The papers include correspondence, documents, and newspaper clippings relating primarily to the professional and civic activities of Andy J. Brown, Jr., in the City of St. Louis and in his west end neighborhood, presently Visitation Park. There are also a few items from Brown’s parents. The papers are arranged alphabetically by topic and date from 1892 to 2011. The bulk of the papers date from 1952 to 1973. Large date gaps exist from 1907 to 1929, 1942 to 1949, and 1988 to 2000. The earliest item in the collection is an autograph book belonging to Brown’s mother Bobbie Franklin when she was a schoolgirl in 1892. A household daybook lists weekly income and expenses, such as milk, ice, and vegetables. Names listed on the income pages recur over several months, indicating that possibly Mrs. Brown gave weekly lessons (B1/f.14). There are names listed in the front cover of the daybook which also appear in her autograph book. A file of form letters from the First National Company dating from 1936 to 1940 most likely belonged to Brown’s parents. Materials about Andy J. Brown, Jr. include two resumes, his obituary, newspaper clippings about Brown, various membership and business cards, and certificates (B1/f.2-3). The certificates include a resolution issued by the Board of Aldermen upon Brown’s retirement in 1994. Brown held several memberships including the NAACP, the St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Progress Lodge No. 657 of the Masons. In July 1965, Michael Brown, the Browns' son, was attacked by a group of African American teens at the Enright Middle School playground. A newspaper article recounts the story and there are several letters of support received by the family (B1/f.13). Documents relating to the Citizens' Association of the Public Schools (CAPS) pertain primarily to the 1961 election and date from 1960 to 1970. There are distribution lists for petitions circulated for each candidate backed by CAPS in 1961. There are also several news releases and newspaper clippings along with a brochure and a campaign poster for Andy J. Brown, Jr. However, he did not run in the 1961 election. Files relating to the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ date primarily between 1952 and 1958, which appear to have been reflective on the church’s role in society and service to its community. There is a 1941 brochure for the dedication of the Danforth Chapel and a 1980 memo regarding discrimination in the UCC. Andy was a deacon and he and Barbara were both active in the Doublets for young couples and with the planning and program committees. The 1956 report of a community survey made by the Euclid Congregational Church of Cleveland may have been distributed at Pilgrim in consideration of its planning efforts (B1/f.15). There are also several memorandums and documents relating to the Council for Social Action of the Congregational Christian Churches and to Pilgrim’s own Committee on Social Action (B2/f.6). The remainder of the collection focuses on civic organizations and St. Louis civic matters. Most relate to Brown’s activity on the Windemere Place Association, the West End Community Conference (WECC), and to his position as Commissioner of the St. Louis Council on Human Relations. Brown’s files on the Council of Human Relations contain news releases, brochures, and a clippings file with topics of interest which are not limited to St. Louis. One item of interest in the clippings file is an April 21, 1969, newsletter entitled blackboard: the underground newspaper of SIU blacks (B2/f.11). There are many newspaper clippings and memos about the Council, particularly about the call for Brown’s resignation and accusations of Council ineffectiveness in 1972. Mayor John H. Poelker appointed Gwen Giles to replace Brown in 1973. There are campaign items from Giles’ election to the Missouri State Senate (B1/f.17). The Browns moved to 6 Windemere Place in 1956 and resided there until after Andy’s retirement in 1994. The Windemere Place Association files contain some historical items which pre-date Brown’s involvement including meeting minutes from 1930, a brief history of Windemere Place, and a title report used in the history. Other items include meeting minutes, by-laws, some correspondence relating to street and utility work, and several newspaper clippings. The West End Community Conference (WECC) files contain a policy statement, assorted meeting minutes, and news articles and clippings. Additionally, there are three WECC newsletters which list board of directors, committees, and events such as a fall festival (September 1956, May-June 1958, and August 1958). There are blank questionnaires, letterhead, and membership record prototypes. An insurance folder explains that the WECC “has been furnishing free neighborhood insurance…to almost 25,000 people, owners, and people who work or otherwise have a social interest in this area of the city.” It was paid by 800 resident members. In his position with the city, Brown was acquainted with mayors and other area politicians such as U.S. Representative William L. Clay, from whom there are news releases and a 1968 campaign brochure. Mayor A.J. Cervantes appointed Brown Commissioner of the Council on Human Relations. There are memos and a few campaign items from Cervantes’ 1973 reelection campaign. There are also Christmas cards sent by Mayors Tucker, Conway, and Schoemehl. Brown’s efforts for integration in his own west end neighborhood were indicative of his support for the civil rights movement (B1/f.12). He participated in a panel on “Better Human Relations in Housing” at the 9th Annual Conference of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. on May 31, 1958. The Browns were listed as patrons in the program of the St. Louis Branch of the NAACP 2nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner in 1963. There is also a small black and white poster for 1970 viewings of the film King: Montgomery to Memphis in St. Louis theaters. Two blank greeting cards from Goodie Products, the first national line of African American greeting cards by Cleven Goudeau, provided humor for the late 1960s and early 1970s. As can be learned from Brown’s membership cards, he was active in several organizations. Membership information for organizations includes the Greater St. Louis Citizens' Committee for Nuclear Information (B1/f.18), the Inter-Association of Neighborhood Organizations in St. Louis (B1/f.19), and the Citizens' Council on Housing and Community Planning, whose cover states, “Housing Ought to be Everybody’s Business” (B1/f.20).