Works Progress Administration (WPA), Real Property Survey

Range: 1936 - 1938 Size: 1 cubic foot Record Group: $content.recordGroup

The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unemployed people during the Great Depression to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads and the survey of real property. The Works Progress Administration Real Property Surveys consist of 11 volumes of Real Property survey books (Project No. 9077) for Akron, Barberton, and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio from February 15 to April 15, 1936.


Wingard, Paul, Papers

Range: 1974 - 1976 Size: 18 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Paul Wingard is a Republican politician from Stow, Ohio who served for two-years in the Ohio Legislature in the 1970s. His papers contain materials from his terms in the legislature including committee proceedings, legislation, and general correspondence.


Vallen, George D., Sr., Papers

Range: 1916 - 2013 Size: 1.25 Record Group: 99/173

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George Dales Vallen, Sr. (1899-1978) of Akron, Ohio served during the Mexican Border War and during World War I in Company F of the 8th Ohio Infantry Regiment of the Ohio National Guard, which was redesignated Company F of the 146th Infantry Regiment of the 73rd Infantry Brigade of the 37th Division, also known as the “Buckeye Division.”  His papers document his experiences during the Border War and World War I and include diaries, correspondence, photographs, Company F rosters, maps of the front, a two-volume history of the 37th Division, and a biography of Vallen.  Researchers interested in the experience of an enlisted man during the Great War or the war in general would find this collection useful. 

  To view the Letters and Diaries.

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Suso, Julian., Papers

Range: 1949 - 1972 Size: 8 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Julian Suso was a faculty member at The University of Akron and Director of the Akron Department of Planning and Urban Renewal. His papers include reports, proposals, and correspondence regarding his career and the development of the Akron area.


Summit County Civilian Defense Council

Range: 1941 - 1946 Size: 3 cubic feet Record Group:

Scrapbooks, radio scripts, and publications. Scrapbooks (six) on civilian defense activities , Books (four) with publications on child care, nutrition, statistics, and handbooks on jobs within the council (medical corps, firefighters, bomb squads, etc.). Framed "Citation for Merit" for the work done by members of the Defense Council.


Seiberling, John F., Papers

Range: 1937 - 1995 Size: 650 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

John F. Seiberling, Jr. (1918-2008) was the grandson of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company co-founder F.A. Seiberling and a Democratic congressman representing Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, based in Akron, Ohio. He helped establish the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and served on the House Judiciary Committee that held the impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon. His papers document his congressional activities and include correspondence, legislation drafts, reports, newspaper clippings, artifacts, and materials relating to bills before Congress. Subjects include the Nixon impeachment hearings, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Alaska lands, strip and surface mining, and public lands issues.

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Sawyer, William T., Family

Range: 1877 - 1953 Size: 5.3 cubic feet Record Group: 99/138

Correspondence, travel accounts, photographs, genealogies and miscellaneous material concerning Sawyer's personal life, professional life and family. Includes military memorabilia from George Childs (1860s-1890s).

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Sailor, Joseph, Letters

Range: 1862 - 1894 Size: 0.5 cubic feet Record Group: 99/82

Joseph Sailor (1824-1863), a tanner from DeGraff, Ohio, served as a private in Company E of the 45th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War. His letters primarily consist of correspondence to his wife and parents from 1862 to his death in 1863 and detail daily life of the Union soldier in camp, prosecution of the war in Kentucky, and medical practice during the Civil War. Also included are a newspaper account of Sailor's life and several letters describing politics in Civil War-era Ohio.

 View the Sailor letters here.

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Ray, Roy L., Papers

Range: 1978 - 1995 Size: 3.0 cubic feet Record Group: 99/121

Roy L. Ray was a politician and public servant from Akron, Ohio who served as Deputy Service Director in 1971, Public Utilities Commissioner in 1973, Budget Director in 1975, and Finance Director in 1977.  He served as Mayor of Akron from 1980 through 1983 and Ohio State Senator from 1987 to 2001. His papers consist of campaign records for both of his mayoral campaigns, materials from his time as mayor, correspondence during his time as an Ohio State Senator, and diplomas, certificates, and memorabilia. 

