This finding aid is divided into 6 parts. Click on a link below to go to that page:

Collection Overview
Series 1: Accession 835, Subseries 1.1-Subseries 1.4
Series 1: Accession 835, Subseries 1.5-Subseries 1.17
Series 2: Accession 924
Series 3: Accession 1102
Series 4: Photographs, Series 5: Accession 2015-7, Series 6: Accession 2015-21,

Series 7: Website versions in Archive-It

Collection Summary

Title
Gray Panthers Records

Dates
1953-2015

Collection ID
SCRC 27

Creator
Gray Panthers

Quantity
276.05 linear feet (266 boxes)

Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries

Language
Materials in English

Detailed Collection Information

Historical Note

Founded in 1970 by Maggie Kuhn and five other women who had been pressed into mandatory retirement, the Gray Panthers began as the Consultation of Older and Younger Adults. The name the Gray Panthers was adopted in 1972. The Panthers met initially in Philadelphia, later expanding nationally.  Interests of the group, in addition to eliminating mandatory retirement, included the war in Vietnam, the arms race of the 1970s and 1980s, affordable housing, nursing home abuses, banking reform, civil rights, transportation, health care and patients’ rights, and creating structure for grassroots populations to facilitate social change at the community level.

The first national Gray Panthers convention took place in October 1975, followed by statewide and regional Gray Panther conventions. Ongoing participation in numerous coalitions included involvement in the establishment of the National Caucus of the Black Aged, and as primary players in the formation of the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform. Additional groups in coalition with the Panthers included Coalition for a National Health Service, Progressive Alliance, National Senior Citizens Law Center, National Coalition for a New Foreign and Military Policy, and the Older Women's League (OWL).

In 1981, Kuhn founded the Shared-Housing Resource Center (SHRC), with the goal of providing safe, affordable housing for people of all races, genders, and ages. Consistent with the values of the Gray Panthers, SHRC sought to integrate the lives and concerns of the elderly with those of the younger generation, these living arrangements paired the young and old in “match" or “group" residences. Initially headed by Dennis Day-Lower (whose Boston Shared Living Project was the model for SHRC), the organization started locally and later expanded into regional and national organizations.

The Gray Panthers publication The Network began as a national newspaper, and later changed into a newsletter. Early issues included critical analyses of the news and in-depth research articles. It also functioned as a conduit for activist techniques utilized and developed by the Gray Panthers.

While the Gray Panthers have consistently had a Philadelphia presence, operating initially out of the Tabernacle Church in West Philadelphia and out of Kuhn’s own house on Greene Street in Germantown, the national office was moved to Washington, D.C. in 1990.

Description of Collection

The Gray Panthers Records documents the activities of the Gray Panthers from the organization’s inception to the early to mid-1990s. Records include correspondence, administrative records, legal briefs, reference files, position papers, publications, photographs, and other materials that document the formation and work of this organization. This collection includes preserved versions of the organization’s website, available through Archive-It.

Organization and Arrangement

This collection consists of 5 accessions of material, and is organized into 7 series:

