Americans United for Separation of Church and State Subject Files, 1953-2018

Summary Information

Abstract

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, founded in 1947, is a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to church-state separation. The Americans United Subject files are approximately 44 linear feet of secondary research material relating to the religious right and religion in government and schools. Over 300 organizations are represented, with most of the material consisting of clippings, mass mailings, and newsletters.

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is organized in one series, filed alphabetically by name. Within each file, materials are arranged reverse-chronologically.

• Series I: Subject Files, 1953-2010
• Series II: Archived Web Site, 2013-present

Description

Summary

The collection consists of the research and subject files of Americans United, a non-profit and non-partisan organization dedicated to church-state separation. Almost all of the 44 linear feet of research files relate to organizations associated with the religious right. Over 300 organizations and individuals are represented, as well as some materials filed by topic. The largest files include materials produced by the Chalcedon Foundation, the Christian Coalition, Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, Focus on the Family, and the Rutherford Institute. The bulk of the collection consists of clippings, mass mailings and donation requests from organizations, magazines and newsletters, and other secondary materials produced by the organizations. There is a small selection of speeches on audiocassette and videotape. There is also an internal self-study of Americans United that was conducted in 1963.

• Series I: Subject Files, 1953-2010

• Series II: Archived Web Site, 2013-present

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Americans United for Separation of Church and State Subject Files; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Material

Americans United for Separation of Church and State Records, Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library, Princeton University.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2010.2011.M059, 2010.2011.M081: Source of acquisition--Americans United. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--01/19/2011.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Sponsor Information

The processing of this collection was made possible through the generous support of the Office of the President, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Processing Information

Papers processed by Caitlin Goodman in 2013.

Finding aid written by Caitlin Goodman in January 2013.

Revision Description

2013-01-25 xml document instance created by Caitlin Goodman

2013-01-25 Website Archives series added by Jane Gorjevsky

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State was founded in 1947 as Protestants and Other Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The organization is non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian, and is dedicated to religious freedom and the firm separation of church and state. Americans United works to educate legislators and the public on issues of religious liberty and has more than sixty local chapters throughout the country. Under the aegis of Project Fair Play, the organization actively monitors the political activity of tax-exempt churches and religious organizations and reports violations to the IRS. Some of their current concerns include school vouchers, marriage and reproductive justice, and partisan intervention by churches.