Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. records.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Indian Summer Festivals, Inc.

Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. records, 1985-2007.

UWM Manuscript Collection 250

1.6 cubic ft. (2 boxes and 1 oversize folder)

ABSTRACT: Collection consists of administrative records of Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. (ISF), including meeting minutes, correspondence, publicity materials, and photographs. ISF is best known for organizing the yearly American Indian ethnic festival, Indian Summer, at the Summerfest grounds at Milwaukee’s lakefront.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: This collection documents the history and operations of Indian Summer Festivals, Inc., including its formation, main activities, and publicity and fundraising efforts. The records are arranged into three series. Administrative Records are largely comprised of board meeting minutes, which are complemented by agendas, correspondence, financial information, articles of incorporation and by-laws. Photographic Materials provide some visual documentation of a few ISF activities. The Publicity series includes ISF publications such as brochures and posters. A few press kits are also found in this series, as are news clippings and scrapbooks.

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. was organized and incorporated in 1985 [a 501(c)3 organization] and formed for the purpose of organizing, planning and presenting an American Indian ethnic festival. The organization continues to be dedicated to strengthening the American Indian community and educating the general public on the history and the unique and diverse cultures of the American Indian by providing a forum to celebrate and showcase American Indian traditions. Their main activities include the Indian Summer festival, Education Day, and a Winter Pow Wow. Indian Summer is an annual festival held at the Summerfest grounds over the weekend following Labor Day. Education Day is held annually on the Friday before Indian Summer in an effort to give kindergarten through eighth grade students and teachers a greater understanding of American Indian culture and heritage. The Winter Pow Wow was first held in downtown Milwaukee at the Mecca Arena and later moved to the Wisconsin State Fair Park. It traditionally occurs during the first weekend in March.

ARRANGEMENT: The collection is organized alphabetically, then chronologically.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. Indian Summer Festivals records, 1985-2007. UWM Manuscript Collection 250. UWM Manuscript Collection. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

ACQUISITION: Indian Summer Festivals, Inc. donated its records in February and May 2007 (accession 2006-040 and 2006-062).

PROCESSING: Christopher Barden and Ellen Engseth processed the collection at the Archives in 2007.

RELATED MATERIALS: Milwaukee Indian Education Committee. Milwaukee Indian Education Committee records. (UWM Manuscript Collection 245)

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 250.	BOX	FOLDER
Administrative Records, Articles of Incorporation and First Festival, 1985-1987	1	1
Administrative Records, Bylaws, 1998, 2001	1	2
Administrative Records, Director’s File, 1994-1996	1	3
Administrative Records, Economic Impact Study, 1998	1	4
Administrative Records, Meeting Minutes, 1985-2007	1	5-22
Photographic Materials, Negatives, undated	1	23
Photographic Materials, Photographs, circa 1987, undated	1	24
Photographic Materials, Slides, Pow Wow, 1996	1	25
Publicity, Brochures, 1987-2005	1	26-42
Publicity, Brochures, Sponsorship, undated	1	43
Publicity, Clippings, 1987-2005, undated	2	1-2
Publicity, Correspondence, 1985 -1998	1	44
Publicity, Photo Collage, circa 1989 [oversize folder 1]
Publicity, Posters, 1987-2005 [oversize folder 1]
Publicity, Press Kits, 1998-2006	1	45
Publicity, Scrapbooks, 1987-1989, 1999, 2002-2005	2	3-5