Title: Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance Records
Inclusive Dates: 1937–1986

Creator:

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance (Wis.)

Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 401

Quantity: 0.2 cubic ft. (1 box)

Repository:

Milwaukee Public Library, Frank P. Zeidler Room

Archival Location:

Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Civil Alliance (MMCA) was formed in 1924. It was a coalition of twenty-two service organizations. Their goal was to facilitate the discussion and resolution of community issues.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0401

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The Milwaukee Civic Alliance was organized in 1924 as an alliance of Milwaukee-area civic clubs with three stated goals: 1) to study matters of community interest or concern and to encourage the study of said matters; 2) to encourage action on the part of component member organizations to address matters of community interest or concern; and 3) to advance the interests of component organizations. The original Alliance was composed of four local clubs and counted roughly 350 members; by the early 1960s, over 30 clubs joined the Alliance and its membership numbered around 3,000. The Alliance’s activities centered around civic affairs and good citizenship rather than political or business interests.

Member clubs in the Civic Alliance included chapters of Altrusa, the City Club, Civitan, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Milwaukee Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club, Rotary and the Sertoma Club. Each member club in the Alliance was represented by its president, secretary, vice president and two delegates. At the beginning of each year, the member clubs reported what civic projects should be the focus of the Alliance for that year. In addition to monthly meetings, two joint meetings were held each year for the overall membership of all of the clubs.

Notable projects that the Milwaukee Civic Alliance promoted including the “Health and Welfare Survey” of the city (which grew out of a 1947 program on “Youth Guidance for the Prevention of Delinquency”); securing daylight saving time for Milwaukee; organization of the City Charter League; leadership in local celebrations such as Milwaukee’s 80th anniversary; the steering committee which resulted in the Metropolitan Milwaukee War Memorial Corporation; promotion of the Greater Milwaukee Committee; and the relocation and building of a Juvenile Court.

The Milwaukee Civic Alliance changed its name to the Metropolitan Civic Alliance around 1960. In 1969 the Alliance filed papers to be officially incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under the Wisconsin Nonstock Corporation Law. The Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance dissolved in 2013.

The collection consists mainly of membership rosters, speeches and reports, radio broadcast scripts, and organizational by-laws and regulations. Other items in the collection include information sheets on the Alliance and miscellaneous correspondence. The collection is mainly distributed throughout the 1937–1969 time period.

The subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder.

Metropolitan Milwaukee Civic Alliance Records, 1937-1986, Collection 401. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

• Lakefront Planning Committee Records. Local History Manuscript Collection 384.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

No acquisition information is currently available. The materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.

Processing Information

Inventory by Kadie Seitz, Fieldworker, 2014. Processed by Casey Lapworth, 2019.

Box   1 Folder   1	By Laws and Constitution, 1937-1967, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Committee on Youth and Crime, 1965, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Correspondence, 1947-1961
Box   1 Folder   4	History, 1960-1968
Box   1 Folder   5	Member Roster, 1947-1968, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	Miscellaneous, 1961, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Radio Broadcast Scripts and Speeches, 1947, undated
Box   1 Folder   8	Reports, 1954-1969
Box   1 Folder   9	Special Service Awards, 1986