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.

Search Results

New York Statewide Senior Action Council Records, 1974-2001

14.05 cubic ft.
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council records document the issues faced by senior citizens in New York State over the course of almost three decades. The bulk of the records consist of subject files in the areas of health care, Medicare, and social security issues. In addition to topical material, these records document the fundraising activities of the organization and its various sub-groups. Notably included are publications issued by the organization, including the Sentinel newsletter (1992-1996) and the Senior Action newspaper (1977-1991). The bulk of the material, found in the subject files, is useful for documenting issues about which NYSSAC was active. NYSSAC's work with New York state legislators, as well as government and private agencies in advocating for seniors and social justice issues, and their outreach efforts in education and advocacy, are well documented throughout the collection. Records of the activities of Executive Directors Michael Burgess and Bonnie Ray are the most prominent in the collection.

Solidarity Committee of The Capital District Records, 1978-2023

20.8 cubic ft.
The Greyhound Strikers Solidarity Committee of the Capital District was created by Albany-area labor union activists in support of the autumn 1983 Amalgamated Transit Union strike against Greyhound Bus Lines. After the strike, the group was reconstituted as the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District (SCCD) and worked to support hundreds of strikes and labor activities in Eastern New York, across the country, and in Latin America.

Nancy Papish Papers, 1953-2001, bulk 1970-1994

11.0 cubic ft.
The papers of Nancy Papish document her involvement with Clearwater, North River Friends of Clearwater (NRFC), and the campaign to stop Hydro-Quebec's development plan for James Bay. These papers document the environmental activism of Nancy Papish from the 1970s through the 1990s. Included are meeting minutes, notes, mailings, press releases, news clippings, magazine articles, programs, and publications. The Clearwater files contain near-complete runs of newsletters produced by both NRFC and the parent Clearwater organization. Evidence of NRFC's outreach activities is found in a slide show titled "This Is Clearwater" and numerous poster displays. Documentation of Clearwater's organization and administration, such as meeting minutes, internal reports, and committee files, are almost entirely absent. There is little information about the membership of Clearwater. The James Bay files contain materials from several organizations.

Ronald B. Stafford Papers, 1956-2002

86.56 cubic ft.
The Ronald B. Stafford Papers document Stafford's service as a New York State Senator representing the 45th District.
3 results in this collection
Folder

This series contains records related to problem-solving activity on behalf of Senator Stafford's constituents. Each year, Senator Stafford's office received numerous letters from constituents asking for help with various problems. A typical case file consists of the constituent's letter, attached supporting material, and notes on the action taken to resolve the problem. The casework for each year is typically grouped under the file name General Casework with larger cases belonging in their own, separate folder. Cases are arranged chronologically by year.

Folder

This series contains a large amount of photographs taken during Senator Ronald Stafford's time in office. Senator Stafford can be seen with school groups, organizations such as 4-H, and other legislators. Some files also contain the letter sent along with the photographs. This series contains photographs of identified groups or individuals as well as unidentified ones. Photographs of identifiable events were each given their own folders. Headshots of Senator Stafford and negatives of photographs are also included.

Jackson Davis Papers, 1952-1997

9.83 cubic ft.
The papers of Jackson Davis document his environmental activism and work with environmental organizations.

The New York Civil Liberties Union Records, 1998 December 5 - 2017 July 28

700 cubic ft.
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is the preeminent statewide organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of individual civil liberties and civil rights in New York State. Founded in 1951, the NYCLU's mission is to defend and uphold the basic rights and liberties articulated in the Bill of Rights and to advocate, litigate and educate for the protection of civil liberties. Through litigation, legal counsel, advocacy and legislative lobbying, the NYCLU has, among many issues, protected political freedom during the McCarthy era, argued against the constitutionality of the Vietnam War, created the first project focused on the rights of mentally disabled, and was the first civil liberties organization to advocate for reforming the foster care placement system. Over the last thirty years, the NYCLU has advocated for issues surrounding voting rights and censorship, fought to end gender discrimination and school segregation in New York State schools, and defended the separation of church and state. The collection consists of legal case files, administrative records and other archival materials. The collection is being processed and is currently closed, unless permission to access is granted in writing from the NYCLU Executive Director.
1 result in this collection
Folder
Restricted

The Executive Director files contain the material of past Executive Directors, plus Associate Directors and Interim Directors. It contains the bulk of the NYCLU organizational, advocacy and subject files, including legislative memorandum, reports, and materials relating to civil liberties issues locally and national campaigns.

Atlantic States Legal Foundation Records, 1966-2009

179.74 cubic ft.
The Atlantic States Legal Foundation Records document the environmental not-for-profit organization's pollution reduction and environmental remediation projects and cases throughout the United States and territories.
2 results in this collection
Folder
Online

This series contains primarily environmental, scientific and legal journals, magazines, newsletters, reports, analyses, studies, and other publications collected by the ASLF. The majority of materials address environmental issues or geographic areas specific to New York State, although the Midwest is well represented. The series is divided into four subseries - serials, New York publications, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation publications and publications about issues outside of New York.