The Isaksen Papers are a small collection consisting mainly of papers documenting his public career. These papers highlight particularly his role in various civic activities, most notably the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission and Goals for Madison. The collection is divided into personal and professional papers (both subdivided alphabetically by subject), with additional separate series concerning the Equal Opportunities Commission, Goals for Madison, and the annexation of the 21st ward. Types of documentation in the collection include correspondence, notes, minutes, reports and drafts, legal papers, testimony, and financial records.
Isaksen's PERSONAL PAPERS give some insight into the man, his family, and his personal life. Included is correspondence between family members concerning the health of their father and other family events. The personal papers also contain numerous letters to and from friends and relatives who served in World War II. Material from the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity concerns fund raising and other material during the 1930's when money was scarce and fraternity chapters on many campuses were closing. Information on the founding of Christ Presbyterian Church can be found here; included is correspondence with the main governing body of the church in Chicago concerning choice of a location and the development of a congregation. Isaksen's role in the search for a minister is also documented.
The PROFESSIONAL PAPERS deal with the daily activities in his various law practices. The papers primarily consist of office correspondence, his opinions as assistant attorney general, and material concerning the Dane County Bar Association.
Within the EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION records are agenda, minutes, and reports of the commission. The commission's response to the Breese Stevens racial disturbance of 1968 is particularly well documented. The Breese Stevens incident was a series of fights and vandalism which occurred after a teen dance in this area in which racism was a motivating factor. Included are the testimonies from fact finding hearings conducted by the commission. Other reports of discrimination in housing and employment in Madison are found within this section.
The GOALS FOR MADISON papers document the study for long range planning for the future of Madison. Isaksen served as chairman of the design subcommittee, which advocated more public lakefront lands and the conversion of State Street into a pedestrian mall. Included are minutes, notes, correspondence, and report drafts.
The files on the ANNEXATION OF THE 21st WARD contain the petitions advocating annexation and documentation of the validation of signatures. Also included are affidavits and subpoenas that were filed when the matter was brought to court in 1957 to determine the proper tax collection process. These files are arranged chronologically, except that they are preceded by Isaksen's summary affidavit which explains much of the controversy surrounding the annexation.