Series 1: Accession 835, 1953-1999
          Subseries 1.1: Administration, 1953-1996
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.1: Board, 1972-1995
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.2: Documents, 1973-1994
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.3: Chronological, 1971-1993
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.4: Office, 1984-1996
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.5: Funding Records, 1968-1994
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.6: Finance Records, 1975-1994
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.7: Correspondence, 1974-1996
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.8: History, 1970-1978
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.9: Archives, undated
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.10: Personnel, 1974-1990 (PORTIONS RESTRICTED)
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.11: International Contracts, 1992-1995
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.12: Phone Logs, 1953-1994
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.13: Mailings, 1970-1994
                    Sub-subseries 1.1.14: Volunteer Work Applications, undated (RESTRICTED)
          Subseries 1.2: Correspondence, 1960-1996
          Subseries 1.3: Reference Files, 1985-1990
          Subseries 1.4: Subjects, undated
          Subseries 1.5: Maggie Kuhn, 1940-1977
          Subseries 1.6: Meetings, 1970-1995
                    Sub-subseries 1.6.1: Conferences, 1970-1993
                    Sub-subseries 1.6.2: Conventions, 1977-1995
                    Sub-subseries 1.6.3: Meetings, 1970-1994
          Subseries 1.7: Trips, 1976-1986
          Subseries 1.8: Speaking Engagements, 1970-1996
                    Sub-subseries 1.8.1: Administration, undated
                    Sub-subseries 1.8.2: Chronological, 1970-1996
                    Sub-series 1.8.3: Speeches, 1970-1992
          Subseries 1.9: Local Networks, 1972-1993
          Subseries 1.10: Testimonies, 1972-1989
          Subseries 1.11: Organizations, 1969-1993
          Subseries 1.12: Projects, 1970-1993
          Subseries 1.13: Shared Housing Resources Center, 1957-1996
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.1: Administration, 1976-1995 (PORTIONS RESTRICTED)
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.2: Client Files, undated (RESTRICTED)
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.3: Financial, 1957-1991
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.4: Correspondence, 1980-1992
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.5: Maggie Kuhn, 1980-1995
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.6: Other Branches and Photographs, undated
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.7: Publications, 1973-1991
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.8: Match Cards, undated (RESTRICTED)
                    Sub-subseries 1.13.9: Oversized Materials, 1984-1991
          Subseries 1.14: Publications, 1972-1999
          Subseries 1.15: Audiovisual Materials and Slides, undated
          Subseries 1.16: Memorabilia, undated
          Subseries 1.17: Miscellaneous, 1983-1990

Series 2: Accession 924, 1968-1990s
          Subseries 2.1: Administration, 1970-1988
          Subseries 2.2: Correspondence, 1978-1989
          Subseries 2.3: Reference Files, undated
          Subseries 2.4: Subjects, 1977-1990s
          Subseries 2.5: Meetings, 1968-1990
                    Sub-Subseries 2.5.1: Conferences, 1968-1989
                    Sub-Subseries 2.5.2, Conventions, 1971-1985
                    Sub-Subseries 2.5.3: Meetings, 1971-1990
          Subseries 2.6: Trips, 1982-1989
          Subseries 2.7: Speaking Engagements, 1973-1990
          Subseries 2.8: Local Networks, 1980-1983
          Subseries 2.9: Testimonies, 1977-1989
          Subseries 2.10: Organizations, undated
          Subseries 2.11: Projects, undated
          Subseries 2.12: Publications, undated
          Subseries 2.13: Audiovisual, 1985-1989
          Subseries 2.14: Miscellaneous, undated

Series 3: Accession 1102, 1970-1984
          Subseries 3.1: Administrative Records, 1970-1983
          Subseries 3.2: Correspondence, 1970-1984
          Subseries 3.3: Regional Networks, 1973-1984
          Subseries 3.4: Court Cases and Legal Correspondence, 1974-1982
          Subseries 3.5: Conferences and Speaking Engagements, 1970-1984
          Subseries 3.6: International File, 1972-1982
          Subseries 3.7: Reference Files, 1970-1984
          Subseries 3.8: Photographs, 1973-1981

Series 4: Photographs (PC-91), 1970-1999

Series 5: Accession 2015-7, 1976-1999, undated

Series 6: Accession 2015-21, 1971-2014, undated
          Subseries 6.1: Board of Directors records, 1986-2012, undated
          Subseries 6.2: Financial records, 1985-2014
          Subseries 6.3: General administrative records, 1972-2013, undated
          Subseries 6.4: Chapter records, 1972-2013, undated
          Subseries 6.5: Events and conventions, 1986-2010
          Subseries 6.6: Publications, photographs, ephemera, 1971-2007, undated
          Subseries 6.7: Meeting, lectures, and other audiocassettes, 1978-1994, undated
          Subseries 6.8: Conventions and Board of Directors audiocassettes, 1986-2007, undated
          Subseries 6.9: Video recordings and compact disks, 1980-2006, undated

Series 7: Website versions in Archive-It, 2000-2015
 

Series 1, Accession 835, has been divided into 17 subseries.

