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Lorraine Passovoy papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Lorraine Passovoy papers
Identifier
BMRC.DUSABLE.PASSOVOY
Repository
DuSable Museum of African American History
Language
English
Size
10.0 Linear feet
Predominant Dates
Bulk, 1974-1984
Dates
1963-1989, bulk 1974-1984
Abstract
Lorraine Passovoy (1919-1990) was an author and researcher whose work focused on Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the founder of Chicago. The Lorraine Passovoy papers spans from 1963-1989, with the bulk of material from 1974-1984. The papers reflect Passovoy’s extensive research and writing about the life of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Her drafts, manuscripts, and collected research material make up the majority of the collection. Personal and professional correspondence, medical and financial documents, newspaper clippings, and personal material are included in the collection.
Language of Materials note
Materials entirely in English.

Biographical Note

Lorraine Passovoy (1919-1990) was an author and researcher whose work focused on Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the founder of Chicago. Her published works include The Mysterious Coat Button (Perdam Press, Urbana, IL, 1979), Point Sable and Chicago, 1778-1780 (L. Passovoy, 1982), and The Black Root (1983). She frequently collaborated with Virginia Julien, a Jean Baptiste Point DuSable scholar. During the late 1960s, Passovoy published a series of historical essays under the pseudonym Altai Margit in Hyde Park-Kenwood Voices, a monthly neighborhood newspaper. From 1968 to 1973, Passovoy served on Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Committee for a Point Sable Monument. The committee was responsible for the relocation of the DuSable Museum of African American History to the Washington Park Field House in Hyde Park. Passovoy lived in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago and Champaign, Illinois. She was a member of the Northern Illinois Unit of the Herb Society of America.

Arrangement note

The Lorraine Passovoy papers are It is arranged into three series, two of which have been further arranged in subseries. The series and subseries arrangment of the papers is as follows:

Series 1, Lorraine Passovoy writings,1908, 2982, undated.

Series 2, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Research,1964-1987 Subseries 1, Research files, 1964-1986 Subseries 2, Literary correspondence, 1968-1987 Subseries 3, Note cards, undated

Series 3, Personal Material, 1963-1989 Subseries 1, Personal correspondence, 1970-1989 Subseries 2, Medical and financial document, 1971-1989 (BULK, 1987-1989) Subseries 3, Herb Society of American, 1963-1989 (Bulk, 1986-1989) Subseries 4, Personal items, undated Subseries 5, Newspaper clippings, 1968-1969

Scope and Contents note

The Lorraine Passovoy papers spans from 1963 to 1989 with the bulk of material from 1974-1984. The papers reflect Passovoy’s extensive research and writing about the life of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the founder of Chicago. Her drafts, manuscripts, and collected research material make up the majority of the collection. Other material in the papers include personal and professional correspondence, medical and financial documents, documents pertaining to the Herb Society of America, newspaper clippings, and personal items. Of note in this collection is a complete manuscript of “Black Chief,” an unpublished historically documented narrative of DuSable’s life.

Conditions Governing Access note

Access to the archival collections housed at the DuSable Museum is restricted; please contact the museum archivist at 773-947-0600 for more information. 2015 October 5 CAB

Processing Information note

Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processors: T.J. Szafranski and Elise Zerega.

Preferred Citation note

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Lorraine Passovoy papers, [Box #, Folder #], DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, Illinois

Indexed Terms

Inventory

Series I: Lorraine Passovoy writings,
1980, 1982, undated
Scope and Contents note

The Lorraine Passovoy writings series contains manuscripts and drafts of Passovoy’s published and unpublished works, the majority of which focus on Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Notable writings include “Black Chief,” an unpublished historical narrative about DuSable, “The Point Sable Documents,” which was the basis for Black Root, The Mysterious Coat Button, a children’s book about DuSable, and “Point DuSable Documents,” a bibliographic list of primary sources regarding DuSable.