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Private Industry Council of Akron

Range: 1979 - 1982 Size: 1.3 Record Group: 99/95

The Private Industry Council (PIC) of Akron was formed in 1978 as an outgrowth of President Jimmy Carter’s Private Sector Initiative Program.  The records consist of correspondence, newspaper clippings, articles, booklets, pamphlets, reports, surveys, photographs, and advertisements relating to PIC activities, including job training and hiring programs and advertising campaigns to attract new businesses to Akron.

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Priest, Dr. Ira A., Papers and Artifacts

Range: 1876 - 1956 Size: 12.0 Record Group: 99/84

Dr. Ira A. Priest (1856-1933) was a minister in the Universalist Church, fifth president of Buchtel College (now The University of Akron), and a chaplain in the 8th Ohio Infantry of the Ohio National Guard. His papers and artifacts consist of correspondence, sermons, writings, printed materials, photographs, clippings, uniforms, personal items, and memorabilia that relate to Dr. Priest’s long career as a minister, chaplain, and academic in Ohio, Texas, and Vermont.

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Polsley, John J.

Range: 1839 - 1948 Size: 0.5 cubic feet Record Group: 99/136

Lieutenant Colonel John J. Polsley served in the American Civil War in the 8th Regiment Virginia Volunteers, which later became the 7th Regiment West Virginia Cavalry. Polsley was captured in 1863 and sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. The papers primarily contain correspondence to his wife, Ellen (Nelly) S. Donnally Polsley. He wrote of camp life and battles as well as his thoughts on war. Also included are letters to his father, Judge Daniel H. Polsley.

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Neumann, Loretta, Oral History Interviews

Range: 1996 - 2006 Size: 1.0 Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Loretta Neumann of Washington, D.C. served as legislative assistant to Congressman John F. Seiberling of Akron, Ohio from 1973 to 1987. Her oral history interviews include 14 cassette tapes and transcriptions of interviews she conducted with Congressman Seiberling and his colleagues and members of his staff and family. 


League of Women Voters of the Akron Area Records

Range: 1940 - 1974 Size: 11 cubic feet Record Group: 99/151

The League of Women Voters is a bi-partisan American civic organization that was formed in 1920 to help women take a larger role in public affairs as they won the right to vote. The League of Women Voters of Akron was established in 1940 and combined with the Cuyahoga Falls and Stow, Ohio chapters in 1978 to form the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area (LWVAA). The records include meeting minutes, financial statements, correspondence, reports, program information, scrapbooks, news clippings, and publications that document the history of the organization.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


League of Women Voters of Canton Records

Range: 1920 - 1979 Size: 4.25 cubic feet Record Group: 99/148

The League of Women Voters is an American civic organization that was formed in 1920 to help women take a larger role in public affairs as they won the right to vote. The Canton, Ohio chapter was established in 1920 and is one of the oldest in the nation. The records include meeting minutes, financial reports, correspondence, program information, publications, and organization reports from the local, state, and national level that document the history of the organization.

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Isenman, Louis P. Papers

Range: 1862 - 1975 Size: 0.39 Record Group: 99/183

Louis P. Isenman was born in 1895 to German immigrant, John Isenman. A member of the Alsace-Lorraine Benevolent Union, he joined the military and served in both the Mexican Border War and World War I. Discharged in 1919, he passed away in 1986. The collection contains several documents from his father’s citizenship papers to his military papers as well as 152 photographs covering both the Mexican Border War and World War I.

 

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Huber, Walter B., Papers

Range: 1939 - 1955 Size: 42 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Walter B. Huber (1903-1982) was a Democratic United States Representative from Akron, Ohio who served in Congress from 1945 until 1951. His papers include correspondence, annual reports, Congressional Directories, copies of the Congressional Record, and political convention proceedings.


Gradisher, Thomas D. Journals and Travel Books

Range: 1982 - 2004 Size: 0.5 cubic feet Record Group: 99/251

Thomas D. “Thom” Gradisher, a University of Akron alumnus, was a United States diplomat who worked for the State Department from 1984 until 2004. He worked in Foreign Service, as Desk Officer in Washington, D.C., and as a Public Affairs Coordinator. His journals and travel books document his travels and work for the State Department.

