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Folder

Correspondence, 1896-1966

The Correspondence series is divided into three subseries. The first subseries, dated 1896-1966, also the first to be processed, is heavily weighted toward the period when Cramton was a member of Congress and in the period when he served in the Interior Department, roughly from the mid-1920s to 1933. There is a partial index to correspondents appended to this finding aid for the materials in this first portion of the collection. Cramton corresponded with a wide range of important public figures and notable organizations, such as the American Indian Defense Association, the Anti-Saloon League of America, Hiram Johnson, Mordecai Johnson, Michigan governors Kim Sigler and G. Mennen Williams, U.S. Senator Arthur Vandenberg, and conservationist Gifford Pinchot. This first subseries, though largely correspondence, also includes a scattering of other materials such as memoranda and speeches. The second subseries, though it covers much the same period as the first, 1920-1966, was received following Cramton's death, and includes more personal materials, such as letters of appreciation and letters that Cramton chose not to donate when he was alive. The last subseries consists of letters that Cramton exchanged with members of his family, mainly with his son Louis Kay Cramton, with whom he had a close relationship.

Collection

Louis C. Cramton Papers, circa 1865-1966 (majority within 1916-1965)

8 linear feet — 2 oversize volumes — 1 oversize folder

State Representative from Lapeer, Michigan; U.S. Congressman, 1913-1931, and special attorney to the Secretary of the Interior, 1931-1932; correspondence, speeches, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, campaign materials, and other items relating to his advocacy of the national park system, the concept of historic preservation, fair employment practices legislation, increased support for Howard University and all other aspects of his career.

The Louis C. Cramton papers came to the Bentley Historical Library in three separate accessions (1948-1950; 1971; 1987). The collection has been arranged into six series: Correspondence, Miscellaneous Papers, Topical Files, Newspaper clippings/Scrapbooks, Photographs, and Louis Kay Cramton Papers.

Folder

Miscellaneous Papers, 1893-1966

Miscellaneous is the arbitrary designation given to groupings of files that Cramton and his son donated to the library. The largest is a chronological run of papers - memoranda, reports, etc. - received by Cramton during the period when he served in the Congress, with the Interior Department, and with the Michigan legislature. This subseries dates from 1893 to 1966. Smaller subseries include bills introduced by Cramton while serving with the state and federal governments, remarks of his from the Congressional Record, campaign materials, genealogical materials, and a collection of the articles, speeches, and other writings made by Cramton during the course of his career.