The papers documenting the career of Harvey Kitzman, one of the most powerful and influential labor leaders in Wisconsin, consist primarily of twelve microfilmed scrapbooks dated approximately 1938-1972 and containing biographical clippings, photographs, and memorabilia, and additional volumes documenting various strikes, 1937-1960, of UAW Local 180. In addition, there are 16 tape recordings of Kitzman speeches. Unfilmed holdings include additional photographs of various UAW strike activities and miscellaneous material documenting political and labor activities by Kitzman during the later stages of his career.
The biographical SCRAPBOOKS were compiled by Kitzman and his family and consist of numerous clippings (primarily from the Racine Labor News) which refer to Kitzman's labor and political activities, photographs, and other biographical material. Also included here is a transcription of a 1963 oral history interview of Kitzman by Jack Skeets of the Wayne State Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations. In the scrapbooks are numerous photographs of Kitzman and people in various settings. A large number document UAW conventions and conferences and Democratic Party activities. The photographs are interspersed among the newspaper clippings and they both follow the general chronological arrangement. Also on microfilm are volumes of uncertain provenance concerning strike activities of Local 180. These volumes contain clippings, broadsides, letters from Case to its employees, and contracts. All volumes were filmed without a counter. After filming, the original biographical scrapbooks were returned to the Kitzman family.
The unfilmed PHOTOGRAPHS document several strikes at the J.I. Case Company in Racine, 1934-1936 and 1960. Included are images of picketers, police, and activities surrounding the strikes.
The MISCELLANY consists of subject folders on various political and labor activities. The file on Forum for Progress contains material pertaining to a panel discussion in which Kitzman participated in 1972 on national health care issues. Filed with miscellaneous publications are some propaganda documents (1934 and 1955) issued by the Kohler Company. Also included are a few pamphlets and manuals published by the UAW and other organizations.
The SOUND RECORDINGS are arranged chronologically. Except for remarks to rallies of the striking Kohler workers in 1954, the tapes primarily document the period 1966-1972. Included are many oral reports by Kitzman to Region 10 and CAP conferences, and speeches in behalf of various Democratic political candidates. In addition to recordings of Kitzman speeches, there are tapes of Hubert Humphrey, Gaylord Nelson, Walter Reuther, and Leonard Woodcock.