Box 1
Folder 1
Title
Letter to Scott Meredith Literary Agency,
Dates
1980
Box 1
Folder 2-9
Title
Black Chief manuscript,
Dates
1980
Box 2
Folder 10-17
Title
Black Chief manuscript,
Dates
1980
Box 3
Folder 18-36
Title
Black Chief draft,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Folder 37-57
Title
Black Chief draft,
Dates
undated
Box 5
Folder 58-70
Title
Black Chief draft,
Dates
undated
Box 6
Folder 71-82+
Title
Black Chief draft,
Dates
undated
Box 7
Folder 83- 103 The Point Sable Documents
Title
The Point Sable documents,
Dates
undated
Box 8
Folder 104-108
Title
The Point Sable documents,
Dates
undated
Box 8
Folder 109
Title
The Black Root,
Dates
1983
Box 16
Title
The Black Root (oversized),
Dates
1983
Box 8
Folder 110
Title
Bibliography on Jean Baptiste Point DuSable,
Dates
undated
Box 9
Folder 111-112
Title
Point Sable and Chicago 1778-1780,
Dates
1982
Box 9
Folder 113-118
Title
The Mysterious Coat Button,
Dates
undated
Box 9
Folder 119-120
Title
The DuSable Lost and Found,
Dates
undated
Box 9
Folder 121
Title
Jeannot,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 122
Title
A Point on the Compass Marked Liberty,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 123
Title
John Jones, The Tailor Who Altered History,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 124
Title
Looking for the People Who Remember,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 125
Title
What’s Going on Here,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 126
Title
From Every Man to His Fellow,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 127
Title
It’s a Wise Town that Knows Its Own Father,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Folder 128-138
Title
Unidentified drafts,
Dates
undated
Series II: Jean Baptiste Point DuSable research,
1964-1987
Arrangement note

The Jean Baptiste Point DuSable research series is arranged into three subseries, 1. Research files. 2. Literary correspondence. 3. Note cards.

Scope and Contents note

The Jean Baptiste Point DuSable research series is comprised of material gathered by Passovoy while she researched and wrote about Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. It includes copies and transcriptions of primary documents, and correspondence with archives, libraries, historical societies, and publishing agencies.

Subseries 1: Research files,
1964-1986
Scope and Contents note

The Research files subseries contains the material collected by Passovoy while she studied and wrote about Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. The subseries is primarily comprised of photocopies and transcribed notes from archives, libraries, and historical societies, along with correspondence between Passovoy and these institutions. The subseries also includes a signed copy of “DuSable, The Black Chief,” a play by Useni Eugene Perkins that was put on at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

Box 11
Folder 139-173
Title
Correspondence,
Dates
1964-1986
Box 11
Folder 174-181
Title
Research and correspondence,
Dates
1964-1986
Box 12
Folder 182-201
Title
Research and correspondence,
Dates
1968-1986
Box 13
Folder 202-237
Title
Research,
Dates
undated
Box 14
Folder 238-257
Title
Research,
Dates
undated
Box 15
Folder 258-276
Title
Research,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Folder 277- 278
Title
Research (oversized),
Dates
undated
Box 16
Folder 279
Title
Research (oversized binder),
Dates
undated
Box 17
Folder 280-286
Title
Research,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Folder 287
Title
“DuSable, The Black Chief” by Useni Eugene Perkins,
Dates
1984
Box 17
Folder 288
Title
Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Committee for a Point Sable Monument,
Dates
1968
Box 17
Folder 289
Title
Flexidisc: “Songs and Chats,” and Unidentified Cassette,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Folder 290
Title
Microfilm,
Dates
undated
Subseries 2: Literary correspondence,
1968-1987
Arrangement note

The Literary correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents note

The Literary correspondence subseries contains correspondence related to Passovoy’s efforts to publish her writings. It includes correspondence with Virginia Julien, publishers, and literary agencies.

