Table of Contents
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Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids
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| Collection |
| Title: | Sara R. Ehrmann papers |
| Dates: | 1845-1988 (bulk 1924-1988) |
| Call Number: | M39 |
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Series:
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1. Geographical Files, 1845-1992 (bulk dates 1925-1969)
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| Volume: | 7.8 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Alphabetically by state; foreign contries follow |
| Summary: |
This series documents capital punishment in the United States (with the exception of Wyoming) and in a small number of foreign countries. Coverage of Massachusetts is extensive. Topics covered include capital punishment, civil rights, crime and justice, government, government officials, and individuals and organizations opposed to capital punishment.
Researchers should be aware that there is some overlap between this series and Series 2. This series contains sparse correspondence with some individuals documented in Series 2, Subseries B. Series 2, Subseries C contains material largely related to Massachusetts. Files on the United Prison Association and the Massachusetts Correctional Association are located in Series 2, Subseries A. Audiotapes relating to the Norfolk Lifers Group (7 cassettes) and Radio Free Norfolk (2 cassettes) can be found in Series 6.
Although correspondence and publications generated by the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and the Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty are concentrated in Series 4, small amounts also appear in this series and in Series 2. |
| Box | Title | Date |
| United States | |
| 1-2 | | Alabama – Delaware | |
| 2, 47 | | District of Columbia | |
| 2 | | Florida – Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| 2 | | General | |
| 2-3 | | Subjects, A-Z | |
| 3, FF5/D8 | | Organizations, A-Z | |
| Government | |
| 3 | | Executive | |
| 3 | | Judicial | |
| 3-5, 47 | | Legislative | |
| 5-6 | | Michigan | |
| 6 | | Minnesota – New York | |
| 7 | | North Carolina – Wisconsin | |
| 7 | | Puerto Rico | |
| Foreign Countries | |
| 7 | | Algeria – Canada | |
| 8 | | Ceylon - Venezuela | |
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Series:
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2. Subject Files, 1849-1991 (bulk dates 1925-1980)
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| Volume: | 13.9 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Organized alphabetically into 3 subseries: A.) Subjects; B.) Individuals; and C.) Newspaper Clippings |
| Summary: |
This series documents topics related to capital punishment and criminal justice. It also documents individual opponents and supporters of capital punishment as well as other prominent individuals. Researchers should be aware that there is some overlap between this series and Series 1. Sparse correspondence with some individuals documented Subseries B. can also be found in Series 1 under the appropriate state. Although correspondence and publications generated by the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and the Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty are concentrated in Series 4, a small amount can be found in this series and in Series 1.
Subseries A documents capital punishment, efforts to abolish it, and other related topics. Topics of special interest include: cartoons, crime, criminal justice, death row, executions and executioners, innocence, kidnapping, legislation and legislators, lifers, prisons and prisoners, religious organizations, the Sacco and Vanzetti case, and crime statistics. In addition there are files on organizations opposed to capital punishment such as the Anti-Capital Punishment League, Citizens Against Legalized Murder, and the United Prison Association (later renamed Massachusetts Correctional Association, but filed under United Prison Association). Researchers should be aware that information on some of these organizations may also be found in Series 1 under the appropriate state. There are also two audiocassettes and one videotape concerning the Sacco and Vanzetti case in Series 6. The Norfolk Lifers Group is found in Series 1 under Massachusetts (box 2, folder 71 and box 3, folders 1-2). There are also seven audiocassettes related to the Norfolk Lifers Group and two audiocassettes related to Radio Free Norfolk in Series 6.
Subseries B consists of folders on individuals, which contain correspondence and/or collected information such as articles, editorials and newspaper clippings. The individuals documented in this series include: state and federal officials, proponents and opponents of capital punishment, and other prominent individuals. Also included are contributors, members, and officers of the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and of the Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Some of the more well-known individuals include: Hugo Bedau, Herbert Cobin, Clarence Darrow, Crosby Forbes, Victor Friend, Arthur Garfield Hays, Sumner Kaplan, Lewis Lawes, Donal MacNamara, Herbert Parsons, Vivian Pierce, Thorsten Sellen, and Miriam van Waters. Sparse correspondence and collected information exists on a number of prominent individuals, notably: James M. Curley, Michael Dukakis, Henry Ford, Felix Frankfurter, William Randolph Hearst, J. Edgar Hoover, and Karl Menninger.
