Whitney.

The records of the University Schools operated by the University of Michigan School of Education document the activities of the schools (elementary and high school), students, parents, alumni as well as the physical facilities of the schools. The records date from 1920 to 1975 although the bulk of the records cover the period from 1930 to 1966. The last vestiges of the schools closed after the 1969/70 academic year, but records relating to the renovation and remodeling of the school buildings are present through 1975.

The records were received in three accessions resulting in the creation of several series. Thus researchers will find some overlap within the various series, particularly the topical files and administrative files. The records are divided into eight series: Topical Files; University Elementary School Files; University High School Files; Administrative Files; Classroom Activities; Photographs; Historical Files; and Renovations and Architectural Drawings.