Collections

This collection is comprised of various administrative materials created or gathered by the Mattachine Society's Regional Council in Detroit. These materials were created and/or gathered between 1957 and 1995, with the bulk of the material coming from 1959-1960.

The collection contains primarily administrative material surrounding the daily business of the Detroit Area Council of the Mattachine Society. The Administrative Series is the largest series in the collection and includes budget information, meeting minutes, membership information, workshop materials, and a copy of the Daughters of Bilitis Policy. The series also includes a file of holograph notes, most of them undated and un-signed, though it is likely that they are in Hal Lawson's hand. The Administrative series also includes a Correspondence sub-series, with a folder of Lawson's incoming and outgoing correspondence that is both personal and professional in nature. There is also a folder of official correspondence from the Detroit Area Council. The Printed Material Series includes a few articles, primarily on homosexuality, and copies of newsletters from numerous councils of the Mattachine Society, across the Country. The series also includes a folder of flyers, magazine subscription forms and advertisements on various programs and topics of pertinence to society members. The Typescripts Series includes a small number of press releases, and several articles. The article from Between the Lines, written in June, 1995, is an interesting historical look at the Society and its actions during the 1950s.

The Mary Hays Weik Papers include correspondence with anti-nuclear activists world wide, public officials, concerned citizens, and Weik's family; newsletters and articles on nuclear power, civil rights, neighborhood improvement in Cincinnati in the 1950s, and right-wing and anti-communist organizations; other writings by Weik; legal documents on nuclear power plants in New York; research notes; newspaper clippings; and subject files. Also includes the correspondence, 1950-1954, of Caroline Urie, who, like Weik, was a leader of the American branch of the International Registry of World Citizens.

The papers document Weik's involvement in the world government movement after World War II and the antinuclear movement of the 1960's and 1970's. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1950's to the 1970's; there is little material or information on Weik's life and work prior to 1950. The correspondence file is rich in its documentation of a small but dedicated group of individuals who made up an informal network of international antinuclear activists.

The Martin Sostre Collection (1923-2013; bulk 1967-1976) consists of correspondence, flyers, drawings, newspaper clippings, court records, pamphlets, newsletters, photographs, and handwritten notes pertaining to activist Martin Sostre. The collection contains original material created by Sostre, as well as material collected by others while he was incarcerated.

The Martin Sostre Collection (1923-2013; bulk 1967-1976) consists of correspondence, flyers, newsletters, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, articles, photographs, court documents, legal notes, and original drawings. Series 1, the Martin Sostre Papers, contains materials created by Sostre; these include drawings, legal documents with handwritten notes, published letters and articles, photographs, familial certificates, and newsletters Sostre wrote or edited, and documents on behavioral modification in prisons. Series 2, Correspondence, contains newsletters, informational mailings, petitions, and correspondence from various chapters of the Martin Sostre Defense Committee. Series 3, Flyers, contains demonstration and promotional flyers. Series 4, Court Records, contains affidavits, depositions, and court proceedings related to Martin Sostre. Series 5, Articles, contains newspaper clippings and photocopies, and other written material such as case studies, a thesis, and magazine articles.

Documents and correspondence detailing Martha Vicinus' involvement in the New University Conference (NUC).

The Martha J. Vicinus papers date from 1968 to 1976 (primarily 1969 to 1972) and measure 1.25 linear feet (4 Hollinger boxes). The papers detail only Vicinus' involvement in the New University Conference, its programs, publications and meetings. Arranged alphabetically into one series, the collection includes incoming and outgoing correspondence, position papers, reports, minutes of the organization, pamphlets and related newspaper clippings.

Some of the file folders concern the organizational workings of NUC. These include National Office, National Committee, and Executive Committee. Others consist of reports and papers on subjects of interest to NUC, notably Child Care, the Peoples' Peace Treaty (Vietnam), and the reform of course grading. Of note are the folders for the Modern Language Association relating to the efforts of Vicinus and other NUC members to organize radical caucuses and thereby affect the decision-making process in this and other professional organizations.