Subseries C consists of newspaper clippings mainly from Boston- area newspapers organized into three broad topics: capital punishment, murder cases, and other subjects. The bulk of this material relates to Massachusetts. |
| Box | Title | Date |
| Subseries A: Subjects | |
| 8 | | A – Ant | |
| 9, 47 | | Att – Con | |
| 10 | | Cor – H | |
| 11 | | I – Mag | |
| 12, 47 | | Med – Pre | |
| 13 | | Pre – Rel | |
| 14 | | Rel – Sac | |
| 15 | | Sac – Uni | |
| 16 | | Uni – Y | |
| Subseries B: Individuals | |
| 16 | | A – Doy | |
| 17 | | Dri – K | |
| 18 | | L – Ran | |
| 19 | | Rea – Z | |
| Subseries C: Newspaper Clippings | |
| 41 | | Capital Punishment | |
| 42 | | Murder Cases | |
| 41-42 | | Other Subjects | |
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Series:
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3. Case Files, ca. 1857-1992 (bulk dates 1924-1980)
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| Volume: | 12.0 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Alphabetically by state, then by case name. |
| Summary: |
This series consists of information on prisoners from throughout the United States, with the exception of Alaska. The most common offense for which the prisoners were sentenced is murder, but other crimes are represented, notably rape.
Cases for which there is only a small amount of information have been grouped alphabetically into general folders under each state. Cases in which multiple persons were involved are filed under the name of the person whose name comes first alphabetically.
This series consists mainly of newspaper clippings; however, there are also pamphlets, flyers, informational cards and correspondence from the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and the Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty. Correspondence between Sara R. Ehrmann and various prisoners can be found in this series and in the Norfolk Lifers Group folders filed under Massachusetts in Series 1 (box 2, folder 71 and box 3, folders 1-2), and in Series 5. Researchers should also be aware that some material pertaining to individual cases may be found in Series 2, Subseries C; these are mainly Massachusetts cases from the 1970s and 1980s.
Documentation of the Sacco and Vanzetti case is found in Series 2 (box 14, folders 8-35 and box 15, folders 1-12). There are also two audiocassettes and one videotape concerning the Sacco and Vanzetti case in Series 6. |
| Box | Title | Date |
| 20 | Alabama – Arkansas | |
| California | |
| 20 | | A – Moo | |
| 21 | | Mor – Z | |
| 21 | Colorado – Florida | |
| Georgia | |
| 21 | | A – F | |
| 22 | | H – W | |
| 22 | Hawaii – Louisiana | |
| 23 | Maine – Maryland | |
| Massachusetts | |
| 23 | | A - Bon | |
| 24 | | Bon – Coo | |
| 25 | | Cot – Ker | |
| 26 | | Ker – Nik | |
| 27 | | Nob – Y | |
| 28 | Michigan – New Mexico | |
| New York | |
| 28 | | A – C | |
| 29 | | C- Z | |
| 29 | North Carolina – Oklahoma | |
| 30 | Oregon – Rhode Island | |
| 31 | South Carolina – Wyoming | |
| 31 | State Unknown | |
| 31 | Federal Cases | |
| 31 | Military Cases | |
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Series:
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4. Organizations, ca. 1890-1992 (bulk dates 1969)
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| Volume: | 6.4 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Organized alphabetically into 3 subseries: A.) American League to Abolish Capital Punishment; B.) Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty; and C.) Combined American League/Massachusetts Council. |
| Summary: |
This series documents two distinct organizations that eventually worked together in the same location under the direction of Sara R. Ehrmann.
The series includes: annual reports, bibliographies, bylaws, correspondence, financial and fund-raising records, flyers, informational cards, minutes and other information about meetings, membership lists, letters requesting information, and speaker's notes. There are also collected publications, publications produced by the two organizations, and reprints of articles that appeared in the press.
