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Guide to the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc. Records, 1991-2005
MSS 064
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- Records of the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc., Sister City program which document humanitarian, educational, cultural, economic, and other ties between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its sister city Dubna, Russia, located near Moscow. Records include history materials made up of an essay entitled “Reflections on a Sister-City Odyssey: La Crosse and Dubna” by Charles E. Hanson (2001), newspaper articles and clippings (1992-2004), materials on David Bell (1990-2003), and a book about Dubna written in Russian. Administrative materials include board of director minutes (2005), board and membership lists (1993- ), board meeting minutes and annual reports (1992-1996), correspondence (2004), financial reports (1994-1995), press releases and protocols (1991-1994), and newsletters (1990-1997). Programs include information on founding a Business College (1991-1992), Hands Across the Heartlands (1993-1995), Health partnerships (1992-2002), Municipal exchanges, Teacher exchanges, Veterans exchanges, and Russia Week (1996). Youth programs/exchanges include materials on Pioneer Camp (1991), Student exchange programs (1992-1994), and a thematic exchange called “Ecology of Big Waters” (1993-1994). Memorabilia includes a commemorative plate from Dubna, a decorative painted spoon, and a USAID Volunteer Award.
- Collection Title
- La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc. Records
- Date of Materials
- 1982-2007
- Creator
- La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc.
- Call Number
- MSS 064
- Amount
- 2.8 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 6 archives boxes, 1 flat box
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc. Records, MSS 064, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
The concept behind a sister city relationship is to bring people together from different countries in an effort to build bridges of understanding and goodwill. The relationship between Dubna, Russia, and La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, began in the 1980s when Dr. James Baumgaertner, a La Crosse dermatologist, worked as a peace activist with Dave Bell, a Dubna resident and American expatriate.
Dubna is a city built in 1954 as the home for the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. This facility developed the Soviet’s first nuclear weapons. In 1980, the city had 60,000 people, and it is located about 65 miles north of Moscow.
Lawyer Charles Hanson, president of the La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association, headed the first 20-member delegation to Dubna from La Crosse. Documents were signed in a public ceremony La Crosse on Aug. 5, 1990, although the La Crosse Common Council officially designated Dubna as a sister city on Dec. 8, 1988.
Over time, many people have been involved in various contingents and delegations. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse have both been very involved in exchange of information and cultural activities.
Two humanitarian efforts undertaken by the La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association include Hands Across the Heartlands I and II. This was an area wide food, clothing and medical supplies drive, and items were donated and sent to Dubna. Dubna was experiencing a particularly severe winter. Two separate drives occurred; the first in 1992 was airlifted to Dubna and accompanied by a 16-member delegation; the second in 1993 was sent by sea.
Other efforts have involved student exchange programs in 2002 and 2004. The Association continues its efforts today to strengthen the ties between La Crosse and Dubna.
Scope and Contents
Records of the La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association’s Sister City program which document humanitarian, educational, cultural, economic, and other ties between La Crosse, Wisconsin, and its sister city Dubna, Russia, located near Moscow. Records are divided into five series: History, Administrative materials, Programs, Youth Programs/Exchanges, and Memorabilia.
Arrangement
Arranged in five series:
Series 2: Administrative Materials
Series 4: Youth Programs and Exchanges
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 2000-2005
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Revision Description
Benjamin Lang, 2012
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
(Accession nos. 1997.019, 1999.002, 1999.029) Donated by Karen Hoel, La Crosse/Dubna Friendship Assoc., 1997-1999.
(Accession no. 2001.043) Donated by Bob Daley, La Crosse Rotary Club, 2001.
(Accession no. 2002.023) Donated by Karen Hoel, La Crosse Dubna Friendship Assoc., July 2002.
(Accession no. 2012.047) Donated by Maureen Jameson, La Crosse Dubna Friendship Assoc., September 2012.
Processing Information
Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, July 2000. Additions processed by Christine Stolz, Apr. 2005, and Benjamin Lang, November, 2012.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- La Crosse Dubna Friendship Association, Inc.
