Main content

Alice Putnam Willetts Swarthmore papers

Notifications

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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

Call Number:
RG7.027
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
2 linear ft.
Language:
English
Date:
1997-2009 (inclusive)
Creator:
Willetts, Alice Putnam, February 6, 1926 – June 6, 2020
Abstract:

People
Place

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Finding Aid Author
S. Morikawa
Finding Aid Date
2023

Collection Inventory

Archival Resource Key. First Swarthmore Borough Council campaign, 1997.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

After teaching and coaching for 42 years, Putty Willetts retired in 1986 from the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. She devoted herself to civic organizations, especially concerning seniors and in 1996 decided to run for Borough Council.

Archival Resource Key. Borough Council: 1st year, 1997.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Willetts described her goals and approach. Issues before Council included curfews, guns, senior citizen facilities and a charter school in public school facilities (Irma Zimmer proposals)

Archival Resource Key. Campaign for second term: Re-elected, 2001.
Box 1
Archival Resource Key. League of Women Voters debate, 2001.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes her notes on issues

Archival Resource Key. Campaign for a third term, 2005.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Willetts came in third and lost in a Democratic sweep. Though not written policy, Council members in past served two terms. After her loss, she sought to fill a a two year vacancy.

Archival Resource Key. Effort to be appointed to the 2-year term on Council,, 2005-2006.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Having lost her bid for a third term on Council, Willets argued that she should be appointed to the 2-year term on Council created by a vacancy by the resignation of Joanna Jacobs because she received the third highest votes. Council disagreed since Willetts had not been re-elected. They reviewed the applications of three candidates and appointed Geoff Semenuk

Archival Resource Key. Correspondence in support for appointment of Willetts to two-year term, circa 2005-2006 and earlier.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Selection of email and notes in support and in sympathy when she lost.

Archival Resource Key. Campaign for Mayor, 2009.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Folder includes her handwritten notes prepared for debates, etc. Willetts lost the election to Rob Lowe

Archival Resource Key. Mayoral debate, 2009.
Box 1
Archival Resource Key. Town Center Planning, Strategic Planning Steering Committee, 1998-1999.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Revitalization of the business district was one of the primary projects of Council during Willett's first term. The project was met with controversy from the start, pitting those who were against any change versus the College and business owners. A Town Center Task Force was created in July 1998. Jim Hartling of Urban Partners, Philadelphia, was selected as a Facilitator. Laura Memeger and John Gibbons also served as Consultants.

Archival Resource Key. Willett's informal survey of Swarthmore residents, February 1998.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

An unofficial and unstructured survey of citizens' views which Alice Willetts mailed to every tax payer. It encouraged a wide range of comments.

Archival Resource Key. Applications for Town Center Task Force, 1998.
Box 2
Archival Resource Key. Town Center Task Force membership, 1998.
Box 2
Archival Resource Key. Town Center Task Force minutes, 1998-1999.
Box 2
Archival Resource Key. Town Center Task Force public meetings, 1998.
Archival Resource Key. Business district parking survey, 1998.
Box 2
Archival Resource Key. Irma Zimmer proposal to expand focus of Task Force, 1998.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Zimmer proposed that the Task Force go beyond business district planning to address community service, especially for seniors. She was a retired Swarthmore High School history teacher and passionate advocate for local schools and support for senior citizens.

Archival Resource Key. Willetts collect clippings, comments, etc., concerning Town Center.
Box 2
Archival Resource Key. Proposals prepared by Urban Partners, Kise Straw and Kolodner. , 1998-1999. 3 volumes.
Box 2
Physical Description

3 volumes3 spiral bound volumes

Archival Resource Key. Implementation planning, 2000-2023-04-06.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Willetts served on the Implementation Committee. Important challenges of her terms included construction of the College Inn, a proposed senior facility, referendum on liquor sales, land use and rezoning by the College to change zoning from residential to institutional along Chester Rd and Elm avenue, historic preservation, demolition ordinance, and a new Co-op and opposition to rezoning the Ingleneuk from residential to commercial after it was damaged by fire.

Archival Resource Key. Liquor referendum, 2000-2001.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

One of recommendations for the Town Center project was an ordinance to allow liquor at the Inn.

Archival Resource Key. Gateway Park, 2000-2002.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Willetts served on Council Environmental Committee

Archival Resource Key. Paulson Park, 2001.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Rutgers and Strath Haven Avenues

Archival Resource Key. Thatcher Park, 2001.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Proposed skateboarding ordinance, 2002.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Cable tv installation, Swarthmore.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Public Works Committee , 2000-2002.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Curfew and noise, 2001-2002.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Bed and Breakfast ordinance , 1989-2003.
Box 3
Archival Resource Key. Village Greens townhouse project, Dartmouth Ave.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Taxes - School and Borough, 2002-2003.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Willets lobbied for more senior citizen support facilities

Archival Resource Key. College zoning and land use planning, 2002.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

The College rezoned parts of campus from residential to institutional in order to expand the campus.

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore Recreation Association, 1998-2003.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

SRA received financial support from the Borough

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore by the Numbers, 1996.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Study by George Alexander which was published in the local newspaper, The Swarthmorean. File inclues 1990 census statistics

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore Senior Citizen Association, 1997.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Willetts was a founding member and served as president.

Archival Resource Key. Irma Zimmer: Educational Systems Research Assocs., etc. , 1997-2000.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Zimmer's study and proposal concerning school redistricting and providing services year-round for all ages. She included notes for Willetts on issues if she were running for Council concerning senior citizens

Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore College students and the "Ville", 2000.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Swarthmore Public Library 75th anniversary celebration, 2004.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Newsletters: Borough Downtown and The Leaf, 2002-2005.
Box 4
Archival Resource Key. Senior Drop-in Center: Dew Drop Inn opening, 2007.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

An office for various senior services located in 7 S. Chester Road. with support from a bequest of Irma Zimmer

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous.
Scope and Contents

Rough notes, thoughts on Borough Council, snapshots of Girls Hockey teams, 1976-1977 and 1978-1979, Polaroids of Putty at Public Works yard.

Print, Suggest