Subseries C consists of informational cards, other organizations' publications, and reprints produced by either the American League and the Massachusetts Council.
The bulk of material in this collection relating to and generated by the American League to Abolish Capital Punishment and Massachusetts Council to Abolish the Death Penalty is concentrated in this series. However, researchers should be aware that correspondence, publications, and press reprints generated by the two organizations can also be found elsewhere in the collection. Throughout Series 1, there is sparse correspondence between the two organizations and other organizations and individuals opposed to capital punishment. Information on and correspondence with officers and supporters of the two organizations can also be found in Series 2, Subseries B (boxes 16- 19). Sparse material documenting the two organizations' work on individual capital cases may be found in Series 3. |
| Box | Title | Date |
| Subseries A: American League to Abolish Capital Punishment | |
| 32 | | Active States | 1953 |
| 32 | | Annual Meetings (3 folders) | 1937-1947 |
| 32 | | Annual Reports | 1930-1971 |
| 32 | | Audit Correspondence | 1939-1941 |
| 32 | | Audits (13 folders) | 1925-1944 |
| 32 | | Bank Resolutions | 1945 |
| 32 | | Bequests | n.d., 1933-1948, 1964 |
| 32 | | Bibliographies | 1956, 1968 |
| 32 | | Board Contributions | 1955-1956 |
| 32 | | Board of Directors Meeting Minutes (23 folders) | 1925-1960 |
| | Card Files | |
| 43 | | | Members | n.d. |
| 43 | | | Officers | n.d. |
| 32 | | Clemency Appeals | n.d., 1955-1969 |
| 32 | | Constitution and Bylaws | 1936 |
| 32 | | Correctional Council Minutes | 1937-1969 |
| 32 | | Correspondence (3 folders) | 1927-1976 |
| 32 | | Finance (14 folders) | n.d., 1930-1971 |
| 32 | | Fundraisers and Lists | n.d., 1952-1964 |
| 32 | | Fund-raising (4 folders) | 1938-1968 |
| 32 | | History | 1940 |
| 32 | | Hoffman, Frederick L. | 1928-1939 |
| 32 | | Incorporation | n.d., 1929, 1952 |
| 32 | | Individuals Against the Death Penalty | 1939-1941 |
| 32 | | Legislative Committee | n.d., 1941 |
| 32 | | Letterhead | n.d. |
| 32 | | "A Look at Capital Punishment" (Conference Papers) | 1956 |
| 32 | | Mailing Analysis | 1953 |
| 32 | | Mailing List | 1970 |
| 32 | | Meetings (5 folders) | n.d., 1925-1969 |
| 32 | | Members, Membership (6 folders) | 1943-1970 |
| 33 | | Miscellaneous (4 folders) | n.d., 1938-1982 |
| 33 | | Move to Massachusetts | 1949 |
| 33 | | New York | n.d. |
| 33 | | New York Charitable Foundations Registration | 1967 |
| 33 | | New York: Proposal for New York National Office: Correspondence | 1966 |
| 33 | | Officers (2 folders) | 1950-1958 |
| 33 | | Orders for Material | 1932-1939, 1952-1968 |
| 33 | | Organization of Local Committees | n.d., 1953-1959 |
| 33 | | Publications | n.d., [1920]-1971 |
| 33 | | Reorganization | n.d., 1951-1953 |
| 33 | | Reports and Press Releases | 1928-1932 |
| 33 | | Requests for Material and Information (15 folders) | n.d., 1931-1965 |
| 33 | | Resumes and Applications | 1950-1966 |
| 49 | | Seal | ca. 1929 |
| 33 | | Speakers | n.d., 1931-1966 |
| 33 | | Speakers Notes | n.d., 1927-1945 |
| 33 | | State Abolition Groups | n.d., 1963-1969 |
| 33 | | State Committees | 1969-1971 |
| 33 | | Taxes (2 folders) | 1930-1963 |
| 33 | | Treasurer's Reports (7 folders) | 1951-1965 |
| 33 | | Victory Meeting (2 folders) | 1965 |
| 33 | | von Roosehlaub, Ruth | 1936-1938 |
| 33 | | Western Council | 1948 |
| Subseries B: Massachusetts Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty | |
| 34 | | Administrative Records (2 folders) | n.d., 1937-1969 |
| 34 | | Advisory Council | 1928, 1930 |
