This collection contains Corporate Records, Membership Records, Financial Records, Correspondence, and a Subject File. The Corporate Records consist of the articles of incorporation, by-laws, lists of trustees and officers, and Board resolutions and minutes. Membership Records consist mainly of membership lists (1970-1973) with charter members noted, and several membership application forms. Financial Records include three ledgers (1968-1975), the treasurer's correspondence, financial statements (1968-1969), and the records of the Foundation's bank accounts.
The Correspondence is mainly form letters to the membership and letters to the Board of Trustees. In the general correspondence there is also a letter to the Wisconsin Land Resources Committee advocating a greater role for state government in historic preservation.
The Subject File contains materials related to Taychopera's various preservation projects and interests. It includes papers relating to the creation and functioning of the Madison Landmarks Commission along with news clippings on designated historic sites, clippings and a pamphlet on the Gates of Heaven Synagogue, a copy of the plan for a historic district in Madison, and a copy of the script for the film on historic buildings in Madison, which was sponsored by the Foundation. This series includes 3 reels of 8 mm film showing Madison in 1943, 1944, and 1947, which might have been used for their film.
The best documentation of Taychopera's activities is contained in the Board minutes and the fairly complete financial records. The correspondence is very sketchy, and the collection lacks documentation on the workings of its project committees and on the relationship of Taychopera to other community organizations and to the city government.
