People for the American Way collection of conservative political ephemera, 1980-2004

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Summary

Creators:
People for the American Way
Abstract:
This collection is comprised of ephemera assembled by the People For the American Way and pertaining to right-wing movements in the United States. The collection documents the ideological orientations, policy positions, talking points, and organizational structures and strategies of hundreds of right-wing organizations, individuals, and publications.
Extent:
118 cartons; 1 box; 1 oversize box. circa 148 linear feet
Language:
Collection materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], People for the American Way Collection of Conservative Political Ephemera, BANC MSS 2010/152, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is comprised of "Political Ephemera," assembled by the People For the American Way and pertaining to right-wing movements in the United States. The collection documents the ideological orientations, policy positions, talking points, and organizational structures and strategies of hundreds of right-wing organizations, individuals, and publications. A large portion of the collection focuses specifically on documents associated with the "religious right." Of particular interest (due to the scope) are materials pertaining to the American Family Association, Christian Coalition, Coalition for Better TV, Concerned Women for America, Family Research Council, the Moral Majority, and the Pat Robertson Papers. Additionally, there are comprehensive collections of the following publications: Charisma & Christian Life, Chalcedon Report, Chronicle, Focus on the Family, and New American.

The collection consists of three series: Organization Files, Publication Files, and Subject Files. Materials include organizations’ and individuals’ pamphlets, direct mailings, publications, speeches, conference programs, internal financial records, membership, fundraising strategies, voter guides, manuals, biographies, and publications.

Biographical / historical:

People for the American Way (PFAW) was founded in 1981 by Norman Lear, Barbara Jordan, Father Theodore Hesburgh, and Andrew Heiskell. PFAW is dedicated to promoting equality, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Their operational mission includes promoting progressive policies, electing progressive candidates, and holding public officials accountable. Josh Glasstetter from PFAW read in the New York Times about the newly formed Center for the Comparative Study of Right-wing Movements at UC Berkeley. He then contacted the Center’s Executive Director, Dr. Lawrence Rosenthal, to inquire about the possibility of the Center providing a home for the PFAW archive of materials pertaining to American right-wing groups and individuals. Dr. Christine Trost, Program Director for the Center, contacted the Bancroft Library to see if they might be interested in processing and housing the collection.

Acquisition information:
The People for the American Way Collection of Conservative Political Ephemera was given to The Bancroft Library by the Center for the Comparative Study of Right Wing Movements, Institute for Study of Societal Issues, University of California, Berkeley in June 2010.
Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], People for the American Way Collection of Conservative Political Ephemera, BANC MSS 2010/152, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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