| 34 | | Authorities (3 folders) | n.d., 1931-1967 |
| 34 | | Board of Directors | n.d., 1967-1976 |
| 34 | | Board of Governors (12 folders) | 1956-1968 |
| 34 | | Board Meetings | 1967-1969 |
| 34 | | Brookline Redevelopment Authority | 1966-1967 |
| 34 | | Bylaws | 1930-1947 |
| | Card Files | |
| 44 | | | Members | n.d. |
| 44 | | | Officers | n.d. |
| 34 | | Community Action Committee | n.d., 1965-1968 |
| 34 | | Contacts | n.d., 1947-1949 |
| 34 | | Contacts - Constituents | n.d., 1961-1977 |
| 34-35 | | Correspondence (31 folders) | n.d., 1927-1982 |
| 35 | | Deaths | n.d., 1952-1957, 1985 |
| 35 | | Endorsements (5 folders) | n.d., 1929-1953, 1963-1965 |
| 35 | | Executive Committee | 1968 |
| 35 | | Executive Secretary's Reports | 1929-1933 |
| 35 | | Finance (7 folders) | n.d., 1938-1970 |
| 35 | | Finance Appeals | n.d., 1931-1959 |
| 35 | | Finance Audit | 1941 |
| 35 | | Finance Campaign | 1948 |
| 35 | | Finance Committee (2 folders) | n.d., 1947-1950, 1956, 1966 |
| 35 | | Finance – Lobbying Costs | 1956 |
| 35 | | Finance Reports (4 folders) | 1940-1966 |
| 35 | | Fund-Raising | n.d., 1940-1969 |
| 35 | | Hearings (4 folders) | 1941-1962 |
| 35 | | History | n.d., 1943-1990 |
| 35 | | Incorporation | 1947-1949 |
| 35 | | Interdenominational Committee | n.d., 1964 |
| 35 | | Interfaith Clergy Committee | 1967 |
| 35 | | Key Names (3 folders) | n.d., 1935-1963 |
| 35 | | Leading Spokesmen Quotes | n.d., 1953-1966 |
| 35 | | Ledger | 1930-1932 |
| 35 | | Legacies | n.d., 1951-1959 |
| 35 | | Legislative Campaign Printing and Publicity | 1941 |
| 35 | | Legislators (2 folders) | n.d., 1943-1962 |
| 35 | | Letters to the Editor | 1931-1969 |
| 35 | | Lobbying (3 folders) | n.d., 1931-1975 |
| 35 | | Mailings to Membership | 1968-1970 |
| | Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty | |
| 35 | | | Board Meetings | 1983-1991 |
| 35 | | | General | n.d., 1983-1992 |
| | Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty Fund | |
| 35 | | | Board Meetings | 1985-199? |
| 35 | | | General | n.d., 1985-1991 |
| 35 | | | Herbert and Sara Ehrmann Award | 1985-1991 |
| 36 | | Meetings (4 folders) | n.d., 1932, 1940-1975 |
| 36 | | Membership | n.d., 1956-1975 |
| 36 | | Miscellaneous (2 folders) | n.d., 1929-1966 |
| 36 | | Office Space | n.d., 1949-1967 |
| 36 | | Officers | 1939-1941, 1967 |
| 36 | | Organizational Material for Brochure/Letterhead | 1968-1969 |
| FF5/D8 | | Poster | 1941 |
| 36 | | Publications (3 folders) | n.d., 1928-1969 |
| 36 | | Publicity | n.d., 1955-1957 |
| 36 | | Research | n.d., ca. 1930-1963 |
| 36 | | Sample Letters, etc. | 1969 |
| 36 | | Speakers Notes | n.d. |
| 36 | | Sponsor Lists | n.d. |
| 36 | | Taxes | n.d., 1956-1966 |
| 36 | | Treasurer's Reports | 1946-1948 |
| 36 | | Women's Committee | n.d., 1941, 1956-1965 |
| Subseries C: Combined American League/Massachusetts Council | |
| 45 | | Informational Cards | n.d. |
| 36 | | Collected Publications: Other Organizations | ca. 1890-1970 |
| 36-37 | | Reprints (11 folders) | ca. 1890-1970 |
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Series:
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5. Personal Files, 1906-1993 (bulk dates 1950-1990)
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| Volume: | 3.4 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Alphabetical |
| Summary: |
This series contains information on Sara R. Ehrmann and her community activism, including work on behalf of Jewish and women's organizations. Materials include: awards, biographical information, correspondence (including cards and letters from prisoners), interviews, photographs and slides, and some of Ehrmann's writings.
