Collections : [New York State Modern Political Archive]

New York State Modern Political Archive

New York State Modern Political Archive

Elected officials, interest groups, and activists from New York State.
The New York State Modern Political Archive (NYSMPA) was established in 1982 to document the work of individuals and private interest groups concerned with New York State public policy issues in the 20th century. Originally named the Archives of Public Affairs and Policy, the NYSMPA collects, preserves, and facilitates access to primary sources pertaining to New York State public affairs and policy, and now includes the personal papers of members of the gubernatorial administrations of Nelson A. Rockefeller; papers of former New York Congressional members and elected officials who served in New York State Legislature; and the official records and papers of numerous private groups, professional associations, individuals, public-sector labor unions, community groups, and other organizations concerned with Empire State public-policy issues.

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File
Online

The Camp Woodland audio recordings may be one of the more significant components of the collection. While at Camp Woodland, Norman Studer recorded numerous oral histories of many of the indigenous Catskill residents as well as the annual Folk Festival of the Catskills. Studer was acutely aware that he was in a position to capture the ethnographic folk culture, music, and ecology of a fading era. In many instances, the tapes represent the only extant recordings and variations of a number of songs.

Folder
Online

This subseries contains manuscript and typescript drafts, typescripts, notes, reprints, monographs, and a small amount of correspondence related to Studer's writing projects. Of interest are two typescript drafts of unpublished projects: Community Life and Woodland Story both of which are reflective pieces examining Studer's life and work at the Downtown Community School and Camp Woodland respectively. Please note that Studer published some Woodland Story chapters separately. For instance, "Folklore from a Valley that Died" (Chapter 9) was a standalone article in New York Folklore Quarterly in 1956. The standalone article "Yarns of a Catskill Woodsman" (Chapter 16) appeared in New York Folklore Quarterly in 1955. "Mike Todd's Story" (Chapter 11) later evolved into and was published as A Catskill Woodsman. A draft of Woodland Story's Chapter 17 entitled "Our Catskill Teachers" also appears as a section of a draft of Chapter 3. Therefore draft text is found in both files. This collection is missing later draft chapters of Woodland Story so there are gaps in the order.

Folder
Online

This series is divided up into eight subseries that document various prominent issues addressed by NYCAP in its work, particularly that used in its information clearinghouse and in programs it conducted. Subseries 4: Activist Organizations and Coalitions is a collection of materials from groups involved in promoting pesticide alternatives like NYCAP, or with other environmental issues generally. The series includes articles, correspondence, reports, pamphlets, and notes. The majority of the material was not produced by NYCAP, although it generally either part of a campaign they were working on, or information they distributed.

Folder

Legislation, 1974-2002 32.51 cubic ft.

Online

This series contains files on legislation of which Senator Ronald Stafford was a sponsor, co-sponsor or supporter. Files typically contain a final print of the bill and may contain drafts and previous versions, supporting material, and other material records to the bill. A majority of the files contain a copy of the final bill and a memorandum of support. Bills that faced public debate are in larger files, containing letters of support, letters of opposition, correspondence, and multiple drafts. A pattern can be seen within the legislation files pertaining to the issues Senator Stafford cared about. The same bill can be seen throughout multiple years, slightly changing in hopes to have it passed. The bill eventually stops appearing, signifying that it was either passed, or Senator Stafford decided not to pursue it again. The researcher should note that the full name of the bill is used as the file name from approximately 1974-1980. After that, the files are named in accordance with Stafford's naming scheme by the main theme or topic of the legislative bill. These themes and topics include the following: the Adirondack Park Agency, Fishing and Hunting Licenses, Environmental Issues, Retirement Membership and Services, and Higher Education. This series also contains legislative resolutions that Senator Stafford either introduced or supported. These were often to honor, memorialize, or congratulate people or events. Files are organized chronologically.