Subseries 1.1, Administration, has been divided into 14 sub-subseries. The sub-subseries Board contains minutes, reports, attachments, notes and correspondence documenting communications to board members. The Documents sub-subseries contains documents including the Articles of Agreement (by-laws), Project Fund descriptions and Annual Reports. The Chronological sub-subseries includes drafts, memos, reports, lists, and correspondence. The Office sub-subseries contain notes, drafts, memos, lists, and publications that reflect the growing staff and relate somewhat more to the actual workings of the national office. Funding Records include proposals, correspondence, notes, and memos, organized chronologically. Finance Records contain financial statements, weekly cash reports, minutes of budget and finance committee, budget comparisons, audits, and direct mail income reports. There is some overlap between Finance and Funding records. Correspondence contains letters organized chronologically. Additional correspondence can be found throughout the collection. The History sub-subseries includes minutes, agendas, reports, correspondence, notes, and research papers on the Gray Panthers. This materials appears to have been grouped together by Maggie Kuhn as an attempt to compile a history of the Gray Panthers. The Archives sub-subseries contains correspondence and lists. Personnel contains forms, correspondence, memos, reports, job descriptions, and resumes. Some Personnel files are restricted until 75 years after the date of their creation. International Contracts contains correspondence, faxes, and publication. Phone logs contain spiral notebook logs. Mailings contain notices, correspondence, position papers, and lists. Volunteer Work Applications were originally addressed to the Retired Professional Action Group (RPAG) which merged with the Gray Panthers in 1973. This consists of applications, correspondence and attachments, of retired individuals interested in lending their expertise to making changes in society. These files are restricted until 75 years after the date of their creation.

Subseries 1.2, Correspondence, contains letters in chronological order. Three boxes at the end of the chronological grouping, arranged alphabetically, separate out specific individuals or entities. Notable correspondence includes that with active Gray Panther members (Margaret Hummel, Schubert Frye, Jack Zucker, Lillian Rabinowitz, Billie Heller, Grace Gaines Jacobs, Sylvia Kleinman and Dave Brown, among others), with politicians (Frank Church, Edward Kennedy, Patricia Schroeder, William Gray, John Heinz, and Harris Wofford), gerontologists and academics (Robert Butler, Carroll Estes, Warren Salmon), and other activists (Ralph Nader, Robert Bothwell). Much of the correspondence comes in the form of carbon copy responses to letters received and/or original letters from correspondents. Occasionally carbons are accompanied by drafts in Kuhn’s hand. A number of enclosures such as publications, resumes, and photos (copies only; originals have been removed Series 4, Photographs), have been retained with the letters.

Subseries 1.3, Reference Files, includes publications, lists, notes, and correspondence from 1985 to 1990, arranged alphabetically.

Subseries 1.4, Subjects, contains publications, position papers, correspondence, petitions, and notes, organized alphabetically by subject. Notable subjects include: Health, Housing, and Housing America, Church and Aging, Long Term Care Reform (primarily relating to nursing home reform), and Media and Women.

Subseries 1.5, Maggie Kuhn, houses materials regarding Maggie Kuhn that relate to her professional career, generally related to the Gray Panthers.

Subseries 1.6, Meetings, is divided into three sub-subseries: Conferences, Conventions, and Meetings. Conventions covers only Gray Panther conventions. All material has been placed in chronological order within each sub-series. Much of the material in conferences is material gathered while attending various conferences. The Ghost Ranch conferences served as think tanks for the Gray Panthers. The "Black House" conference, which the Gray Panthers helped organize, addressed minority aging issues, which it was known would not be addressed in the larger gathering, the White House Conference. At least two world assemblies are represented: the first organized by the NGO's (non-governmental orgs.) on Aging of the U.N. and taking place in Vienna in 1982 (referred to as the World Assembly in the inventory) and the second, specifically for world peace, taking place in Prague in 1983 (referred to as Prague in the inventory).