Researchers should note that correspondence between Sara R. Ehrmann and prisoners can also be found in the Norfolk Lifers Group folders filed under Massachusetts in Series 1 (box 2, folder 71 and box 3, folders 1-2) and scattered throughout Series 3. Audiotaped and videotaped interviews with Ehrmann, an audiocassette of a Boston University Law School panel in which she participated, and an audiocassette related to the Community Church of Boston's Sacco and Vanzetti Award given to Ehrmann in 1982 can be found in Series 6. The audiotaped interviews in Series 6 are different from the printed interviews found in this series. |
| Box | Title | Date |
| 37, 47 | American Jewish Committee | n.d., 1947-1991 |
| 37 | American Jewish Congress | 1982, 1985 |
| 37 | American Jewish Historical Society | n.d., 1977 |
| 37 | American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee | n.d., 1941 |
| 37 | American Society of Criminology | 1961-1984 |
| 37 | Articles | n.d., ca. 1931-1963 |
| 37 | Associated Jewish Philanthropies | n.d., 1940-1947 |
| Awards and Citations | |
| 37 | | Abraham T. Alper Award | 1982, 1984 |
| FF5/D8 | | Abraham T. Alper Award Certificate | 1982 |
| | Commonwealth of Massachusetts | |
| 37 | | | Sara R. Ehrmann Day Proclamation | 1985 |
| 37 | | | State Senate Citation | 1985 |
| 37 | | Fannie R. Bigelow Award | n.d., 1931, 1952-1955 |
| 37 | | Hecker Award | 1981 |
| FF5/D8 | | Hecker Award Certificate | 1981 |
| 37 | | Lane Bryant Award | n.d., 1966-1971 |
| FF5/D8 | | Massachusetts Citizens Against the Death Penalty | 1993 |
| 37 | | Miscellaneous | ca. 1940, 1971-1977 |
| 37 | | Norman S. Rabb Merit Award | 1970-1971 |
| 49 | | Norman S. Rabb Trophy | 1971 |
| 37 | | Sacco-Vanzetti Memorial Award | 1982 |
| FF5/D8 | | Sacco-Vanzetti Award Certificate | 1982 |
| 37 | Badges | n.d. |
| 37 | Beth Israel Hospital Volunteer Service | n.d., 1942, 1951 |
| 37 | Billy Sunday Manuscript | 1976 |
| 37 | Biographical (4 folders) | n.d., ca. 1912-1990 |
| 37 | Brookline | n.d., 1950-1991 |
| 37 | Brookline Selectman | 1946, 1960 |
| 37 | "Capital Punishment Today – Why?" | n.d., 1958-1960 |
| Card Files | |
| 45 | | Bibliography | n.d. |
| 45-46 | | Contacts | n.d. |
| 46 | | Notes | n.d. |
| 37 | Charities | n.d., 1971-1989 |
| 37 | Combined Jewish Philanthropies | 1965, 1978, 1983-1993 |
| 37-38 | Correspondence (11 folders) | n.d., 1915-1993 |
| 38, FF5/D8 | Correspondence with Prisoners | n.d., 1940, 1952, 1967-1992 |
| 38 | Education | 1908-1937, 1982 |
| 38 | Ehrmann Family | n.d., 1948-1991 |
| 38 | Ehrmann, Herbert B. (5 folders) | n.d., 1914-1972 |
| 38 | "For Whom the Chair Waits" (3 folders) | n.d., 1957, 1961-1962 |
| 47 | Harvard Agreement | 1971 |
| 38 | Inaugural Invitation | 1977 |
| 38 | Interviews (2 folders) | n.d., 1977-1990 |
| 39 | Jewish Community Council | 1975-1977 |
| 39 | League of Women Voters | n.d., 1944-1992 |
| 39 | Legislative Testimony | 1953-1966 |