Box 18
Folder 291
Title
Miscellaneous,
Dates
1968-1970
Box 18
Folder 292
Title
Roy Porter,
Dates
1969-1980
Box 18
Folder 293
Title
Virginia Julien,
Dates
1971-1984
Box 18
Folder 294
Title
Authors Guild,
Dates
1975
Box 18
Folder 295
Title
Negro History Bulletin,
Dates
1976
Box 18
Folder 296
Title
NBC,
Dates
1976
Box 18
Folder 297
Title
Journal of Negro History,
Dates
1976-1978
Box 18
Folder 298
Title
Miscellaneous,
Dates
1977
Box 18
Folder 299
Title
Scott Meredith Literary Agency,
Dates
1981
Box 18
Folder 300
Title
New York Public Library,
Dates
1981
Box 18
Folder 301
Title
Greenwood Press,
Dates
1984
Box 18
Folder 302
Title
The International Black Heritage Collection,
Dates
1984
Box 18
Folder 303
Title
Checagou Du Sable Fort Dearborn Historical Commission, Inc.,
Dates
1985
Box 18
Folder 304
Title
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency,
Dates
1985
Box 18
Folder 305
Title
American Visions,
Dates
1987
Box 18
Folder 306
Title
Smithsonian,
Dates
1987
Box 18
Folder 307
Title
W.W. Norton & Co.,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Folder 308
Title
Chicago Magazine,
Dates
undated
Subseries 3: Note cards,
undated
Scope and Contents note

The Note cards subseries contains three boxes of note cards compiled by Passovoy during her research. The note cards are housed in their original containers. Note: Box 27 contains note cards that were found after the collection was processed.

Box 19
Title
Note cards,
Dates
undated
Box 20
Title
Note cards,
Dates
undated
Box 21
Title
Note cards,
Dates
undated
Box 27
Title
Note cards,
Dates
undated
Series III: Personal material,
1963-1989
Arrangement note

The Personal material series is arranged into five subseries: 1. Personal Correspondence, 1970-1989. 2. Medical and Financial Documents, 1971-1989 (Bulk, 1987-1989). 3. Herb Society of America, 1963-1989 (Bulk, 1986-1989). 4. Personal Items,undated. 5. Newspaper clippings, 1968-1969.

Scope and Contents note

The Personal material series contains material that is not directly associated with Passovoy’s research on Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.

Subseries 1: Personal correspondence,
1970-1989
Arrangement note

The Personal correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically.

Scope and Contents note

The Personal correspondence subseries contains Passovoy’s personal correspondence, the majority of which is with her sister, Louise.

Box 22
Folder 309
Title
Personal correspondence,
Dates
1970, 1978
Box 22
Folder 310
Title
Personal correspondence,
Dates
1983
Box 22
Folder 311
Title
Personal correspondence,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 22
Folder 312
Title
Personal correspondence,
Dates
1989
Box 22
Folder 313
Title
Personal correspondence,
Dates
undated
Subseries 2: Medical and financial documents,
Bulk, 1987-1989
1971-1989
Scope and Contents note

The Medical and financial documents subseries contains medical and financial documents from the late 1980s, when Passovoy’s health was in decline. There are also two journal articles, a newspaper clipping, and a letter relating to the Passovoy Defect, a blood disorder named after Passovoy’s niece, Carey.

Box 22
Folder 314-338
Title
Medical and financial documents,
Dates
1987-1989
Box 23
Folder 339-353
Title
Medical and financial documents,
Dates
1971-1989
Subseries 3: Herb Society of America,
Bulk, 1986-1989
1963-1989
Scope and Contents note

The Herb Society of America subseries contains material related to Passovoy’s involvement in the Northern Illinois Unit of the Herb Society of America. It includes meeting minutes, member lists, newsletters, and drafts of a book that the Society was writing.

Box 23
Folder 354-360
Title
Herb Society of America,
Dates
1963-1989
Box 24
Folder 361-362
Title
Herb Society of America,
Dates
1986-1989
Box 24
Folder 363
Title
Herb Society of America binder,
Dates
circa 1986
Subseries 4: Personal items,
undated
Scope and Contents note

The Personal items subseries includes publications, notebooks, and other material collected by Passovoy.

Box 24
Folder 364-366
Title
Personal items,
Dates
undated
Box 25
Folder 367-373
Title
Personal items,
Dates
undated
Subseries 5: Newspaper clippings,
1968-1969
Scope and Contents note

The Newspaper clippings subseries includes copies of Hyde Park-Kenwood Voices, a neighborhood newspaper, that Passovoy published a series of articles in under the pseudonym Altai Margit during the late 1960s.

Box 26
Title
Hyde Park-Kenwood Voices,
Dates
1968-1969