Subseries 1.7, Trips, contains materials related to trips taken by Kuhn to China, Canada, and Russia, among others.  These materials have been placed in chronological order, by country visited. Additional material relating to trips can be found within Subseries 1.6, Meetings.

Subseries 1.8, Speaking Engagements, is organized into three sub-subseries and tracks Kuhn’s speaking engagements around the country and beyond. This series documents both speeches and speech-making. The sub-subseries Administration contains office and agent materials. The sub-subseries Chronological contains correspondence, forms, programs, some financial material (statements), and notes, drafts or other copies of speeches. The programs frequently list panels, speakers and speeches. There are numerous "On the Road with Maggie" lists, which cover her imminent itinerary, scattered throughout the files. The Speeches sub-series relates to actual speeches, including copies and drafts, and source material.

Subseries 1.9, Local Networks, contains files generated by or relating to the local networks of the Gray Panthers within the United States. The files are arranged alphabetically by state. The greatest representations are from New York and California, although significant networks dotted the country and scores of networks can be found here. Each network was encouraged to take on issues that made sense for their particular constituency and resident talent. The bulk of material is correspondence, memos and notes relating to activity within the networks. Membership lists are quite common. Also included are groups of national surveys conducted by the Gray Panthers over the years, some of them general and some issue-specific, filed chronologically.

Subseries 1.10, Testimonies, houses a concentration of testimonies, loosely arranged in chronological order, given by Kuhn as well as other Gray Panther members, to Congress, state legislatures, city councils, public hearings, etc. Additional testimonies can be found scattered throughout the collection.

Subseries 1.11, Organizations, houses materials generated by organizations which interacted with the Gray Panthers or Maggie Kuhn. Materials include correspondence, publications, notes, memos, agendas, and minutes. They have been arranged alphabetically by name of organization, with the exception of a separate heading for “Coalitions.” Substantive materials are available for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, an organization Kuhn helped to found and for which she served as co-chair or board member from 1976 to the early 1990s. Other significant affiliations include Committee for National Health Service, National Senior Citizen's Law Center, National Caucus on the Black Aged, the United Nations, the White House, United Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (UPHEWA), and assorted women's groups. Gray Panther interactions with the AMA (American Medical Association), are also documented here.

Subseries 1.12, Projects, includes memoirs, correspondence, notes, proposals, drafts, clippings, and press releases generated by the following projects: Media Watch, Work Projects, Year of Wellness, and the Mahler Committee. The files are organized chronologically. Media Watch, lead by Lydia Bragger, was key in sensitizing the media about ageist stereotypes. There are several folders labeled "work" or "work project," and they in fact refer to different projects. One, directed by K. Perkins, was actually a research project on the impact of early involuntary retirement on older women. Another, dubbed the work project, also mid-1980s, was a think tank arrangement soliciting input from all relevant sources on the question of good work, or why good work appeared to have disappeared and to seek to identify the "public policy innovations needed for a just society." The Year of Wellness focused on North Philadelphia and a wide range of factors involved in creating healthy environments. This was built, in part, on a concept advanced earlier by the Gray Panthers, called Healthy Blocks, and documented within the Subjects series under Housing. The Mahler Committee makes awards to scholars 70 years and older and began giving out awards in 1989. These files contain proposals and correspondence.

