ABILITY CENTER OF GREATER TOLEDO RECORDS, 1920-2000. [PDF version]
Originally started by a small group of Toledo Rotarians as the Toledo Society for Crippled Children, through the years the organization has served as a convalescent home for children with disabilities, a polio and tuberculosis center, a school, and a social service agency. The collection includes photographs, board minutes and administrative materials, fundraising material, programming material, publications, newspaper clippings, and awards. MSS-190, 7 linear feet.
ASSISTANCE DOGS OF AMERICA, INC., 1986-2002.
Organization founded for the purpose of providing trained dogs and special equipment to enable handicapped persons to be more independent. Also provided community services designed to educate and sensitize the public. The collection includes administrative and financial records, photographs and videotape, printed material, and correspondence documenting the day-to-day work of the organization. MSS-175, 5 linear feet.
BITTERSWEET FARMS, 1974-2004
Supported living farm dedicated to the individual development of persons with autism. Included in this collection are administrative, funding, research, correspondence, and historical materials, as well as photographs and videotapes. MSS-195, 9 linear feet.
WILLIAM M. BOOKER SCRAPBOOKS, 1907-1952.
Civic leader, regional manager of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company (1874-1945).
Three volumes document Booker's civic and business endeavors from 1907 to 1945, including his work with the Toledo War Chest (which underwent many name changes, including Community Chest, now known as United Way), the Rotary Club, the American Red Cross, and the Toledo Area Boy Scouts of America through newspaper clippings, correspondence, speeches, and other materials. There is also some evidence of Booker's involvement with the disposition of Edward Drummond Libbey's estate in 1941. MSS-070, 1 linear foot.
CUMMINGS-ZUCKER CENTER RECORDS, 1913-1997.
A residential facility which also operated a school, it gave dependent, neglected and underprivileged girls a proper home life and suitable educational and vocational training as well as providing academic and domestic science training. The school was accredited by the Toledo Public Schools.
Administrative Records, Ephemera/Memorabilia, and Financial Records of the institution in its various iterations: Girl's Protection Agency(1913-1914), the Luella Cummings Home(1914-1981), the Cummings-Zucker Center(1981-1997). MSS-130, 5.75 linear feet.
DAVID'S HOUSE COMPASSION, 1987-2004
Service organization that provided education and counseling programs, as well as other assistance, to HIV/AIDS victims. Contains administrative files, funding and financial records, material on planning and development, printed material, audiovisual material, and ephemera. MSS-188, 12 linear feet.
FAMILY SERVICE OF NORTHWEST OHIO RECORDS, 1904-1989.
Social service agency (1904-Present).
Records document the programs, policies, and activities of this agency through its many name changes. Materials include: minutes (1904-1987), daily reports (1904-1908), scant correspondence, literary productions on agency history, a document signifying Edward D. Libbey's $30,000 donation to the agency in 1927, scrapbooks (1908-1980s), pamphlets, an in-house newsletter, and scattered issues of 3 agency newsletters. Some materials pertain to the Traveler's Aid Society of Toledo, (1919-1939). Access to some materials in this collection is restricted. MSS-075, 5 linear feet.
HUGH GREGORY GALLAGHER PAPERS, 1880-2002. [PDF version]
Disability Rights Activist
Paralyzed by polio contracted at the age of 19, Gallagher was known as the "father of the disability rights movement." He was the author of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, and wrote several books and many articles. Gallagher was also a respected Franklin D. Roosevelt scholar. His best-known book was likely FDR's Splendid Deception, which explored the former president's disability and how he hid it from the public. This collection contains correspondence, biographical and family files, Mr. Gallagher's writings, research files, senate files, photograph material, awards, and artifacts. MSS-185, 13 linear feet.
KIWANIS CLUB OF DOWNTOWN TOLEDO RECORDS, 1916-1989.
Fraternal and charitable organization, (1916-Present).
Collection documents the activities of this organization for Toledo businessmen through meeting minutes, membership records, monthly reports, weekly bulletins, and newsletters. Subjects include fund-raising (especially the annual Kiwanis Peanut Sales and Pancake Days) and business promotion. Files on guest speakers at weekly Kiwanis meetings offer information on a wide variety of subjects. MSS-081, 5 linear feet.
LEE LAWRENCE PAPERS, 1923-2002.
Disability Rights Activist
After a catastrophic fall ended her theatre and television career, Lee Lawrence spent the rest of her life advocating for the disabled and educating the public. This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, material on programs, agencies, organizations, laws, illnesses, diseases, and accessibility. It also contains printed material and proceedings of the White House Conferences on Handicapped Individuals and the White House Conference on Aging. MSS-174, 9 linear feet.
JOSINA JONES LOTT PAPERS, 1949-2000.
