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American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities Records

Notifications

Held at: Princeton University Library: Public Policy Papers [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Public Policy Papers. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities

The American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities (AAAH) operated from 1979 until 1982. The AAAH was a general membership organization which supported the humanities in the United States through its involved in legislation, conferences, and producing the monthly publication Humanities Report. The AAAH was incorporated in October 1977 by James M. Banner, Jr. and Theodore K. Raab of Princeton University and opened its office in Washington, D.C. in January of 1979. It initially received funding from the Rockefeller, Ford, and Exxon Education foundations and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and later from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, ATT, and the Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation.

The AAAH was founded to provide a general, independent membership organization to represent all aspects of the humanities in the United States, not just the scholarly community. It focused on three general areas: to support the work of humanists and foster communication and cooperation between them, to promote public understanding of the humanities, and to increase the contribution of the humanities in American life. It was governed by a 15 member Board of Directors composed of individuals involved in the humanities and related fields in the broadest sense, including schools, libraries, and the legal and medical professions. Five board members were elected each year by the membership. Board meetings were held twice a year, with an annual meeting open to both members and non-members.

The AAAH's activities included testifying before Congress, aiding in the founding of the National Humanities Alliance (a lobbying organization for the humanities) and the Community College Humanities Association, participating in a study with the Association of Research Libraries of the distribution of information about library developments to scholars at research universities, investigating the feasibility of creating a business committee for the humanities, and speaking for the broad interests of humanities at specialized humanities organizations. It also produced a monthly newsmagazine, Humanities Report, which was the only independent news source in the United States on the humanities. Humanities Report contained general news on issues, programs, activities, and developments in the humanities, as well as interviews, editorials, letters, and association news. It was distributed to all members of the AAAH. All of the AAAH's activities were handled by four full-time staff members, with James M. Banner, Jr. as chairman, supported by part-time assistants, project directors, and volunteers.

Soon after its inception, the AAAH reached its peak of 3,500 members. However, the association soon encountered difficulties. As an area with a great deal of specialization, many in the humanities did not see the need for this type of organization. It also encountered resistance from scholars who would have preferred it to be a more academic organization, rather than including a broader base of membership. Due to an economic downturn, individuals had less money to spend on dues, young scholars were facing unemployment, and the foundations which were supporting it also faced budget difficulties. By 1982, the membership had declined to close to 2,500. Unable to support itself financially from membership dues, and with insufficient support from the humanities community, the Board of Directors, with the agreement of chairman James M. Banner, Jr., decided to close the AAAH in the spring of 1982.

The AAAH's records document the administration of the association and include correspondence, board minutes, financial records, and materials on Humanities Report. The records focus on fundraising and the membership of the association, and also include materials related to projects undertaken by the AAAH. Many of the records document the work of the AAAH's chairman, James M. Banner, Jr.

Please see the series descriptions in the contents list for additional information about individual series.

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the organizational history note: "Fact Sheet" by the American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities, February 1982; American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities Records, Box 7, Folder 5; Public Policy Papers, Special Collections, Princeton University Library. "Organizing the Humanities: AAAH's Vision Ten Years Later," by James M. Banner, Jr. Change , March/April 1989, p. 45-51.

This collection was received in several shipments from James M. Banner, Jr. from 1984-1990, and formally donated to Princeton University in March 1993.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Ten audiocassette tapes are located in Boxes 8 and 9.

This collection was processed by Adriane Hanson and Sumit Mehta in 2008. Finding aid written by Adriane Hanson in May 2008.

Materials separated from this collection include duplicate materials and a partial list of the addresses of members and subscribers to Humanities Report.

Publisher
Public Policy Papers
Finding Aid Author
Adriane Hanson
Finding Aid Date
2008
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, any copyright vested in the donor has passed to The Trustees of Princeton University and researchers do not need to obtain permission, complete any forms, or receive a letter to move forward with use of donor-created materials within the collection. For materials in the collection not created by the donor, or where the material is not an original, the copyright is likely not held by the University. In these instances, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have a question about who owns the copyright for an item, you may request clarification by contacting us through the Ask Us! form.

Collection Inventory

Scope and Contents

The Administrative Files series documents the founding and organization of the AAAH. Much of the series is composed of records regarding the Board of Directors and the AAAH's finances. Board records include correspondence and meeting minutes and are predominantly concerned with budget and fundraising, staff, and the content and production of Humanities Report. The majority of the financial records are correspondence with foundations about grants, and also include accountant reports, budgets, and tax returns. Also included are materials related to annual meetings, reports, materials on projects and work regarding legislation that effected the humanities, and materials for the press about the association.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Physical Description

9 boxes

Physical Description

3 boxes

Physical Description

1 box

1979, 1979. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

(With prospective members.)

Physical Description

1 folder

1979, 1979. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1979, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

1981 March 26, 1981 October 30, 1981 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 April 23, 1982 April 23. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

1982 June 4, 1982 June 4. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1982-1983 Board of Directors, 1982, 1982-1983. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Abrahamson, Shirley S, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Brademas, John, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Callahan, Daniel, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Church, Martha E, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Clubb, Louise G, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Howe, Helena Bain, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Knight, Douglas M, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Koltai, Leslie, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Kotlowitz, Robert, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Masciantonio, Rudolf, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

McPherson, Harry, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

O'Flahert, Wendy D, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Pellegrino, Edmund D, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Robb, Theodore K, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Shumaker, John W, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Spacks, Patricia M, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Stamberg, Susan, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Stimpson, Catherine R, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Turner, Darwin T, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Wedgeworth, Robert, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Williams, Aubury, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1979, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981-1982, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Minutes and Other Board Actions, 1977-1982. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Nominating Committee, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