Subseries 1.13, Shared Housing Resources Center, has been divided into the following sub-subseries: Administration, Client Files, Financial, Correspondence, Maggie Kuhn, Other Branches and Photographs (photographs have been filed with the Series 4, Photographs), Publications, Match Cards, and Oversized Materials. Mention of the SHRC activities, efforts, and work can be found scattered throughout the Gray Panthers Records. The Administration sub-subseries includes client lists and files, general information, organizational history, housing sites, inquiries and responses, meetings, personnel records, programs, match cards, and reports. The client files (boxes 150 and 158) and match cards (box 159) are restricted until 75 years after the date of their creation. The Financial sub-subseries includes general financial records, accrued benefits, bank statements, cafeteria plan analysis, clearinghouse project, contributions, dues, employee benefits, expenditures, fringe benefits, funding requests, fundraising, invoices, ledgers, local network budget, housing, Philadelphia match, proposals, administrations, foundations. Undated files include shared housing, letters from auditor, housing alternatives, Maggie Tree, AARP film, and a financial resources guide. The Correspondence sub-subseries includes annual meeting records, board, board of directors, conferences, planning committee, DCA, Delaware Valley, delegate council, general meetings, executive committee, presentation, training, workshops, and neighborhood reinvestment, quarterly meetings, regional training workshop seminar on implementing alternative living arrangements, staff meetings, United Way, Urban Resource Development Corporation, Women’s Resource Center. The Maggie Kuhn sub-subseries includes notes and correspondence. The Other Branches and Photographs sub-subseries contains undated materials. The Publications sub-subseries includes articles and clippings. Match Cards, generally dated from the 1980s-1990s, comprise one full box. Match Cards are restricted until 75 years after the date of their creation. The Oversized Materials sub-subseries includes administration history, Chinatown Houses, and Reports.

Subseries 1.14, Publications, contains articles, interviews, journals, notes, drafts, correspondence, newsletters, resource packets, position papers, and brochures. The series contains material generated by the Gray Panthers, and material about Kuhn or the Gray Panthers. Also included are copies of The Network, pamphlets and publications, and clippings. The files also contain correspondence, notes and memos. Material relating to the production of their newsletter, The Network, is also available here, as well as issues of the newsletter from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Subseries 1.15, Audiovisual Materials and Slides, contains audio tapes, video tapes, and 35 mm slides.

Subseries 1.16, Memorabilia, contains regalia, buttons, protest posters, and other items.

Subseries 1.17, Miscellaneous, contains miscellaneous ephemera and writings.

Series 2, Accession 924, has been divided into 14 subseries: Administration, Correspondence, Reference Files, Subjects, Meetings, Trips, Speaking Engagements, Local Networks, Testimonies, Organizations, Projects, Publications, Audiovisual, and Miscellaneous.    

Subseries 2.1, Administration, contains records of an administrative nature by the Gray Panthers organization.

Subseries 2.2, Correspondence, contains letters of an official nature to the business of the Gray Panthers, most of which are from or to Kuhn. The Correspondence subseries is arranged alphabetically by sender (if written to Kuhn or a Gray Panthers addressee) or recipient (if sent by Kuhn). Some 1984 correspondence remains segregated, as originally filed.

Subseries 2.3, Reference Files, relate to files in which Gray Panthers personnel or activities are not mentioned. The arrangement is alphabetical.

Subseries 2.4, Subjects, includes publications, correspondence, position papers, and notes. The arrangement is alphabetical.

Subseries 2.5, Meetings, includes three sub-subseries: Conferences (material gathered while attending conferences), Conventions (relating only to Gray Panthers conventions), and Meetings (including some of the folders created by Gray Panthers primarily for Kuhn and the countless meetings she attended).

Subseries 2.6, Trips, documents Kuhn’s travel, including to foreign countries. These materials are arranged by country or city/state visited.

Subseries 2.7, Speaking Engagements, documents Kuhn’s speaking engagements around the country and overseas. This series documents some of her public appearances, although most are limited to promotional material or specific travel arrangements. Some files include ancillary materials collected by Kuhn at these appearances. These materials are arranged alphabetically by the city and state of the engagement.

Subseries 2.8, Local Networks, alphabetically arranges files by or relating to the local networks or chapters of the Gray Panthers within the United States. Only a few of the affiliated chapters are represented here.

Subseries 2.9, Testimonies, comprises testimonies given by Kuhn and other Gray Panthers members to Congress, state legislatures, city councils, and public hearings. The arrangement is alphabetical.

Subseries 2.10, Organizations, includes materials generated by, or were directed to, a few of the organizations that are known to have interacted with the Gray Panthers or Maggie Kuhn. The arrangement is alphabetical.

