Title: La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc. Records
Date: 1982-2007

Creator:

• La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc.

Unique Identifier: MSS 064

Quantity: 2.8 cubic feet

Physical Description: 6 archives boxes, 1 flat box

Repository:

La Crosse Public Library
Contact Information

Abstract:

Records of the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc., Sister City program which document humanitarian, educational, cultural, economic, and other ties between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its sister city Dubna, Russia, located near Moscow. Records include history materials made up of an essay entitled “Reflections on a Sister-City Odyssey: La Crosse and Dubna” by Charles E. Hanson (2001), newspaper articles and clippings (1992-2004), materials on David Bell (1990-2003), and a book about Dubna written in Russian. Administrative materials include board of director minutes (2005), board and membership lists (1993- ), board meeting minutes and annual reports (1992-1996), correspondence (2004), financial reports (1994-1995), press releases and protocols (1991-1994), and newsletters (1990-1997). Programs include information on founding a Business College (1991-1992), Hands Across the Heartlands (1993-1995), Health partnerships (1992-2002), Municipal exchanges, Teacher exchanges, Veterans exchanges, and Russia Week (1996). Youth programs/exchanges include materials on Pioneer Camp (1991), Student exchange programs (1992-1994), and a thematic exchange called “Ecology of Big Waters” (1993-1994). Memorabilia includes a commemorative plate from Dubna, a decorative painted spoon, and a USAID Volunteer Award.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.lcpl-mss064

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47706644

(Accession nos. 1997.019, 1999.002, 1999.029) Donated by Karen Hoel, La Crosse/Dubna Friendship Assoc., 1997-1999.

(Accession no. 2001.043) Donated by Bob Daley, La Crosse Rotary Club, 2001.

(Accession no. 2002.023) Donated by Karen Hoel, La Crosse Dubna Friendship Assoc., July 2002.

(Accession no. 2012.047) Donated by Maureen Jameson, La Crosse Dubna Friendship Assoc., September 2012.

Materials in this collection are available for patron use.

[Identification of item], La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc. Records, MSS 064, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI

Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, July 2000. Additions processed by Christine Stolz, Apr. 2005, and Benjamin Lang, November, 2012.

Arranged in five series:

Series 1: History

Series 2: Administrative Materials

Series 3: Programs

Series 4: Youth Programs and Exchanges

Series 5: Memorabilia

Records of the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association’s Sister City program which document humanitarian, educational, cultural, economic, and other ties between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its sister city Dubna, Russia, located near Moscow. Records are divided into five series: History, Administrative materials, Programs, Youth Programs/Exchanges, and Memorabilia.

The concept behind a sister city relationship is to bring people together from different countries in an effort to build bridges of understanding and goodwill. The relationship between Dubna, Russia, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, began in the 1980s when Dr. James Baumgaertner, a La Crosse dermatologist, worked as a peace activist with Dave Bell, a Dubna resident and American expatriate.

Dubna is a city built in 1954 as the home for the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. This facility developed the Soviet’s first nuclear weapons. In 1980, the city had 60,000 people, and it is located about 65 miles north of Moscow.

Lawyer Charles Hanson, president of the La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association, headed the first 20-member delegation to Dubna from La Crosse. Documents were signed in a public ceremony La Crosse on Aug. 5, 1990, although the La Crosse Common Council officially designated Dubna as a sister city on Dec. 8, 1988.

Over time, many people have been involved in various contingents and delegations. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse have both been very involved in exchange of information and cultural activities.

Two humanitarian efforts undertaken by the La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association include Hands Across the Heartlands I and II. This was an area wide food, clothing and medical supplies drive, and items were donated and sent to Dubna. Dubna was experiencing a particularly severe winter. Two separate drives occurred; the first in 1992 was airlifted to Dubna and accompanied by a 16-member delegation; the second in 1993 was sent by sea.

Other efforts have involved student exchange programs in 2002 and 2004. The Association continues its efforts today to strengthen the ties between La Crosse and Dubna.