Geographic Name(s)
- Dubna (Russia)--Social life and customs
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Social life and customs
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
Subject(s)
- Sister cities--Russia--Dubna
- Sister cities--Wisconsin--La Crosse
OCLC Number
47706644
Collection Inventory
(Series 1) History |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Bell, David, 1990-2003 |
6 | 4 | |||||
|
Book about Dubna presented by Mayor V. E. Prokh, undated |
1 | 3 | |||||
|
Clippings, 1992-1993 |
6 | 7 | |||||
|
Newspaper articles, 2000-2004 |
1 | 2 | |||||
|
Overview of organization as remembered by Charles Hanson, First president of LDFA, 2001 |
6 | 6 | |||||
|
Project overviews, undated |
6 | 9 | |||||
|
Reflections on a Sister-City Odyssey: La Crosse and Dubna by Charles E. Hanson, 2001 |
1 | 1 | |||||
|
Reminiscences, clippings, and studies, 1982-2001 |
6 | 3 | |||||
|
State and US National Sister City Partnerships, 1992-1994 |
6 | 8 | |||||
|
Worrier of the Day booklet from first sister city delegation to Dubna, 1990 |
6 | 5 | |||||
|
|
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(Series 2) Administrative Materials |
|||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Board of Directors meeting minutes, 2005 |
1 | 4 | |||||
|
Board and membership lists, 1993 |
6 | 12 | |||||
|
Board meeting minutes and annual reports, 1992-1996 |
7 | 3 | |||||
|
Correspondence, 2004 |
1 | 5 | |||||
|
Financial reports, 1994-1995 |
6 | 11 | |||||
|
Media press releases and protocols, 1991-1994 |
7 | 1 | |||||
|
Newsletters, 1990-1997 |
1 | 6 | |||||
|
Official documents and bylaws, 1990-1996 |
7 | 2 | |||||
|
Tax exemption status, 1993-1994 |
6 | 10 | |||||
|
|
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(Series 3) Programs |
|||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Business College, 1991-1992 |
3 | 6 | |||||
|
Hands Across the Heartlands, 1992-1995 |
3 | 7 | |||||
|
Hands Across the Heartlands I |
|||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Background, 1992 |
2 | 1 | |||||
|
Diplomatic, 1992 |
2 | 2 | |||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Hands Across the Heartlands II, 1993 |
2 | 3 | |||||
|
Health partnership, 1992-2002 |
3 | 4 | |||||
|
Media exchange, 1990-1992 |
3 | 5 | |||||
|
Medical, 1991-1994 |
1 | 9 | |||||
|
Municipal Delegation Exchange, 1993-1994 |
1 | 5 | |||||
|
Other projects, 1994-1996 |
3 | 8 | |||||
|
Teacher exchange, 1992-1994 |
1 | 10 | |||||
|
Russia Week, 1996 |
|||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Budget |
2 | 8 | |||||
|
Correspondence |
2 | 12 | |||||
|
Events |
2 | 5 | |||||
|
Expenses |
2 | 9 | |||||
|
Local arrangements |
2 | 10 | |||||
|
Meeting notes, participants, publicity |
2 | 13 | |||||
|
Proposal |
2 | 6 | |||||
|
Proposed activities |
2 | 7 | |||||
|
Russian visitors folder |
2 | 4 | |||||
|
UW-L arrangements |
2 | 11 | |||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
Veterans exchange, 1994-1995 |
3 | 9 | |||||
|
|
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(Series 4) Youth Programs and Exchanges |
|||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
"Ecology of Big Waters" thematic exchange, 1993-1994 |
3 | 3 | |||||
|
Exchange program, 1992-1994 |
3 | 2 | |||||
|
Pen Pal guide |
1 | 12 | |||||
|
Pioneer Camp, 1991 |
3 | 1 | |||||
|
Scouts, 1992 |
1 | 11 | |||||
|
Student Exchange booklet |
1 | 7 | |||||
|
Student Exchange grant proposal, 1992-1995 |
1 | 8 | |||||
| Box | Folder | Box | Folder | Box | Box | Folder | |
|
Student exchange materials, 1991-2005 |
1 | 6 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 1-2 |
|
|
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(Series 5) Memorabilia |
|||||||
| Box | |||||||
|
Commemorative plate |
4 | ||||||
|
Painted spoon |
4 | ||||||
| Box | Folder | ||||||
|
US AID volunteer award, 2007 |
7 | 4 | |||||
|
|
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