Subseries 2.11, Projects, contains documents relating to special projects of the Gray Panthers: Media Watch, Work Projects, Year of Wellness, and the Mahler Committee. The arrangement is alphabetical.

Subseries 2.12, Publications, contains publications by or about Maggie Kuhn or the Gray Panthers, including booklets, articles, prefaces and other introductory material, encyclopedic entries, magazines and journals, newsletters, and newspapers.

Subseries 2.13, Audiovisual, contains various audiovisual materials.

Subseries 2.14, Miscellaneous, includes items not categorized by the other subseries.

Series 3, Accession 1102, is organized into 8 subseries: Administrative Records, Correspondence, Regional Networks, Court Cases and Legal Correspondence, Conferences and Speaking Engagements, International File, Reference Files, and Photographs.

Subseries 3.1, Administrative Records, includes records related to major initiatives and the day-to-day operations of the Gray Panthers, including documents detailing the organization’s partnerships with other civil rights groups. Record types include correspondence, reports, position papers, datebooks, calendars, and telephone logs, among others.

Subseries 3.2, Correspondence, contains letters to and from Kuhn and other Gray Panthers staff members. It is arranged two ways: by state and by specific correspondent or corresponding agency, and then alphabetically within each subgroup. There is also some general correspondence filed at the end of the subseries. The thematic arrangement of this material reflects Kuhn's filing system. The state files include correspondence between the Gray Panthers national office and Gray Panthers representatives or state chapters. The correspondent and corresponding agency files include letters to and from the Gray Panthers and partner organizations or individuals.

Subseries 3.3, Regional Networks, includes correspondence and administrative materials (like charters, minutes, agendas, and other documents) pertaining to the state-, city-, or region-based local networks of the Gray Panthers. The series is arranged alphabetically: first by state, and then by network name.

Subseries 3.4, Court Cases and Legal Correspondence, contains legal briefs, correspondence, reports, and other materials related to lawsuits filed by or against the Gray Panthers, as well as legal activities undertaken by the Gray Panthers and their affiliate, the National Senior Citizens Law Center. The series is arranged thematically, with court cases first and National Senior Citizens Law Center material after.

Subseries 3.5, Conferences and Speaking Engagements, contains files documenting Kuhn’s public appearances and professional development experiences; in arrangement, conferences appear first and are ordered alphabetically by conference title, followed by speaking engagement records, which are ordered chronologically.

Subseries 3.6, International File, contains a wide range of materials—correspondence, printed matter, reports—about or from countries other than the United States. Materials relate to a number of topics, including Kuhn’s visits to different countries, and age discrimination and elder rights issues around the globe. This series is arranged alphabetically according to country name.

Subseries 3.7, Reference files, includes clippings and printed matter collected by Kuhn and her Gray Panthers associates about various topics, including Kuhn’s public appearances and Gray Panthers activities. The series is arranged into two subgroups: “subject files” and “clippings.” Both are arranged alphabetically by subject, with more general, unclassified materials at the end of each section.

Subseries 3.8, Photographs, contains color and black and white photographs of various Gray Panthers, arranged chronologically.

Series 4, Photographs (PC-91), contains photographs depicting activities relating to the Gray Panthers and its founder Maggie Kuhn. These photos were originally part of Accessions 835 and 924.

Series 5, Accession 2015-7, contains three boxes including issues of the Twin Cities' chapter of Gray Panthers newsletter; a photo album documenting "Mid-American" chapter events from 1984 to 1999; and a scrapbook documenting Twin Cities 20th Anniversary celebration. There are also several audio/video recordings.

Series 6, Accession 2015-21, contains Board of Directors records; financial records including fund raising records, estate gifts, and annual reports; general administrative records including correspondence, policies, planning documents, and project records; chapter records; events and conventions records; publications, photographs, and ephemera; and a significant number of audiocassettes and video recordings including audio recordings of Board meetings and conventions, and Gray Panthers-related video recordings. Processing of approximately 180 floppy disks from this accession is underway.  These materials primarily relate to Board of Directors records. Information about their content will be added to the finding aid shortly. In the interim, please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Series 7: Website versions in Archive-It, 2000-2015, contains preserved versions of the Gray Panther’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Urban Archives Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4487

           

Patron Information

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: http://diamond.temple.edu/record=b5821301~S12

Research Access

Collection is open for research. Portions of personnel files in subseries 1.1.10, volunteer work applications in sub-subseries 1.1.14, client files in sub-subseries 1.13.1 and 1.13.2, and match cards in sub-series 1.13.2 and 1.13.8, are restricted until 75 years after the date of their creation.

