The collection is comprised of files and five scrapbooks (disassembled) relating to the career and community activities of Mary Jane Kirtz. It is arranged into two series: Subject Files (1946-2005) and Women for City Living (1969-1994). Both series are arranged alphabetically by topic.

The two earliest scrapbooks in the Subject Files series contain primarily newspaper clippings and educational program brochures that relate to Mrs. Kirtz’s work at the Missouri Historical Society (Box 3-4). The second scrapbook includes a letter complimenting Mrs. Kirtz on the programs from Morton May, president of Famous Barr, who sponsored the educational programs (Vol.2, Box 4). In addition to the Missouri Historical Society items, Volume 1 also contains personal items such as Washington University’s commencement program for 1946, Kirtz’s invitation to join the Wednesday Club (29 Apr 1959), and newspaper clippings about her activities with the YWCA and the United Fund (Box 3). There is a 1955 certificate proclaiming her the president of the Tiger Club (presumably printed by Frank G. Kirtz). There is also a clipping announcing the marriage of Rae Ellen Davis to William B. Paddock.

Kirtz closely tracked the career of Mayor Alfonso Cervantes and especially his Maryland Plaza redevelopment project via newspaper reports. From the few notes written on the newspaper clippings, it was obvious that she did not approve of the mayor or his projects.

The remaining files and three scrapbooks comprise the Women for City Living series. The bulk of the items relate to the group from 1969 to 1973. In 1969, Kirtz was present at the Women for City Living planning meetings and served as secretary in its first years and as first vice president in 1971-1972. She kept notes on executive board meetings, public projects, and copies of the minutes from 1969 to 1973.

In January 1972, Women for City Living experienced dissention brought on by an internal power struggle among the board members, particularly between founders Delphine McClellan and Virginia Feinberg, and a disagreement over how to respond to a proposed 39-acre redevelopment in the Central West End. Kirtz kept notes on the dissention, which was reported in the newspapers, supporting the president and co-founder, Virginia Feinberg. Despite the internal strife, Women for City Living had 800 members in 1973. On 20 July 1977, it voted to disband and donate its treasury, $1400, to the St. Louis Art Museum.

The three scrapbooks are filled with newspaper clippings which document the group’s activities and discuss the issues which gained its attention along with correspondence, meeting announcements, press releases, and meeting minutes. The first scrapbook, Volume 3, dates primarily from 1969 to 1977 and documents the formation of Women for City Living and its demise (B2/f.11). Topics covered include: the Parkview Apartments (4451 Forest Park Ave.), the Lindell Beautiful campaign and award, and the Children’s Hospital proposed expansion over Kingshighway Boulevard (1979). The final item is a resignation letter (1 July 1991) in which the marketing director for Central West End North, Inc. cites difficulties working with Joyce Littlefield, a former Women for City Living member, as reasons for her departure.

The second scrapbook (Vol.4, Box 5) documents the group’s activities from 1969 to 1973, highlighting the myriad of issues in which Women for City Living became involved. Topics include: relocation of families from Pruitt-Igo to the Central West End, Woman’s Crusade Against Crime, location of U. S. Job Corp Center, public housing project (Parkview Apartments, 4451 Forest Park Ave.) against which two members filed a lawsuit, crime, neighborhood traffic flow, absentee/neglectful landlords, and awards to the group and its members.

The third Women for City Living scrapbook dates from 1972 to 1993; there are no items for 1976, 1979-1986, or 1988-1991 (Vol.5, Box 6). Many items in this volume relate to the internal discord which revolved around the 39-acre Central West End redevelopment proposal. Additional topics include: Central West End holiday events, recycle/paper drive, Lindell Beautiful (with photos), a proposed Forest Park parking lot for the Arena, letter from a St. Louis Art Museum curator regarding the French firescreen purchased with the group’s donation, legal proceedings against the former city housing chairman and a developer, and the demolition of the University House apartment building.

Please also see the Missouri Historical Society Library for the following publications:

1. Neighborhood Development Incentive Program: Developer’s Information by the City Plan Commission, St. Louis, Missouri, April 1971 (6 parts: Chapter 353 – Urban Redevelopment Corporations Law Procedure; C1 (DeBaliviere-Maryland Sub-Area 1: Waterman-DeBaliviere); C2 (DeBaliviere-Maryland Sub-Area 2: Waterman Blvd.); C3 (DeBaliviere-Maryland Sub-Area 3: Washington-Euclid); C4 (DeBaliviere-Maryland Sub-Area 4: Pershing-McPherson); C5 (DeBaliviere-Maryland Sub-Area 5: Maryland Expansion)

2. Saint Louis Riverfront Development Plan by City Plan Commission of Saint Louis, 1967

3. Central West End by St. Louis City Plan Commission, 1964 (43 pg., plates and maps)

4. St. Louis Forest Park by AIA St. Louis Chapter, Oct 28-Nov 1, 1976