| 39 | Mailing Lists | n.d., 1960-1970 |
| 39 | National Refugee Service | 1941 |
| 39 | Northeastern University (4 folders) | n.d., 1967-1992 |
| 39 | Notes (9 folders) | n.d. |
| 39-40 | Notepads and Address Books (6 folders) | n.d., 1930-1986 |
| 40 | Obituaries and Memorial Services | n.d., 1944-1990 |
| 40 | Other (3 folders) | n.d. |
| 40 | Photographs (2 folders) | n.d., 1942-1987 |
| 40 | Public Appearances | n.d., 1935-1968 |
| 40 | Slides | 1981 |
| 40 | Rosenfeld, Roy | n.d., 1906-1981 |
| 40 | Sara R. Ehrmann Foundation | n.d., 1971-1985 |
| 40 | Sharon, Massachusetts High School | 1977, 1986 |
| 40 | Slides | 1981 |
| 40 | Speeches (4 folders) | n.d., 1939-1990 |
| 40 | Star Island Conferences | n.d., 1972-1978 |
| 40 | Theater | n.d., 1924, 1935 |
| 40 | United Jewish Campaign | n.d., 1938-1978 |
| 40 | United Nations Conference | 1970 |
| 40 | U.S.O. Greater Boston Soldiers and Sailors Committee | 1944-1945 |
| 40 | University of Rochester | n.d., 1917-1953 |
| 40 | Will | n.d., 1975-1984 |
| 40 | Woman's Organizations, Various | n.d., 1973 |
| 40 | Writing | n.d., 1939-1982 |
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Series:
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6. Audio/Visual Materials, n.d., 1967-1990
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| Volume: | 0.3 cubic ft. |
| Arrangement: |
Alphabetical by medium. |
| Summary: |
This series consists of audio and video tapes, including interviews with Sara R. Ehrmann , prisoners, and others. There is also a VHS tape of a television program on the Sacco and Vanzetti case. Additional documentation of the Sacco and Vanzetti case is found in Series 2 (box 14, folders 8-35 and box 15, folders 1-12). Additional documentation of the Norfolk Lifers Group can be found in Series 1 (box 2, folder 71 and box 3, folders 1-2). |
| Box | Title | Date |
| Audiocassettes | |
| 48 | | Boston University School of Law Panel, including Hugo Bedau, William Homans, Joseph Ingle, and Sara R. Ehrmann | n.d. |
| 48 | | Community Church of Boston, Sacco and Vanzetti Award to Sara R. Ehrmann, address by Max Stern | 18 April 1982 |
| 48 | | Norfolk Lifers Group (7 cassettes) | n.d. |
| | Radio Free Norfolk | |
| 48 | | | Interview with Hugo Bedau | 31 October 1979 |
| 48 | | | "John Kerrigan: Villain or Victim" | 19 July 1979 |
| 48 | | Sacco and Vanzetti, Dukakis Proclamation | 22 August 1977 |
| | Sara R. Ehrmann Interviews | |
| 48 | | | 12 August 1990 | |
| 48 | | | On Sacco and Vanzetti | n.d. |
| 48 | | | With Dr. William Alberts (2 cassettes) | 11 March 1982 |
| 48 | | | With Michael Sussmann (6 cassettes) | 1978 |
| Open Reel Audiotape | |
| 48 | | Unidentified | December 1967 |
| VHS Tapes | |
| 48 | | Sacco and Vanzetti "Chronicle" Program | 12 March 1986 |
| 48 | | Sara R. Ehrmann Interview with Alan Stoskopf of Brookline High School | 24 June 1986 |
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