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League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 55

Scope and Contents

The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records document the history and administrative actions of various League of Women Voters organizations in the Greater Lafayette area.  Types of materials include correspondence, photographs, news clippings, administrative records, printed ephemera, programs, financial records, and websites. Links to the archived website can be found in "External Documents".

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1965 - 2000
  • 1920 - 2019

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Access Information

Note that some materials in the collection were printed on the backs of unrelated documents. In some cases, material of a sensitive nature may be included in the unrelated documents. Unrelated material should be disregarded. Researchers will be required to sign a Sensitive Information Agreement prior to accessing the collection. Please consult an archivist with any questions.

One folder of documents that contained personally identifying information on the backs of materials, and was determined to be in violation of privacy laws has been photocopied for preservation purposes. Original materials have been separated and restricted.

The Archived Website: League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette Members, 2017-2019 contains resticted materials to view the website please consult an archivist.

Digital media are unprocessed and not available to access.

Copyright and Use Information

Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University or original creator. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Historical Information

In 1920, with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, The National American Woman Suffrage Association reformed itself as the League of Women Voters. State organizations, including Indiana's generally followed this reorganization pattern and the Tippecanoe County League of Women Voters was fromed in April of 1920. Although the League's first task was teaching newly enfranchised women the mechanics of registering and voting, it has evolved into a non-partisan political organization whose purpose is to encourage the informed and active political participation of all citizens. The State League had its third annual convention in Lafayette in 1922. Ada Whittredge (Ellswort) Stuart was the first President of the Tippecanoe County League and also served on the State board. In 1956 the county league divided into two leagues: The Lafayette League of Women Voters and the League of Women Voters of West Lafayette to better serve their individual municipalities. However, in 1962 the Leagues merged back into one entity as The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette. Over the years, the League has researched, debated, and advocated for a variety of local social political issues, such as environmental concerns in the Wabash watershed, parks and recreation, public utilities, welfare, youth issues, neighborhood identity, zoning decisions, and education reforms.

Extent

19.757 Cubic Feet (11 full-width legal-size manuscript boxes, 16 full-width letter-size manuscript boxes, 1 flat box, 7 cubic foot box, and 1 shoe box) : Includes 3 unprocessed videocassettes, 6 unprocessed cds, and 1 unprocessed floppy disk

Arrangement

The League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records are arranged by topic in five series.
  1. Historical Materials: State and Local Leagues
  2. Administrative: Local Leagues
  3. Voter Service Committee
  4. Studies by Local Leagues
  5. Public Relations and Publicity

Custodial History

The records were originally held by the Tippecanoe County Historical Association.  In March 2010 they were donated to ASC by Elizabeth Doversberger of the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette. Additional donations have been made by Joanne Evers and Jean Andres.

Acquisition Information

Materials were donated by various representatives of the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette, beginning in 2010.

Accruals

New materials are periodically added to the records by the League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette.

Processing Information

Materials are arranged topically into five series.  All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and acid-free boxes.  Photographs have been housed in polyester sleeves. Moldy materials in Series 2, Subseries A (1954–2003) and Series II, Subseries D (1956–1980) have been removed from the collection and replaced with photocopies on acid-free paper. Some materials were printed on the backs of unrelated materials containing personal information. Photocopies of the relevant information stand in place of the version with restricted materials on the back. If the material was a computer print out and had no annotations or other original markings, the resitrcted version was destroyed. If there were annotations or other original markings, the version was retained and placed in a restricted file.

Digital materials are not available in their original format and must be reformatted to a digital access copy. Digital materials are currently unprocessed.
Title
League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette records
Status
Under Revision
Author
Virginia Pleasant. Previous versions completed by Sarah Cooke (Tippecanoe County Historical Society), Emma Meyer, Stephanie Schmitz, Jonnie McConnell.
Date
2019-07-17
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Edition statement
Fifth edition. Collection description was first created circa 1990.

Revision Statements

  • 2013-11-21: Collection description was revised by Jonnie McConnell.
  • 2010-04-23: Collection description was revised by Emma Meyer.
  • 2010-12-01: Collection description was revised by Stephanie Schmitz.
  • 2019-07-17: Collection description was revised by Virginia Pleasant to reflect updated description standards and new additions.

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839