The collection is composed of Wasielewski's correspondence files, political speeches, campaign brochures, newspaper clippings, and other political and personal papers. There is also a folder of biographical material, which includes several very complete biographical sketches of Wasielewski, with a history of his parents and grandparents, and a single sheet of data regarding Mrs. StephanieWasielewski.
Wasielewski's correspondence is most complete for the years when he was in Congress. There is some political correspondence, as well as a separate folder of letters to and from the White House. Major correspondents include Wasielewski's mother, Felicia, who remained in Milwaukee during his three terms in Congress, and his brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Regina Wasielewski. These letters and others to relatives and friends, present a good picture of the Wasielewskis' family life and social activities in Washington, the births of their first three children, and family relationships and contacts, with some references to Congressional business. Wasielewski also wrote many letters to men serving in the military during World War II, especially to friends and acquaintances, and to men from the Milwaukee area. Other correspondence includes letters from constituents.
Political papers in the collection consist of copies of campaign and general speeches, delivered by Wasielewski and by his supporters, with scattered press releases and radio talk show scripts included. Materials are in both English and Polish. Some of the speeches, like some correspondence, show fire and water damage from a fire in Wasielewski's Milwaukee office. A file of general political papers contains lists of supporters and poll lists (1938 and 1940), statements of receipts and expenditures from the 1942 campaign and from the 1944 contested election law suit brought by John C. Schafer, a copy of the Congressional Record recording debates on Polish Constitution Day, 1944, and a few other items. An extensive file of microfilmed newspaper clippings spans 1938-1950, and illustrates Wasielewski's actions in Congress, the campaigns and elections, and his speeches and talks. Clippings from the Congressional Record provide coverage of the Congressman's speeches, questions, and legislation introduced. A few personal and family clippings are included, as are several clippings regarding the Polish Relief Fund Committee of Milwaukee, and the Polish-American National Bar Association and Woodrow Wilson Lawyers Club. Most of the items were taken from Milwaukee newspapers, in particular from the Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel, Milwaukee Star, and from the Polish-language press - Nowiny Polskie, Kuryer Polski, and Dziennik Zwiazkowy. Other political papers include a folder of campaign brochures and leaflets, a reference file regarding lend-lease legislation (1941), programs and invitations to various Washington events, printed voting records (1940-1946), and materials from the 1948 Democratic National Convention.
Other papers in the collection consist of certificates relating to Wasielewski's election to Congress and to his admission to the Wisconsin bar, and miscellany and personal memorabilia, primarily regarding land purchases and sales.
There are numerous family photographs in Box 3 of the collection. Those individuals who have been identified are Thaddeus and Stephanie Wasielewski, their children, Francis and Stephanie, and Thaddeus's brother, Eugene. Many of the photos were taken when Wasielewski was in Congress.
