Archives Held by the Museum

Wilmette Human Relations Committee and Addenda

A forerunner to this organization was the North Shore Citizen's Committee, founded in 1946 to "expose openly and combat prejudice...to recognize and defend the rights of every individual regardless of position, race, national heritage, or creed." In September, 1957, the name was changed to North Shore Human Relations Committee, and in in 1963, the Wilmette Human Relations Committee was formed.

Founded by a group of 84 citizens, the Committee's goal was to foster better understanding between different religious and ethnic groups in Wilmette, and within a decade, membership had risen 1,500. The Committee's long list of accomplishments includes the adoption of the Fair Housing Ordinance by the Village in 1968; educational programs in schools and the community; financial support of Gates House, a teen drop-in center; interfaith suppers and discussions; exploration of senior housing issues; and assisting in the launch of the Open Door Child Care Center.

Box #1

• History, 1967-1971
• Incorporation, 1963; bylaws, 1967
• Annual reports, 1966-1969, 1973-1974
• Minutes, 1972-1973
• Executive Board minutes, 1966-1970
• Executive Board, 1970-1972
• Membership Committee, 1971
• Membership lists, 1968-1973
• Interfaith, 1967-1971
• Correspondence, 1963-1966
• Correspondence, 1967
• Correspondence, 1968
• Correspondence, 1969
• Correspondence, 1970
• Correspondence, 1971
• Correspondence, 1972

Box #2

• Correspondence, 1972
• Programs: idea file, 1965-1968
• Fair Housing Ordinance, 1967-1968
• Gates House, 1969-1971
• Dr. Bickman book, 1971
• Bickman proposal, 1970
• Contact Buyers League, 1968-1970
• Education, 1967-1970
• Public issues, 1970-1971
• Public relations, data for newsletters, 1964-1974; brochures, 1973 & n.d.
• Newsletters, 1971-1972
• Clippings, 1965-1968, 1971-1972
• Reference Miller personal, 1963-1967
• Miller personal, 1970s

Box #3

• Miller notes, materials, 1960s
• Kent State data, 1970
• Miscellaneous, 1966-1968
• Police/community relations, 1966-1971
• Alliance to End Repression, Chicago, 1971
• Films and pamphlets, 1960s
• Chicago Opportunities Industrial Center [OIC], 1970
• IL Human Relations Commission, 1967-1970

Box #4

• Minutes, 1955-1957
• Newsletters, 1955-1957
• Correspondence, rosters, 1955-1957
• Minutes, 1957-1960
• Newsletters, 1957-1960
• Rosters, publications, 1957-1960
• Correspondence, 1957-1960
• Scrapbook, 1963-1964
• Scrapbook, 1964-1965
• Clippings, 1955-1965