Educator
Founder of the Lott Day School, the first of several schools for developmentally disabled children. Mrs. Lott spent her life educating and advocating for children with physical and mental disabilities. Also started the Lott Sheltered Workshop, later known as Lott Industries, to train her students in job skills. MSS-186, 4.5 linear feet.
NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT FOUNDATION OF TOLEDO SCRAPBOOKS, 1958-1971.
Community operated organization devoted to the conservation and preservation of Toledo neighborhoods, established in 1952 and incorporated in 1957.
Scrapbooks contain mission statements and other foundation papers, newspaper clippings, and other materials documenting the group's efforts at community beautification. The scrapbooks were used to recruit new members and entered into national city beautification contests. Among the issues covered by these scrapbooks are air and water pollution, traffic safety, fair housing, gun control, industrial development, streets and expressway construction. MSS-073, 5 linear feet.
GUSTAVUS OHLINGER PAPERS, 1821-1987. [PDF version]
Lawyer, member of the Toledo United Nations Association (1877-1972).
Collection includes journals, correspondence, literary productions, scrapbooks, printed materials, and photographs related to Ohlinger's civic, professional, and personal life. Some correspondence documents his high school years in Chefoo, China. A journal kept by Ohlinger from 1902 to 1905 chronicles his law career in Shanghai and his participation in post-Russo-Japanese War negotiations. "Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954," a journal/photo album of a European vacation, further documents some of Ohlinger's travels. Also included in this collection is series of papers generated and collected by various family members. The most extensive group is the papers of Ohlinger's sister, Constance Ohlinger. MSS-013, 5 linear feet.
SIGHT CENTER OF TOLEDO RECORDS, 1920-2004
Founded in 1923 as the Toledo Society for the Blind, this organization strived to improve the lives of persons with visual impairments by teaching vocational and life skills, and hosting social events. The collection includes photographs, administrative records, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks. MSS-179, 12.25 linear feet.
ELLA P. STEWART PAPERS, 1922-1987. [PDF version]
Pharmacist, civic leader of Toledo, Ohio (1893-1987).
Scrapbooks and literary productions document Stewart's activities and honors. She was active in the Berea in Korea Foundation, the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association, the Indiana Avenue Nursery, and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Subjects include child care, famous figures in African-American history, and women's social clubs. MSS-052, 2 linear feet.
See also entries under African-Americans, Civic Interests, Medicine & Health, and Women.
SUNSET HOUSE RECORDS, 1871-1988.
A home for elderly and retired women in Toledo, Ohio, 1872 to the present.
Administrative records, financial records, ephemera and memorablia, including annual reports, treasurers reports, membership and admission committee reports, a visitor's register, board minutes, correspondence, cash books, financial ledgers, accountants reports, financial statements, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, photographs, secondary and primary source histories of the institution and residents, proclamations and slides. MSS-125, 4.25 linear feet.
TOLEDO INSANE ASYLUM MAPS. [PDF version]
Insane Asylum (1888-1973).
Collection includes schematic maps from the Toledo Insane Asylum, which was designed by Edward O. Fallis and operated by Dr. Henry A. Tobey, and housed 1,800 patients, opening in 1888. The schematic drawings are from the original plans for the asylum. MSS-221, (25 linear feet).
See also entries under Architecture, Disability, and Medicine.
TOLEDO ROTARY CLUB RECORDS, 1912-1998.
Service organization of professional businessmen.
Originally formed to encourage ethical business practices, the club eventually developed a focus on helping disabled children. This collection includes administrative and committee files, correspondence, membership records, scrapbooks, and project files. MSS-145, 13.5 linear feet.
UNITED WAY OF GREATER TOLEDO COLLECTION, 1941-1983. [PDF version]
Charitable organization supporting seventy six human service agencies in Lucas, Ottawa, Wood, and eastern Fulton Counties. (1918-present).
Scrapbooks include clippings on fund drives, explanations of the work of the United Way and its agencies, and profiles of the organization's beneficiaries. Also documents many name and location changes over the years. MSS-064, 46 volumes.
BRAND WHITLOCK LETTERS, March 1915. [PDF version]
Toledo, Ohio mayor, lawyer, author, and U.S. ambassador to Belgium (1869 - 1934).
Approximately 7000 letters written by schoolchildren of Ghent, Belgium expressing thanks for American shipments of food and clothing following World War I. Primarily useful for display purposes. MSS-023, 5 linear feet (ca. 7000 items).
See also: entry under Politics and Government
ZEIGLER HABILITATION HOMES, 1960's-2005
Intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness, founded in 1979 by Charlotte Zeigler. Contains photographs of the Zeigler family, the homes and their residents, Mrs. Zeigler's obituary, and sympathy cards.. MSS-208, .75 linear feet.