Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of Schmitt's files dealing with conservation in Wisconsin, many of which are routine or social in nature. The papers concerning organizations contain fragmentary material, not complete records. There is almost no personal material. Because many individuals were involved in more than one conservation organization, there is some overlap in the files.

The papers are arranged chronologically and alphabetically into two series: Correspondence, and Subject Files.

The CORRESPONDENCE and RELATED MATERIAL series contains letters and enclosures referred to by the correspondents, such as writings and mailing lists. Included in the Organizations and Government Agencies section is the correspondence of "Forests"; this short lived national organization was headed by Schmitt and Charles H. Stoddard. Also included are copies of the "Forests" newsletters. Much of her correspondence with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (known as the Conservation Department prior to 1967) is with Ernest Swift, who was later affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation. The records of the Wisconsin Conservation League include letters from Louis Radke, president of that group. Also present is some correspondence with other noteworthy individuals active in conservation work, including Aldo Leopold and Gifford Pinchot.

The SUBJECT FILES includes material regarding the preservation of the Flambeau wilderness area, a key conservation issue in Wisconsin for many years. Schmitt's papers concerning the Menominee Indians show that she was primarily interested in the conservation of the tribe's extensive forest resources, rather than in the termination issue. There is also a file of newspaper clippings containing articles about Aroline Schmitt and some of the issues which interested her.