Skip to main content

Lorraine H. Morton (1918-2018) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 31/6/140

Scope and Contents

The collection consists mainly of two types of material spanning Morton’s life and work as mayor of Evanston from 1993 to 2009: paper materials and three-dimensional awards. The paper materials are held in five full-sized boxes and one oversized box. The awards are held in 11 full-sized boxes and three oversized boxes. Seven of the full-sized boxes and two of the oversized boxes contain 42 award plaques. Four of the full-sized boxes and two oversized boxes contain 23 variously shaped awards made of glass and plastic.

The materials on paper consist of records from both Morton’s mayoral work and her personal life. They are organized into: biographical materials, correspondence, political files, speeches, and oversized biographical materials.

In the biographical section, the newspaper clippings and periodicals detail Morton’s work as mayor; the clippings also cover her campaigns for public office. The event programs are for civic events, Northwestern University events, and local school events.

The correspondence features personal correspondence, and letters written to Morton by various officials and community members during her time as mayor and as school principal.

The political files contain campaign material, including donation information and documents from her terms as Evanston’s mayor.

The awards presented to Morton by local and national organizations consist of traditional plaques and three-dimensional glass or plastic awards. Both were given to Morton for service as mayor of Evanston; the plaques also for her service as principal of Evanston Schools.

Dates

  • 1942-2014

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on use of the materials in the department for research; all patrons must comply with federal copyright regulations.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored at a remote campus location and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

22.00 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

After completing graduate studies at Northwestern University, Lorraine Hairston Morton was a teacher and principal in Evanston’s District #65. She served as the mayor of Evanston, Illinois from 1993 to 2009. Her Papers include six boxes of documents including speeches, correspondence, event programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, periodicals, and campaign information detailing her leadership. 15 boxes contain awards given to Morton for her service.

Arrangement

The materials on paper are organized into: biographical materials (personal materials; clippings; programs), correspondence (arranged by category and date), political files, speeches (by topic and date), and oversized biographical materials. The awards are organized into placques (arranged by size and date), and other awards (arranged by shape and date).

Method of Acquisition

Speeches, clippings, buttons, and a Morton for Mayor car topper were donated to the Northwestern University Archives by Elizabeth M. Brasher, Lorraine Morton’s daughter, on May 25, 2012 as Accession #12-96. The first addition was donated by Lorraine Morton on March 12, 2013 as Accession #13-84 and included clippings, cards, buttons, letters, and photographs. A second addition was donated by Ms. Morton on March 18, 2012 as Accession #12-97 and included 1993 mayoral campaign materials. The third addition to the collection, donated by Ms. Morton on May 9, 2014 as Accession #14-60 included awards and letters.

Title
Guide to the Lorraine H. Morton (1918-2018 ) Papers
Author
Owen Hemming, Emily Davidson and Hannah Springer
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Repository Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635