Title: Red Bus Corporation Records
Inclusive Dates: 1972-2010

Creator:

• Red Bus Corporation

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 309

Quantity:

• 1.8 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
• 1 oversize folder

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

Collection contains records of the Red Bus Corporation, an organization that provided chartered field trip transportation for the local elderly community through a specially built bus, from the 1970s through the early 2000s. The documents contain information on Red Bus board activities, new bus purchases, photographs, information on various outings, and the Curative Care Network's acquisition of the Red Bus in 2005.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0309

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

In 1972, Jane Brooks Holbrook conceived of the idea of a special bus, which would be able to accommodate wheelchair and ambulatory passengers, to take nursing home residents on outings and rides throughout the community. The Red Bus started operation in the fall of 1973, and in 1975 the Red Bus Corporation was created as a non-profit organization "to solidify its affiliation with the Milwaukee Foundation, and to provide new impetus, funding, and growth to the operations of the Red Bus."

The Red Bus offered outings to many places throughout Milwaukee and the surrounding area, including Cedarburg, Holy Hill, Mayfair Mall, Mitchell Park Domes, the Milwaukee County Zoo, and Summerfest. The corporation purchased a new Red Bus in 1982/1983, in 1994/1995, and again in 2003. In 2005, the Curative Care Network acquired the Red Bus.

The collection consists of blueprints of the Red Bus, board meeting minutes, brochures, booklets, correspondence, information on purchasing new red buses, Jane Holbrook's founding materials, the sale of Red Bus to the Curative Care Network, newspaper articles, The Red Bus News newsletter, and photographs.

The photographs, which date from 1980 to 1998, include images of the Red Bus and of annual meetings and board members. Photographs also document various outings over the years, including trips to nursing homes, other homes, and community centers, and visits to places such as to the fire department, Cedarburg, a llama farm in Cedar Grove, fishing trips, Lake Geneva, the Mitchell Park Domes, Boston Store, and The Elegant Farmer. Many of the photographs were used in the Red Bus newsletters.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

• Curative Care Network Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 294.

• Ranch Community Services Records. UWM Manuscript Collection 308.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

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

Curative Care Network donated the collection to the Archives in October 2011 (accession 2011-021).

Processing Information

Julie Hatfield (supervised by Christel Maass) processed the collection in March and April 2012.

Box   1 Folder   1	Art Work (Logos), Bus Stamp, Photocopy of Wood Plaque, 1990-2000
Oversize Folder   1	Blueprints of Red Bus, 1972-1985
Box   1 Folder   2	Blueprints of Red Bus, Bid Information, 1972-1974
	Board Meetings
Box   1 Folder   3	1974-1975, 1978-1981
Box   1 Folder   4-5	1985-1990
Box   1 Folder   6-11	1992-2004
Box   1 Folder   12	Booklet, Application for the 1999 Urban Mass Transportation Section 5310 Program, 1998
Box   1 Folder   13	Booklet, 30 Years of Service, 1974-2004
Box   1 Folder   14	Brochures, 1980-2006
Box   1 Folder   15	Contributors to Red Bus, 1978-1999
Box   1 Folder   16	Correspondence, 1973-1998
Box   1 Folder   17-19	Curative Care Network, Red Bus Acquisition, 2004-2008
Box   1 Folder   20	Drivers' Forms and Safety Requirements, 1988-1990
Box   1 Folder   21	Friends of the Red Bus, Annual Meetings, 1977-1982
	Holbrook, Jane B., Founding Materials of the Red Bus/Wheels for Seniors
Box   1 Folder   22	1972-1976
Box   3 Folder   1	1973-1974
Box   1 Folder   23	Mailing Lists, 1979-1984
Box   1 Folder   24	Newsletters, The Red Bus News, 1975-2006
Box   1 Folder   25	Newspaper Articles, 1975-2004
Box   1 Folder   26	Nursing Home Meeting Notices and Lists of Nursing Homes, 1975-1981
	Photographs
Box   1 Folder   27	Annual Meetings and M & I Board, 1980-1995
Box   1 Folder   28	Bus, 1980-1996
Box   1 Folder   29-30	Outings, 1980-1998
	Purchase of Red Bus
Box   1 Folder   31	1982-1984
Box   1 Folder   32	1990
Box   2 Folder   1	1994-1995
Box   2 Folder   2-3	Sale of Red Bus, 2009-2010
Box   2 Folder   4	Strategic Plans, 2001-2003
Box   2 Folder   5	Wheels for Seniors and Handicabs, Contracts, and Follow-up, 1973-1975