The CORE Records directly reflect the nature of CORE as an organization, with two factors standing out as being characteristic. First, is the struggle for autonomy by the local chapters. Second, and perhaps more important in understanding the Records, is the extent to which there was no clear-cut separation of functions among the various administrative offices and departments. In effect, all of the offices and departments seem to have dealt with everything.
In an attempt to preserve the integrity of the original files, the bulk of the records are arranged in series according to the various offices and departments by which they were designated when they were sent to the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. These were the following: Series 1: Director's Files, Series 2: Assistant Director's Files, Series 3: Executive Secretary's Files, Series 4: National Action Council, and Series 5: Departments and Related Organizations.
In each of these series the records are arranged by subject heading, and under each subject, chronologically by months. In general, there is a folder in each series on each subject in every other series. For example, if a researcher wishes to study the Freedom Rides of 1961, he must look under each office and department for that subject heading, thus consulting materials from widely-scattered parts of the collection. A problem also arises from the fact that CORE's organization was centered to some extent around individuals. If a staff member changed positions he might very well carry over some of his old responsibilities and even his files into the new position. Also, although a project or office might be given one particular phase of CORE's work, it necessarily was involved with other duties. For instance, even though the Community Relations department was to handle chiefly publicity and fund-raising for the Freedom Rides, its files also contain much legal material relating to the Freedom Rides.
Almost the entire collection is available on microfilm from the Microfilm Corporation of America, together with a printed guide, The Papers of the Congress of Racial Equality, 1941-1967 (1980). A positive copy of this film is held by the Historical Society Library. Printing from the negative in the Archives' possession is restricted; the reel locations in the Contents List below are provided for convenience in using the Library's copy.
One final series, designated Non-Microfilmed Records, consists of one tape recording of a 1964 rally and one box of additional paper records received after the microfilming was completed. These records were generated by several different offices and are filed in one chronological order. They include correspondence, minutes, near-print documents, and other materials.