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Foster, Robert J., Papers

Range: 1950s - 1980s Size: 2.0 Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Robert J. “Bob” Foster (1924-2009) of Randolph, Ohio served in the Navy during World War II and worked at Goodyear Aircraft Corporation and then Goodyear Aerospace for 39 years, from 1946 to 1985. He received three patents while working at Goodyear. His papers include correspondence, photographs, and blueprints relating to his life and work. 


Family Services of Summit County Records

Range: 1912 - 1990 Size: 4 cubic feet Record Group: 99/190

The Summit County Department of Family Services (now the Department of Job and Family Services) serves the people of Summit County, Ohio by providing social, financial, medical, and career-development services to better the lives of the members of the community. The records contain scrapbooks, annual reports, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and publications.  The records also include materials relating to the Dorcas Society, early Family Service achievements, and the Board of Volunteers. 

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Dobbs, Catherine R., Papers

Range: 1950 - 1973 Size: 3 cubic feet Record Group: 99/113

Catherine R. Dobbs was an Ohio State Senator from 1949-1950 and the Mayor of the city of Barberton, Ohio from 1956-1961. Her papers contain correspondence, speeches, lectures, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other materials from her service in the Ohio legislature as well as her time as Mayor of Barberton. The papers also include various materials associated with her political and social activities after leaving office.

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Dixon, G. Gale, Papers

Range: 1912 - 1954 Size: 1 cubic foot Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Gale Dixon served as Chief Engineer for the Bureau of Water Works Improvement for the City of Akron, Ohio. Dixon’s papers relate to her career and Akron's water supply and include biographical information, reports, publications, topographic maps, and miscellaneous materials.


City of Akron, Office of the Mayor, Thomas C. Sawyer Records

Range: 1983 - 1986 Size: 20.35 cubic feet Record Group: 99/122

Thomas C. Sawyer (b. 1945), a Democratic politician from Akron, Ohio, served as Mayor of the City of Akron, Ohio from 1984 to 1986. During his administration he oversaw the balancing of the city budget, improved delivery of municipal services, redirected the course for the city’s growth by supporting research and development in the global rubber industry, and elevated the role of polymers in the economic future of Akron and Northeastern Ohio. The records from Sawyer’s administration include subject files, correspondence, budget and development plans, and department reports.

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City of Akron, Office of the Mayor, Roy L. Ray Records

Range: 1979 - 1984 Size: 19.25 cubic feet Record Group: 99/120

Roy L. Ray (b. 1939), a Republican politician from Akron, Ohio, served as Mayor of the City of Akron from 1980 through 1983. During his administration he oversaw management of the city’s finances during the recession of the 1980s and economic development in downtown Akron. The records from Ray’s administration include correspondence and subject files documenting the activities and plans of his administration, including economic development, union negotiations, and unemployment.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


City of Akron, Office of the Mayor, John S. Ballard Records

Range: 1954 - 1979 Size: 116 cubic feet Record Group: 99/77

John S. Ballard (1922-2012), a Republican attorney from Akron, Ohio, served as Mayor of the City of Akron from 1966 through 1979. During his administration he battled intercity decay, loss of industry, unemployment, and migration of residents and retail to the suburbs with urban renewal and revitalization of the downtown area. The records from Ballard’s administration include subject files, scrapbooks, and legal records documenting his administration as well as information on boards and commissions, urban aid programs, and civil disturbances of the late 1960s.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


Citizens for a County Charter Records

Range: 1976 - 1979 Size: 0.25 cubic feet Record Group: 99/143

The Citizens for a County Charter was a bi-partisan, twenty-five member committee formed in 1979 to draft a charter for Summit County, Ohio and place it on the November ballot that year. Known as Issue 2, it passed on November 6, 1979 and went into effect on January 1, 1981. The records include materials pertaining to various aspects of the 1979 campaign for the adoption of a Summit County Charter including proposals, publicity, campaign plans, and correspondence.

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Bliss, Ray and Ellen, Papers

Range: 1925 - 1990 Size: 65 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

Ray C. Bliss (1907-1981) was a long-time Republican politician from Akron, Ohio who served on the local, state, and national levels. As Chairman of the Republican National Committee he helped rebuild the Republican Party and helped Richard Nixon win the White House in 1968.  The papers document the life and work of Ray Bliss and his wife, Ellen, as well as the Republican Party and political events including conventions and inaugurations.  They include correspondence, publications, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, campaign materials, artifacts, and memorabilia. 


