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Friends of Olin and Emma Swenson (Eau Claire, Wis.) Collection, 1965-1982

 Collection
Identifier: University Historical Collection 313

Content Description

This small collection contains newspaper clippings on the activities of Olin and Emma Swenson, letters from friends and family sharing their recollections of the Swenson’s, correspondence, family photographs, a family history, Olin Swenson’s eulogy, and interviews with Olin and Emma Swenson on cassette tapes. The material was gathered by a committee, the Friends of Olin and Emma Swenson, in an effort to write a book on the couple and their activities.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965-1982

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Biographical/Historical Note

Olin and Emma Swenson were prominent activists in the fight for socialist causes in the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, area. Beginning in his youth, Olin Swenson organized lectures and debates concerning issues such as women’s suffrage and prohibition. In the early 1920s he founded a cooperative creamery on his farm. In 1924, he married Emma Bartz, his lifelong companion and partner in political activism. He supported the formation of the Group Health Cooperative and was involved with Northern Thunder to protest the construction of a nuclear plant in Durand. Olin Swenson was also the mastermind behind the formation of the Surplus Food program in Chippewa Falls in the 1960s. Olin Swenson died in October 1980. The Friends of Olin and Emma Swenson was formed in 1980 by University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire faculty and staff. The organization aimed to honor the Swenson’s’ lives and accomplishments by collecting documents and ultimately writing a book about them. It appears that the book was never written.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1/2 archives box)

Language of Materials

English

Summary

The collection contains materials relating to Olin and Emma Swenson, prominent activists in the fight for socialist causes in the Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, area. Materials include newspaper clippings, letters from friends and family sharing their recollections of the Swensons, correspondence, photographs, a family history, and interviews. The material was gathered by a committee, the Friends of Olin and Emma Swenson, in an effort to write a book on the couple and their activities.

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Special Collections & Archives, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire by the Friends of Olin and Emma Swenson in May 1982.

Accession Number

A10/3e

Digitized Materials

The interviews in this collection exist in an electronic format. Please consult Special Collections and Archives department staff for access.

Related Materials

“Let them eat their gold”: Olin and Emma Swenson and the National Farmers Holiday Association, 1931-1934, by Jacob N. Riehl (Special Collections Theses, call #: HD1485.N37 R48 2014)

Reference Code

UHC313

Processing Note

Processed by Lark Keating-Hadlock and Jamie Hoehn in October 2007.

Status
Published
Author
Julie Hatfield
Date
May 21, 2024
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
103 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701 United States
715-836-2739