The Sampson General collection is part of the Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine. It consists of collections of personal papers and archives of organizations who worked for civil rights and diversity in Maine. It includes the papers of Jean Byers Sampson, for whom the Center was named. It also contains a print collection, primarily of publications by the Sampson Center. The collection focuses on historical sources, excluding creative works of fiction or art, unless such works document civil rights and diversity in Maine. Most of the material dates from the 21st century to the present.
Collections in the Sampson General Collection
Arranged alphabetically by creator.
Morgen D’Arc Papers, 1992-2006 (SAMGEN-MS0008)
D’Arc, Morgen, (-2018)
Morgen D’Arc (-2018) was a founder of the National Women’s Caucus of the Green Party of the United States and a writer for Green Horizon’s Quarterly magazine. The papers include personal correspondence, T-shirts, photographs, campaign materials, ephemera, periodicals, and organizational records related to D’Arc’s political efforts, including her campaign for Cumberland County Register of Deeds.
3 Linear Feet + 1 Oversize Box, 71 Megabytes
Unprocessed
Institute for Practical Democracy Archives (SAMGEN-MS0007)
Institute for Practical Democracy
The Insititute for Practical Democracy (IPD) was established as a pro-active, community-building, civic leadership program for youth by the Portland Police Department, Office of Cultural Affairs. The collection consists of a report, the publication, Stories We Must Tell Ourselves, photographs of a camping trip, and the annual report of the Portland Housing Authority.
1 Box (0.25 Linear Feet)
Unprocessed
Sampson Center 10th Anniversary Collection (SAMGEN-MS0002)
Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine (University of Southern Maine)
By spring 2005, the University of Southern Maine Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine had set its mission to collect material documenting the ongoing histories of diverse communities and to advocate for diversity and civil rights through research, education, and outreach. By the 10th anniversary, the collection represented the African American, Jewish, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The University of Southern Maine’s Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine contains digital files of interviews used as background for a written history of Jean Byers Sampson and a DVD of the celebration from 2007. Other items included in the collection are a VHS tape and a CD of photographs of the Award Gala and reception.
1 Box (0.25 Linear Feet )
Unprocessed
Sampson Center for Diversity Archives, 2005-2013 (SAMGEN-MS0003)
Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine (University of Southern Maine)
By spring 2005, the University of Southern Maine Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine had set its mission to collect material documenting the ongoing histories of diverse communities and to advocate for diversity and civil rights through research, education, and outreach. The University of Southern Maine’s Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine contains materials for events and exhibitions organized or sponsored by the Sampson Center. The collection includes promotional flyers, mailings, exhibition catalogs, video biographies of Sampson Center awardees, and video recordings of Sampson Center events.
2 Boxes (0.75 Linear Feet )
Unprocessed
But Names Will Always Hurt Me Video, approximately 2000-2009 (SAMGEN-MS0006)
Maine. Department of Attorney General.
The Civil Rights Team Project was administered by the Maine Office of the Attorney General to increase the safety of elementary, middle-level, and high school students by reducing bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in schools. The collection consists of a 30-minute VHS recording entitled “But Names Will Always Hurt Me.”
1 File Folder
Unprocessed
Portland English As A Second Language Scholarship Fund Archives, approximately 2011-2014 (SAMGEN-MS0005)
Portland English As A Second Language Scholarship Fund (Me.)
The Portland English as a Second Language Scholarship Fund, now called Scholarships for Maine Immigrants, helps immigrants and refugees gain the English language and career skills necessary to achieve their educational and professional goals. The Archives contain oral histories of refugees and immigrant students who received support from the Fund, newsletters, and class resources.
2 Boxes (1 Linear Feet)
Unprocessed
Jean Byers Sampson Papers, 1939-1999 (SAMGEN-MS0001)
Sampson, Jean, 1923-1996
Jean Byers Sampson was a 1944 graduate of Smith College. The University of Southern Maine’s Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine was named in honor of her commitment. The Papers span from 1939 to 1998, with the bulk of the material dating from 1963 to 1994. They document her work for the NAACP, civil rights and liberties through the Maine Civil Liberties Union, education and academic freedom through Catalyst in Education, serving Bowdoin College and the University of Maine, and developing opportunities for minorities and women.
16 Boxes (7.75 Linear Feet) +, 1 Oversize Folder
Center for Preventing Hate Violence Archives, 1983-2011 (SAMGEN-MS0004)
University of Southern Maine. Center for the Study and Prevention of Hate Violence
The Center for Preventing Hate, originally the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, was founded in 1999 by Stephen Wessler, a former Assistant Attorney General of Maine. The Center provided school students and teachers training to recognize and prevent bias and discrimination. It also published papers based on research on related issues in Maine. The Center ceased operation in October 2011. The Archives contain operational records, conference and training materials, and program files.
50 Boxes (49.5 Linear Feet) + 1 Oversize Folders
Unprocessed