• La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc.
• Dubna (Russia)--Social life and customs
• La Crosse (Wis.)--Social life and customs
• La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
• Sister cities--Russia--Dubna
• Sister cities--Wisconsin--La Crosse

(Series 1)	Series: History
Box 6   Folder 4	Bell, David, 1990-2003
Box 1   Folder 3	Book about Dubna presented by Mayor V. E. Prokh, undated Language: In Russian
Box 6   Folder 7	Clippings, 1992-1993
Box 1   Folder 2	Newspaper articles, 2000-2004
Box 6   Folder 6	Overview of organization as remembered by Charles Hanson, First president of LDFA, 2001
Box 6   Folder 9	Project overviews, undated
Box 1   Folder 1	Reflections on a Sister-City Odyssey: La Crosse and Dubna by Charles E. Hanson, 2001
Box 6   Folder 3	Reminiscences, clippings, and studies, 1982-2001
Box 6   Folder 8	State and US National Sister City Partnerships, 1992-1994
Box 6   Folder 5	Worrier of the Day booklet from first sister city delegation to Dubna, 1990
(Series 2)	Series: Administrative Materials	⇧
Box 1   Folder 4	Board of Directors meeting minutes, 2005
Box 6   Folder 12	Board and membership lists, 1993
Box 7   Folder 3	Board meeting minutes and annual reports, 1992-1996
Box 1   Folder 5	Correspondence, 2004
Box 6   Folder 11	Financial reports, 1994-1995
Box 7   Folder 1	Media press releases and protocols, 1991-1994
Box 1   Folder 6	Newsletters, 1990-1997
Box 7   Folder 2	Official documents and bylaws, 1990-1996
Box 6   Folder 10	Tax exemption status, 1993-1994
(Series 3)	Series: Programs	⇧
Box 3   Folder 6	Business College, 1991-1992
Box 3   Folder 7	Hands Across the Heartlands, 1992-1995
	Hands Across the Heartlands I
Box 2   Folder 1	Background, 1992
Box 2   Folder 2	Diplomatic, 1992
Box 2   Folder 3	Hands Across the Heartlands II, 1993
Box 3   Folder 4	Health partnership, 1992-2002
Box 3   Folder 5	Media exchange, 1990-1992
Box 1   Folder 9	Medical, 1991-1994
Box 1   Folder 5	Municipal Delegation Exchange, 1993-1994
Box 3   Folder 8	Other projects, 1994-1996
Box 1   Folder 10	Teacher exchange, 1992-1994
	Russia Week, 1996
Box 2   Folder 8	Budget
Box 2   Folder 12	Correspondence
Box 2   Folder 5	Events
Box 2   Folder 9	Expenses
Box 2   Folder 10	Local arrangements
Box 2   Folder 13	Meeting notes, participants, publicity
Box 2   Folder 6	Proposal
Box 2   Folder 7	Proposed activities
Box 2   Folder 4	Russian visitors folder
Box 2   Folder 11	UW-L arrangements
Box 3   Folder 9	Veterans exchange, 1994-1995
(Series 4)	Series: Youth Programs and Exchanges	⇧
Box 3   Folder 3	"Ecology of Big Waters" thematic exchange, 1993-1994
Box 3   Folder 2	Exchange program, 1992-1994
Box 1   Folder 12	Pen Pal guide
Box 3   Folder 1	Pioneer Camp, 1991
Box 1   Folder 11	Scouts, 1992
Box 1   Folder 7	Student Exchange booklet Language: In Russian
Box 1   Folder 8	Student Exchange grant proposal, 1992-1995
Box 1   Folder 6 Box 1   Folder 13 Box 5 Box 6   Folder 1-2	Student exchange materials, 1991-2005
(Series 5)	Series: Memorabilia	⇧
Box 4	Commemorative plate
Box 4	Painted spoon
Box 7   Folder 4	US AID volunteer award, 2007