Curtis C. Chivers: An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by Shelby Edwards National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul, MN.

Manuscripts Collection

Finding aid encoded by Shelby Edwards November 2011. Finding aid written in English. OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Chivers, Curtis C. Curtis C. Chivers papers. 1924-1976. Materials in English. Correspondence, biographical data, minutes, reports, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbook, and printed material of a Minneapolis businessman and civil rights leader. 1.75 cubic feet (2 boxes). See Detailed Description for shelf locations. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Curtis Christie Chivers was born March 3, 1905 in Clarksville, Texas to Rose and Samuel Chivers. He married Louraine Ellis in September of 1929, and they had four daughters.

The Chivers family moved to Minneapolis in 1930, where Curtis took up work as a Pullman porter. They were active in many church, community, and business affairs. Curtis served as director of the Lake Street office of the Northwestern National Bank, member of the Minnesota Human Rights Commission, a trustee for St. Peter's African Methodist Episcopal Church, and an active delegate for numerous state, district, and county conventions. Curtis worked as an advertising manager for the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder. As a long time civil rights proponent, Curtis served as President of the Minneapolis-Dakota conference and chairman of the 10-State Fourth Region of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP].

Curtis Chivers died on June 30, 1976, preceded in death by Louraine in 1974.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: African American political activists -- Minnesota. African Americans -- Civil rights -- Minnesota. Civil rights movements -- Minnesota. Organizations: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Minneapolis branch. Places: Minneapolis (Minn.) -- Race relations. Document Types: Photographs. Occupations: Human rights workers -- Minnesota. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Curtis C. Chivers papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 12,114

 Processing Information:

Processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with a Basic Project grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Processed by: Shelby Edwards, November 2011

Catalog ID number: 001735103

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION 149.B.18.8F Biographical information, 1929-1976. Board of Human Rights, 1974-1975. Certificate of marriage between Louraine Ellis and Curtis C. Chivers, September 28, 1929. Citizens Community Development Corporation, 1975.

Includes by-laws, correspondence, and financial materials of a corporation aiding in the physical rehabilitation and redevelopment of at-risk areas.

 Civil rights, 1975.

Includes memos, press releases, and appellate court proceedings.

 Correspondence, 1947-1976. 5 folders. NAACP, 1960-1975. 6 folders.

Includes meeting minutes of the Region IV chapter, printed materials, press releases, correspondence, and miscellaneous related materials.

 News clippings, undated and circa 1944-1971. 2 folders. Photographs, undated, circa 1928-1970s.

Includes a high school portrait of Curtis, as well as several photographs taken at professional events.

 Speech materials, 1958, 1965. United Auto Workers union [UAW], 1975. Miscellaneous materials, undated, 1924-1976. 10 folders.

Includes awards, certificates, writings, correspondence, speeches, itineraries, memos, memberships, and miscellaneous ephemera relating to Curtis' work as a civil and human rights activist.

Oversize materials: Certificates, awards, and high school diploma, 1928, 1962-1975. 123.H.10.4F-2 Miscellaneous printed materials, 1954-1976. Scrapbook of an appreciation night for Curtis C. Chivers, June 14, 1974. 1 volume.