Collections Stored Off-Site

This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to 48 hours to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.

Technical Access

Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Certain digital files may also be inaccessible. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Accruals

Additions to this collection are expected. Websites are captured using Archive-It periodically, and the latest additions may not yet be included in this finding aid. For information on material–physical and digital, including captured websites–that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Publication and Copyright Information

The Gray Panthers Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Gray Panthers Records, SCRC 27, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Related Material

Gray Panthers Network, 1974-. Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Maggie Kuhn Papers, RG 475, Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

The Gray Panthers Records were acquired by donation or transfer in several accessions. Accessions 835 (July 1996), 840 (October 1996), 857 (March 1997), 860 (March 1997), were donated by Sue Leary, Executrix of the Estate of Margaret (Maggie) Kuhn for the Gray Panthers and the Shared Housing Resource Center Collections.

Accessions 864 (July 1997), 924 (November 1999), and 1102 (June 2012) were transferred from the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa., segregated from the personal papers of Maggie Kuhn. These records originally came to the PHS from Maggie Kuhn and the Estate of Margaret (Maggie) Kuhn.

Accession 2015-7 was donated by Judy Lear, April 27, 2015. Accession 2015-21 was donated by Jim Dawson, July 9, 2015.

Processing Information

In November 1998, accessions 840, 857, 860, and 864 were incorporated into accession 835. This combined accession was processed and a finding aid prepared in 1999 by Sarah Sherman, Urban Archives Consultant, with funding provided by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Accession 924 was processed and a finding aid prepared in 2001 by Phil D’Andrea, Jack Gumbrecht, and Earle Spamer, in completion of requirements for Temple University’s History 624 course, Archives and Manuscripts.

Accession 1102 was originally processed at the Presbyterian Historical Society through funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project. The collection was minimally processed and the finding aid was created in January-February 2011 by Devin Manzullo-Thomas and Daniel Cavanaugh, and revised in July 2011 by Bill Brock, PHS Collection Management Archivist. Information for Temple University’s finding aid was generated from the PHS series descriptions and inventory by Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services, in 2012.

Finding aids were combined and revised according to contemporary archival standards in August 2015 by Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services. Accessions 2015-7 and 2015-21 were added to the finding aid in August 2016 by Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services.     

Separated Material

Personal papers of Maggie Kuhn were separated from the collection and transferred to the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2014. For more information contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Index Terms

The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:

Personal Names
Kuhn, Maggie, 1905-1995

Corporate Names
Gray Panthers
Shared Housing Resource Center
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

Subjects
Human rights workers
Justice
Old Age
Older people
Race relations
Retirement
Social action--United States
Social reformers--United States

Geographic Places
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Minneapolis (Minn.)
Saint Paul (Minn.)

Material Types
Audiocassettes
Books
Born digital
Case files
Clippings
Compact disks
Correspondence
Ephemera
Financial records
Floppy disks
Manuscripts
Minutes
Newsletters
Objects
Photographs
Posters
Publications
Reports
Scrapbooks
Slides
Sound recordings
Speeches
VHS (TM)
Video recordings
Web sites 

This finding aid is divided into 6 parts. Click on a link below to go to that page:

Collection Overview
Series 1: Accession 835, Subseries 1.1-Subseries 1.4
Series 1: Accession 835, Subseries 1.5-Subseries 1.17
Series 2: Accession 924
Series 3: Accession 1102
Series 4: Photographs, Series 5: Accession 2015-7, Series 6: Accession 2015-21,

Series 7: Website versions in Archive-It