Organizational Note:

The Indianapolis U.S.O. Council was formally organized on May 7, 1941. Originating as a fund-raising organization, the U.S.O. Council began providing support for recreational activities for military personnel stationed in and around Indianapolis throughout World War II. The principal local organizations involved in the U.S.O. Council were the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the National Catholic Community Service, the Jewish Welfare Federation, the Salvation Army, and the National Travelers Aid Association. The chair of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council through most of this period was J. J. (Julian Jacob) Kiser. The Indianapolis U.S.O. Council was dissolved in 1946. For additional information on the history of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council, see the "Histories" folder (Box 3, Folder 7) in the Publicity and Historical Materials Series.

Scope and Content Note:

This collection documents the work of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council. Records include the correspondence of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council, administrative records, and publicity and historical pieces, as well as materials sent by the National U.S.O. The materials date from 1941-1947, with the bulk dating from 1942-1945. The collection documents the activities of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council, its relationships with the national and regional headquarters of the U.S.O. as well as with local organizations involved in the war effort, and provide incidental materials related to the provision of recreational facilities for African American servicemen. Principal correspondents include J. J. Kaiser, I. B. Rhodes, Clarence Goris, Frank Zoll, W. J. McLaughlin, and W. F. Goodell. There are also materials sent by government officials in Indiana.

Series Description:

Correspondence, 1941-1947

The bulk of the collection is the correspondence sent and received by Kiser and other members of the Council. This includes letters sent by the national and regional U.S.O. offices. Materials are arranged chronologically.

Administrative Records, 1941-1946

Included in this series are minutes from the board of directors, reports, financial records, and membership lists of council members. The original arrangement of the collection appears to have the records of the Jewish U.S.O. pulled together.  That system has been maintained.

Publicity and Historical Materials, 1941-1946

Included in this series are brochures and broadsides, press releases, radio scripts, and histories of the Indianapolis U.S.O. Council. Also included are programs and related publicity pieces, as well as some miscellaneous materials.

Box and Folder Listing:

Box 1.  Correspondence
		
Folder.	
1	Correspondence	Apr.-Sept. 1941
2	Correspondence	Oct.-Dec. 1941
3	Correspondence	Jan.-Feb. 1942
4	Correspondence	Mar. 1942
5	Correspondence	Apr. 1942
6	Correspondence	May 1942
7	Correspondence	June 1942
8	Correspondence	July-Aug. 1942
9	Correspondence	Sept.-Oct. 1942
10	Correspondence	Nov. -Dec. 1942
11	Correspondence	Jan. -Feb. 1943
		

Box 2.	Correspondence
	
Folder		
1	Correspondence	Mar. 1943
2	Correspondence	Apr.-July 1943
3	Correspondence	Aug.-Oct. 1943
4	Correspondence	Nov. -Dec. 1943
5	Correspondence	Jan. 1944
6	Correspondence	Feb. -Apr. 1944
7	Correspondence	May-Sept. 1944
8	Correspondence	Oct.-Dec. 1944
9	Correspondence	Jan.-Mar. 1945
10	Correspondence	Apr.-Aug. 1945
11	Correspondence	Sept.-Dec. 1945
12	Correspondence	Jan.-May 1946
13	Correspondence	June 1946-June 1947

Box 3.  Administrative Records

Publicity and Historical Materials	

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.