Mrachnyi, a Russian immigrant anarchist, who at various times went by the surnames Clevans, Klavansky, and Mratchny, was editor of Freie Arbeiter Stimme in the 1930s. The papers consist of correspondence relating to personal matters and editorial work, three radiograms reporting on the Spanish Civil War, some miscellaneous documents, and six circulars and one manifesto of the Association Internationale des Travailleurs. Contains letters from many leading anarchists including Emma Goldman. The papers are in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Yiddish, with the Russian and Yiddish items accompanied by translations.

The collection consists primarily of personal and editorial correspondence, and also includes documents and circulars from the Association Internationale de Travailleurs (International Workingmen's Association). The correspondence mainly concerns the international anarchist movement and the anarchist, anti-Fascist role in the Spanish Civil War. Mrachnyi was known to most of the correspondents under the pseudonyms Mraschnyi or Mratchny, but he also used his original name, Klavansky, in Europe and Clevens in the United States. His wife used the name Johanna Clevens, reverting to her maiden name, Boetz, after their divorce.

The papers are in English, French, German, Russian,Spanish, and Yiddish. Translations of most of the Russian items were provided by Charles Gilbert. Articles received for publication in Fraye Arbeter Shtime (Freie Arbeiter Stimme) have been removed to the FAS collection.

The letters in the Mark Holtz Correspondence collection, addressed to Holtz from various locations in Russia, are from seven Russian political dissidents who had received money and the promise of reading material from Holtz, an American teacher living in Los Angeles. The letters give brief descriptions of the authors' desolation, illness, and great financial need. Writers are Lev L. Blomets, Andrei N. Kalachev, V. Khudolei, A. A. Kolemasov, Anatoli Konse, Raia V. Shulman, and Nikolai Tushanov.

The letters, all addressed to Holtz from various locations in Russia, are signed holographs from seven Russian political dissidents who had received money and the promise of reading material from Holtz. The letters give brief descriptions of the authors' desolation, illness, and great financial need. Writers are Lev L. Blomets, Andrei N. Kalachev, V. Khudolei, A. A. Kolemasov, Anatoli Konse, Raia V. Shulman, and Nikolai Tushanov.

The collection is organized in alphabetical order by name of correspondent. All the documents are in Russian, but partial translations into English are included.

Marcus Graham was the pseudonym of Shmuel Marcus (1893-?), Rumanian-born editor of the anarchist journal Man!, which was published from 1933 to 1940. His papers include letters from Michael A. Cohen, Frederick J. Gould, Bolton Hall, and Henry J. Stuart, and two essays by Steven T. Byington, "Why is a War?" and "Benjamin Ricketson Tucker," all marked for apparent publication in Man!, a letter from Max Metzkow enclosing an anarchist leaflet about the Homestead Strike circulated shortly before the trial of Alexander Berkman, and a letter from D. Alonso concerning the Comite pro Libertad de Prensa Marcus Graham and translating a Graham pamphlet into Spanish. (http://www.lib.umich.edu/labadie-collection/archives-and-manuscripts-g-l)

Photographs, correspondence, ephemera, and trophies relating to the Thompson family of Detroit. While most of the material relates to the elder Thompsons (Mamie L. and W.A.) and their work with the NAACP, there is also a scrapbook highlighting the accomplishments of their son, Arthur L. Thompson, the first black medical officer in the Navy. Highlights include both formal portraits and informal family snapshots, correspondence related to the NAACP (including a signed letter from Walter White), and trophies the elder Thompsons received in recognition of their service. Most material dates from the 1920s-40s, with smaller amounts of material up to the 1960s.