B-26 Marauder Archives, Virgil L. Bell Collection

Range: 1941 - 1993 Size: .33 Record Group: 100/19

Virgil L. Bell (1920-2002) served as a radio operator and mechanic on B-26 Marauders in the 17th and 319th bombardment groups of the 12th Air Force during World War II. He also served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His collection includes photographs, newsletters, rosters, registrations, and plaques documenting the 319th Bombardment Group and 17th Bombardment Group of the 12th Air Force.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, Robert L. Holliday Papers

Range: 1942 - 2001 Size: 3 cubic feet Record Group: 100/1

Lt. Col. Robert L. "Hap" Holliday (1916-2013) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania served as a B-26 Marauder pilot in the 572nd and 573rd bomb squadrons of the 391st Bombardment Group during World War II. He flew 65 missions during the war, including the D-Day invasion. After the war Holliday worked as a sales engineer and later founder and president of R.L. Holliday Company. His papers include his military service records and correspondence and materials from the 391st Bomb Group Association, the B-26 Marauder Historical Society, and the B-26 Archives Advisory Council.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, George W. Parker Collection

Range: 1936 - 2008 Size: 18.25 Record Group: 100/33

George W. Parker (1923-2009) served as a B-26 Marauder pilot with the 397th Bomb Group during World War II. He went on to serve a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, served three terms as a Missouri state representative, and was a founder of the B-26 Marauder Historical Society. His collection consists of materials documenting the Second World War including mission reports, flight logs, diaries, notebooks, photographs, and publications. His collection also includes materials on various B-26 Marauder and 9th Air Force reunion groups.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, Gaylord M. Yoder Collection

Range: 1942 - 1945 Size: 0.2 Record Group: 100/38

Gaylord M. Yoder (1923-2015) of Wooster, Ohio served as a tail gunner on a B-25 Mitchell and B-26 Marauder during World War II. His collection includes photographs of Yoder, a history of the 386th Bombardment Group, and Yoder’s discharge form, awards, insignia, ribbons, patches, and emblems.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, Charles H. Drake Papers

Range: 1943 - 1949 Size: 0.25 cubic feet Record Group: 100/2

Major Charles H. Drake (1918-2009) of Georgia served as a bombardier/navigator and later combat intelligence officer in the Headquarters Squadron of the 391st Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force during World War II. He saw action in England, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. His papers include orders he received throughout his military service and numerous photographs taken during World War II.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, C. Forman “Dee” Dirickson Collection

Range: 1941 - 1946 Size: 1.8 Record Group: 100/39

C. Forman “Dee” Dirickson (1919-2007) was a 1st Lieutenant and B-26 Marauder pilot in the 451st Squadron of the 322nd Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force during World War II. After the war he served as a corporate pilot. His collection consists of materials from his time as a pilot during World War II including flight logs, orders, photographs, maps, memorabilia, and records from pilot training.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


B-26 Marauder Archives, 455th Bombardment Squadron Association Records

Range: 1942 - 2011 Size: 9 cubic feet Record Group: 100/3

The 455th Bombardment Squadron of the 323rd Bombardment Group was a B-26 Marauder squadron in the United States Army Air Forces that operated in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The 455th Bombardment Squadron Association was organized in the early 1980s to plan reunions of members and document the squadron’s history, but disbanded in 2011. The association’s records include correspondence, memoirs, photographs, publications, and scrapbooks collected and used by the association.

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B-26 Marauder Archives, 319th B.G. Reunion Association Records

Range: 1934 - 2001 Size: 20.05 Record Group: 100/26

The 319th Bombardment Group was a group of bomber aircraft in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was originally attached to the 12th Air Force, mostly flying B-26 Marauders in the North African and Italian campaigns, but was later attached to the 7th Air Force in the Pacific Theater. The 319th Bombardment Group Reunion Association was organized in 1974 to plan reunions of members and preserve the group’s history, but disbanded in 1999. The association’s collection consists of newsletters, photographs, correspondence, printed materials, and videos created and collected by the association and its members.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


