Search

Papers of Edward H. McNamara (1926-2006), Democratic southeastern Michigan politician, served as Wayne county executive (1987-2002), Mayor of Livonia (1970-1986), and Livonia city councilman (1962-1968). The collection includes newspaper clippings, biographical materials, miscellaneous from his political career, and visual materials.

The Edward H. McNamara papers largely concern his public political career. These papers do not include the records of his various office and administrations. Instead, they largely present a favorable picture of the political life of McNamara, and highlight his achievements.

Records of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Northwest Wayne County in Michigan and its predecessor organizations, the LWV of Livonia and the LWV of Northville-Plymouth-Canton-Novi. Collection includes organizational records, newsletters, correspondence, and other records documenting the activities of the three groups.

The records of the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Northwest County include organizational documents and publications, correspondence, membership rosters, local studies, and extensive meeting minutes drawn from all predecessor organizations but primarily from the LWV of Livonia. Although the documents encompass the years from 1957 to 2013, most are from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Researchers will find records of LWV operations, such as fundraising and board elections, as well as a wealth of information relating to urban challenges, social issues, and environmental concerns of the greater Detroit area in the late 20th century. A glimpse into broader state issues, such as Michigan's penitential system, also emerges in the documents. Extensive collections of LWV newsletters from the Livonia and Northville-Plymouth-Canton-Novi branches, as well as the subsequent merged organization, will also be of interest to those researching the political participation of women during and after the women's liberation movement.

Wayne County sheriff, 1969-1982, Wayne County Executive, 1983-1986, and Republican candidate for governor of Michigan, 1986. Correspondence, subject files, clippings, videotapes, and photographs primarily concerning his work as sheriff and county executive, and his gubernatorial campaign.

The William Lucas Papers consist of manuscript and audiovisual materials which primarily document economic and social affairs in Wayne County, when Lucas served as county executive, and Lucas's campaign for governor in 1986. There are few materials on Lucas's career prior to his service as Wayne County executive. His gubernatorial campaign is documented in a somewhat piecemeal fashion, and study of it would be enhanced by the use of oral interviews. Media coverage of the campaign, however, has been preserved quite thoroughly. The Lucas Papers (34 linear feet) are comprised of six series: Personal, Wayne County Offices, Political, Clippings, Videotapes, and Photographs.