The collection is approximately 2.25 linear feet. The bulk of the collection is photographs, both in albums and loose, totaling more than 400 photos. Some are posed, formal shots and others are informal snapshots or Polaroids taken between the 1920s and the late 1960s. A small number of photos (presumably of the Thomspsons' ancestors) predate the 1920s. The photos mostly depict the home lives and recreation of the Thompsons and friends. Awards recognize the Thompsons' contributions to the NAACP and fundraising efforts. Correspondence and newspaper clippings are limited to one sparse folder apiece, and again mainly concern the activities of the Detroit branch of the NAACP. Also included is the guest book for an "Interracial Fellowship party" hosted by the Thompsons in December of 1950 and a scrapbook documenting their son's military career.

French activist Louis Blanc's papers consist of five manuscripts and 59 letters, most addressed to publisher Leon Escudier, and to Blanc's long-time friend, Noel Parfait (1831-1898).

The papers consist of five manuscripts and 59 letters, most addressed to Escudier, the publisher of Blanc's works, and to his friend Noel Parfait (1831-1898).

The Louie Crew Papers document the life and writings of Louie Crew Clay (1936-2019): a gay activist, Episcopalian minister, professor, and poet. He founded Integrity, an Episcopal forum for gay rights, and best known as an advocate for the acceptance of gay people within the Episcopal Church and the academic community. Papers consist of correspondence, publications and writings, professional materials such as teaching and committee work, Episcopal church and Integrity records, and personal materials.

Louie Crew Papers has been divided into 6 series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1947-2006: divided into outgoing and incoming correspondence, arranged by correspondent or by date. Incoming correspondence from 1962 to 1985 is arranged by correspondent and then date, while correspondence from 1986 to 2005 is arranged by date. Incoming correspondence aquired in later accretions is arranged by date.

Series 2: Publications and Writings, 1958-2015: includes articles, prose, poems and poetry volumes, sermons, manuscripts, essays, dissertations, and materials written and/or edited by Crew. Materials are arranged by publication type and then by date.

Series 3: Professional Materials, 1959-2015: documents related to Crew's career as an English professor, gay activism outside of the church, and his involvement in various organizations and conferences. The series is divided into 3 subseries: (1) Teaching Materials, (2) Organizations, Conferences, and Research, and (3) News Clippings and Secondary Materials. All are arranged by date.

Materials include Crew's involvement with the Gay Academic Union, National Council of Teachers of English Gay Caucus, National Gay Task Force, Gay People's Union, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and Black and White Men Together, as well as Crew's development of open-source software programs for writing. Materials of particular significance include Crew's "Gay Bibliography,"which is a collection of pamphlets, brochures, articles, and other research on a variety of gay organizations and subjects.

Series 4: Episcopal Church and Integrity Records, 1974-2006: documents related to Crew's involvement in the Episcopal Church, including his service on the Executive Council, House of Bishops, Council for the Diocese of Newark, and General Conventions. Also included are materials related to Episcopal conferences, talks, and mission trips. Integrity Records documents Crew's founding of Integrity, a non-profit Episcopal Forum for gay rights, and includes board reports and correspondence, bylaws, and the Integrity newsletter. Also included are news articles, reports, newsletters, correspondence, and other materials sent to Crew from presidents and board members.

Series 5: Personal Materials, 1936-2014: contains diaries and appointment books, baby and wedding scrapbooks, artwork, awards and honorary degrees, family genealogy materials, and legal documents. Also included are graphs showing statistics Crew collected on himself related to manuscript publications and rejections, correspondence sent, time spent asleep, computer activity, and other personal data.

Significant materials include Crew's lawsuits regarding housing discrimination, a sexual discrimination suit against American University, and a same sex domestic partner health benefits case against Rutgers University.

Series 6: Photographs and Audiovisual Materials, 1937-2011. Photographs contain headshots and candid photos of Louie Crew and his husband, Ernest Clay. Also included are Crew's theater photos and candid shots of friends and family. Audiovisual Materials contain audiocassettes, floppy disks, VHS, and CDs of interviews, poetry readings, sermons and talks, published poems, and pdfs of Crew's websites and YouTube videos.