B-26 Marauder Archives, 17th B.G. Reunion Association Collection

Range: 1920 - 2011 Size: 24.23 cubic feet Record Group: 100/27

The 17th Bombardment Group was a group of bomber aircraft in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was attached to the 12th Air Force and participated in numerous missions, including the Doolittle Raid, but mostly operated in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and over Germany, typically flying B-26 Marauders. The group also served during the Korean conflict. The 17th Bombardment Group Reunion Association was organized in 1977 to plan reunions of group members. The association’s collection consists of correspondence, military records, newsletters, photographs, printed materials, and videos created and collected by the association and its members.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


B-26 Marauder Archives

Range: 1930 - 2008 Size: 200 cubic feet Record Group: 100

The Martin B-26 Marauder was a medium bomber used in the Pacific and European theaters of operation during World War II and on a limited basis during the Korean conflict. The B-26 Marauder Archives consists of photographs, letters, diaries, mission reports, microfilm, artifacts, and other materials that document the important contribution made by the B-26 Marauder and the men who flew and maintained them during the Second World War. The Archives also contains official records of numerous Marauder reunion groups including newsletters, membership lists, reunion programs, and photographs. The archives also includes published materials including bombardment group and squadron histories, personal accounts, and books and pamphlets on the Marauder men.

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Area Progress Board Records

Range: 1936 - 1974 Size: 9 cubic feet Record Group: 99/107

The Area Progress Board was formed in 1968 as a merger between the Area Develop Committee and the Citizens for Progress to promote the industrial and civic development of the Akron area. The Area Progress Board participates in urban renewal projects, city planning, highway development, and other programs which advance the economic growth of the area. The records contain meeting minutes, correspondence, scrapbooks, reports, and subject files of the board and its predecessors including the Citizens Postwar Planning Committee, the Area Development Committee, Citizens for Progress, and the Greater Akron Association.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


American Legion Post 209 Records

Range: 1919 - 2005 Size: 25 cubic feet Record Group: 99/162

American Legion Post 209, also known as the “Wingfoot Post,” was founded in Akron, Ohio in 1919 by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company employees returning from World War I. The records consist of meeting minutes, financial records, correspondence, photographs, membership lists, articles of incorporation, and constitutions and bylaws of the post. The records also include letters and photographs from Goodyear employees serving stateside and overseas during the First World War that were collected by Goodyear and later given to the post.   

[Finding Aid] What is this?


Akron Topological Maps

Range: 1920 - 1969 Size: 1 cubic foot Record Group:

"Topological maps of the City of Akron, detailing geological features, locations of streets and large buildings, and surface features. "  To view Akron Topological maps


Akron Regional Development Board Records

Range: 1957 - 1982 Size: 6.66 Record Group: 99/92

The Akron Regional Development Board was formed in 1975 to promote business and industrial development in the tri-county area.  The organization provided consultation to law-making bodies and conducted studies on issues including the Akron Public School levies, city taxes, local business expansions, and state highways.  The records consist of subject files of programs and projects and photographs of local businesses.

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Akron City Water Department Photographs

Range: 1917 - 1937 Size: 1 cubic foot Record Group: 99/97

The Akron City Water Department was created by City Council in 1912 to address the city’s mass problem of a water supply polluted by the burgeoning rubber industry. The photographs include numerous 3"x 5" photographic prints recording the construction of the Water Department including major additions of the water purification plant, extensive water main surveys, new water towers, stand pipes, and pumping stations. While the photographs are technical in content, they also contain views of streets, neighborhoods, and working conditions of early 20th century Akron.

[Finding Aid] What is this?


Akron and Summit County Federation of Women's Clubs Records

Range: 1894 - 2010 Size: 7.0 Record Group: 99/93

The Akron and Summit County Federation of Women’s Clubs was organized in 1893 and united with the Ohio State Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1917. The group raised money for charity, hosted guest speakers, awarded scholarships, worked on various community-related projects, and lobbied for political reform. The records include notebooks, directories, scrapbooks, newsletters and subjects files that document the history of the group. 

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104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company H Records

Range: 1862 - 1886 Size: 2 cubic feet Record Group: $content.recordGroup

The 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War that was organized at Camp Massillon in Massillon, Ohio in 1862. The 104th OVI consisted of ten companies, including Company H. The records include the company roster, a brief history of the company, newspaper clippings, and biographical sketches of every company member. The records also include pension and military service records of the veterans of Company H and their beneficiaries.

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