3 boxes

Accounting, 1977-1985. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Physical Description

1 box

Fiscal Year, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fiscal Year, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fiscal Year, 1982-1983. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fundraising, Corporate Approaches, 1978-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

General, 1980-1982. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Ahmanson Foundation, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, 1977-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

AT&T Corporation, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Atlantic Richfield Foundation, 1978-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Bradley John Price Jones, Inc, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Carnegie Corporation of New York, 1978-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Commonwealth Fund, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Dyson-Kissinger Corporation, 1977-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Exxon Education Foundation, 1978-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ford Foundation, 1978-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Johnson Foundation, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Macmillan Foundation, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Matchette Foundation, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Philip L. Graham Fund, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reader's Digest Association, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Rockefeller Foundation, 1978-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, 1979-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Operating Grants, 1978-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Initial Concept and Responses, 1977. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Interview for National Public Radio, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Congressional Issues, General, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

HR 3312 Federal Charter for American Council of Learned Societies, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

Advocacy Efforts for Reauthorization, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Budget, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Organization, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Transition Team, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Humanities Alliance, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Humanities Alliance, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Physical Description

1 box

Chairman's Opening Remarks, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Challenge of Careers for the Humanities" Session, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Condition of Scholarship in Humanities, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Foreign Language and International Study, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Publicity, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Registrants Information Materials, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

State of the Humanities in the United States, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

"Teaching General Introductory Humanities Courses", 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

General, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Registration Desk Forms, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Registration Questions and Correspondence, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

General, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Policy Questionnaire, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Program Committee, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fourth Annual Meeting, Program Committee, 1982-1983. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1979, 1979. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Fact Sheet, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Appeals for Joint Involvement, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Association of Research Libraries, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Career Related Services, Danforth Foundation, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Committee on Support, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Humanities Arts and Sciences Conferences, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Independent Scholars, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Joint Involvement Activities of the American Association of Applied Sciences and American Association for the Advancement of the Humanities, 1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Media Fellows, 1980-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Public Case for the Humanities, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Schools and Scholars, 1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Study of the State of Human Knowledge, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Summer Institute, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Prospectus, Initial, 1977. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Prospectus, Requests, 1978-1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reports, 1982-1984. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Tapes from Lectures, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Tapes from Lectures, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Correspondence series contains correspondence between the AAAH, notably chairman James M. Banner, Jr., and members of the AAAH, other organizations advocating for the humanities or related fields, and scholars. The Chronological correspondence predominantly documents the founding and progress of the AAAH, conference attendance, groups expressing interest in collaborating or becoming members, and communication with potential granting agencies. Also included are some articles and conference proceedings on humanities subjects. The Individual correspondence concerns membership renewals and includes membership renewal forms and correspondence from the AAAH thanking members for renewals and advising them of their membership status. The Membership correspondence includes letters from individuals interested in becoming members, correspondence of the Ad Hoc Committee on Membership about increasing the number of members, a report sent to the membership about funding for the Humanities, and statistics about the membership.

Arrangement

Divided into three sections: Chronological, Individual, and Membership.

Physical Description

7 boxes

Physical Description

5 boxes

1978, 1978. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Physical Description

2 boxes

A-E, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

F-H, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

H-K, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

L-Q, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

R-Z, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Regarding Membership Business, dates not examined. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 January, 1980 January. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 February, 1980 February. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 March, 1980 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 April, 1980 April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 May, 1980 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 June, 1980 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 July, 1980 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 August, 1980 August. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 September, 1980 September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 October, 1980 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 November, 1980 November. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 December, 1980 December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980, 1980. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

(Commission on the Humanities)

Physical Description

1 folder

1981 January, 1981 January. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 February, 1981 February. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 March, 1981 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 April, 1981 April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 May, 1981 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 June, 1981 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 July, 1981 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 August, 1981 August. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 September, 1981 September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 October, 1981 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 November, 1981 November. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1981 December, 1981 December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 January, 1982 January. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 February, 1982 February. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 March, 1982 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 April, 1982 April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 May, 1982 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 June, 1982 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 July, 1982 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 August, 1982 August. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1982 September, 1982 September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

1 box

1980 January, 1980 January. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 February, 1980 February. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 March, 1980 March. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 April, 1980 April. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

1980 May, 1980 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 June, 1980 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 July, 1980 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 August, 1980 August. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 September, 1980 September. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 October, 1980 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 November, 1980 November. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

1980 December, 1980 December. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Physical Description

2 boxes

Ad Hoc Committee on Membership, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Individual Membership, 1978. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Listing Services, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Mailings and Notices, 1979-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Memoranda Sent to Membership, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Questionnaire, 1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Report to Membership on Funding for the Humanities, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Testimonials by Supporters of AAAH, 1980-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Testimonials from Individuals Opposed to AAAH, 1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Scope and Contents

The Humanities Report series includes materials related to the publication of the AAAH's monthly newsmagazine. The series contains a complete run of Humanities Report, as well as correspondence related to the content, editing, and publication of Humanities Report, copyright forms, and correspondence of the Advisory Board. Also included is correspondence and statistics about reprints of articles that first appeared in Humanities Report.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document type or by subject.

Physical Description

2 boxes

Advertising, 1979-1981. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Advisory Committee, 1981-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Copyright, 1979-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1977-1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence, 1979-1982. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Correspondence, 1979-1982. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Humanities Report, 1979-1980 May. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Humanities Report, 1980 June-1981 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Humanities Report, 1981 July-1982 June. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

JB Associates, Regarding the Production of Humanities Report, 1978-1979. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Requests to Reprint Articles from Humanities Report, 1979-1982. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Requests to Reprint Articles in Humanities Report, 1979-1980. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest