Title: Physicians for Social Responsibility, La Crosse Area Chapter Records
Date: 1980-2001

Creator:

• Physicians for Social Responsibility (U.S.). La Crosse Area Chapter (Wis.).

Unique Identifier: MSS 065

Quantity: 1.6 cubic feet

Physical Description: 4 archives boxes

Repository:

La Crosse Public Library
Contact Information

Archival Location:

La Crosse Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

Organized in April 1982, the La Crosse area chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) was comprised of a group of physicians dedicated to the antinuclear movement and nuclear disarmament. This non-profit organization sponsored numerous special programs including the Festival of Lanterns, and they helped fund the International Peace Lantern Exchange Project, modeled on the Festival of Lanterns. With the end of the Cold War in 1992, the local group continued in a dormant stage, finally disbanding in 1995. Records from the Physicians for Social Responsibility date from 1980-2001, with the bulk of the records dating from 1980-1992. They include historical materials, administrative files, financial materials, membership materials, programs and events. Materials from the Wisconsin Physicians for Social Responsibility, National Physicians for Social Responsibility and related organizations are also included.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.lcpl-mss065

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(Accession nos. 2001.001, 2001.018, 2001.036) Donated by Dr. Robert W. Ramlow, January 2000; Dr. William A. Morgan, May 2001, September 2001

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

[Identification of item], Physicians for Social Responsibility, La Crosse Area Chapter Records, MSS 065, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

Processed by Christine Stolz with assistance from Jessica Nordstrom, Dec. 2001.

Arranged in eight series:

Series 1: Historical Materials

Series 2: Administrative Materials

Series 3: Financial Materials

Series 4: Membership

Series 5: Programs and Events

Series 6: Wisconsin Physicians for Social Responsibility

Series 7: National Physicians for Social Responsibility

Series 8: Related Organizations

Records from the Physicians for Social Responsibility date from 1980-2001, with the bulk of the records dating from 1980-1992. They include historical materials, administrative files, financial materials, membership materials, programs and events. Materials from the Wisconsin Physicians for Social Responsibility, National Physicians for Social Responsibility and related organizations are also included.

Physicians for Social Responsibility is a professional organization of doctors committed to professional and public education on the dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. The national organization, formed in 1961, oversees state and local chapters throughout the country.

La Crosse area physicians met on April 28, 1982, to form a local chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. Thirteen doctors signed a formal petition for membership status; they were: Dr. Dean E. Whiteway, Dr. Charles A. Rodman, Dr. Allen G. Brailey, Dr. Robert W. Ramlow, Dr. William B. Gallagher, Dr. Stephen E. Kraft, Dr. Robert Miller, Dr. William Agger, Dr. Cameron F. Roberts, Dr. Robert Whiteway, Dr. Rudolph M. Keimowitz, Dr. Richard M. Feddersen, and Dr. William A. Morgan. Two other doctors, Dr. Michael E. Nesemann and Dr. Michael H. Mader, were members but did not sign the petition due to an oversight. PSR/La Crosse was accepted for chapter status on July 26, 1982.

PSR/La Crosse sponsored numerous programs to educate the community on the dangers of nuclear war. Speakers came to present information to PSR/La Crosse. Members of the organization often spoke to groups in the community. Film screenings and discussions frequently took place.

The most well known program sponsored by PSR/La Crosse was the Festival of Lanterns that served as a memorial to those who suffered and died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first lantern floating ceremony, headed by Dr. Cameron Gundersen, took place on Saturday, August 3, 1985, at Riverside Park in La Crosse. The event continued on an annual basis until 1993, but on a smaller scale.

The International Peace Lantern Exchange Project (IPLEP), also sponsored by PSR/La Crosse, was originated by Jim and Peggy Baumgartner and modeled on the Festival of Lanterns. Peace lanterns made by children in one country were exchanged with peace lanterns made by children in another country. Lantern floats then took place the first Saturday in August. The first IPLEP lantern float took place on August 2, 1986. Some countries that participated in lantern floats included the Soviet Union, China, England, Japan, and Germany. The last local IPLEP lantern float may have been in 1991.

By March 1992, with the end of the Cold War, PSR/La Crosse began to explore whether or not they could focus on other areas of concern. PSR/La Crosse continued in a dormant state in order to preserve the possibility of funding other lantern floating festivals. The chapter formally disbanded on April 20, 1995.

(Clipping file)

La Crosse--Organizations--Physicians for Social Responsibility

• Morgan, William A., Dr.
• Physicians for Social Responsibility (U.S.). La Crosse Area Chapter (Wis.).
• Physicians for Social Responsibility (U.S.). Wisconsin Chapter.
• Physicians for Social Responsibility (U.S.).
• Ramlow, Robert W., Dr,
• Antinuclear movement--Wisconsin--La Crosse
• La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
• Nuclear disarmament--Wisconsin--La Crosse
• Physicians--Political activity--Wisconsin--La Crosse

(Series 1)	Series: Historical Materials
Box 1   Folder 1	Historical background and ephemera, 1980-1987
Box 1   Folder 2	Newsletters, 1982-1992
	Newspaper clippings
Box 1   Folder 3	, 1982-1983
Box 1   Folder 4	, 1984-1985
Box 1   Folder 5	, 1986-1991
Box 1   Folder 6	Press releases, 1982-1988
(Series 2)	Series: Administrative Materials	⇧
Box 1   Folder 7	Chapter formation, 1982
Box 1   Folder 8	Chapter program report, 1990-1992
Box 1   Folder 9	Constitution and by-laws, 1985
	Correspondence
Box 1   Folder 10	Mader, Dr. Michael, 1984-1989
Box 1   Folder 11	Morgan, Dr. William, 1982-1992, 2001
Box 1   Folder 12	Other correspondence, 1982-1992
Box 1   Folder 13	Fundraising, 1984-1985
Box 1   Folder 14	Liability insurance, 1987-1994
Box 1   Folder 15	Liability resources, 1982, 2000
Box 1   Folder 16	Meeting minutes, 1982-1989
Box 1   Folder 17	Meeting with Steve Gunderson of the 3rd Congressional District of Wisconsin, 1987
Box 1   Folder 18	Publicity, 1982-1985
Box 1   Folder 19	State Medical Society of Wisconsin, 1982-1985
	Steering Committee
Box 2   Folder 1	Agendas and minutes, 1982-1995
Box 2   Folder 2	Correspondence, 1983-1990
(Series 3)	Series: Financial Materials	⇧
Box 2   Folder 3	Cashbook, 1986-1995
Box 2   Folder 4	Checkbook registers, 1982-1995
Box 2   Folder 5	Correspondence, 1987-1995
Box 2   Folder 6	Financial reports, 1982-1994
Box 2   Folder 7	Quarterly financial reports to national PSR, 1982-1995
Box 2   Folder 8	Sellers permit, 1986-1993
Box 2   Folder 9	Tax exempt status, 1981-1986
(Series 4)	Series: Membership	⇧
Box 2   Folder 10	Membership drives, 1982-1989
Box 2   Folder 11	Membership lists, 1982-1992
(Series 5)	Series: Programs and Events	⇧
Box 2   Folder 12	Anderson, Dr. J. Edward, 1983-1984
Box 2   Folder 13	Civil Defense meeting, 1980-1983
Box 2   Folder 14	Conferences attended by PSR members, 1982-1983
Box 3   Folder 1	Evans, Dr. Joseph, 1983-1985
	Festival of Lanterns
Box 3   Folder 2	, 1984-1985
Box 3   Folder 3	, 1986-1988
Box 3   Folder 4	, 1989-1992
Box 3   Folder 5	International Peace Lantern Exchange Project, 1985-1991
	Other programs and events
Box 3   Folder 6	, 1982-1983
Box 3   Folder 7	, 1984
Box 3   Folder 8	, 1985-1986
Box 3   Folder 9	, 1987-1992
Box 3   Folder 10	Soviet-American Physicians Campaign, 1987
(Series 6)	Series: Wisconsin Physicians for Social Responsibility	⇧
Box 4   Folder 1	Correspondence, 1982-1991
Box 4   Folder 2	Minutes, 1984-1988
Box 4   Folder 3	Newspaper clippings, 1984 June
Box 4   Folder 4	Newsletters, 1984-1990
(Series 7)	Series: National Physicians for Social Responsibility	⇧
Box 4   Folder 5	Accomplishments and priorities, 1989-1992
Box 4   Folder 6	Annual report, 1982-1990
Box 4   Folder 7	Bibliography of materials, undated
Box 4   Folder 8	Board of directors, 1983-1989
Box 4   Folder 9	Brochures, 1983-1990
Box 4   Folder 10	By-laws, 1981
Box 4   Folder 11	Chapter mailings, 1982-1992
Box 4   Folder 12	Director's report, 1983 December
Box 4   Folder 13	Minutes and meeting information, 1986-1990
Box 4   Folder 14	Newsletters, 1982-1991
Box 4   Folder 15	Newspaper and magazine clippings, 1982-1983
(Series 8)	Series: Related Organizations	⇧
Box 4   Folder 16	International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War, 1981-1991
Box 4   Folder 17	Other related organizations, 1982-1990