Dublin Core
Title
Finding Aid for Ilse Adler Papers
Subject
Mental health
State hospitals
Community activists
Description
The collection contains papers and ephemera concerning the efforts of Ilse Adler in founding The Friendship Center and her employment through the Traverse City State Hospital.
Creator
Colleen Marquis
Source
TADL Local History Collection, Woodmere
Publisher
TADL Local History Collection, Woodmere
Date
1941-1975
Contributor
Ilse Adler
Rights
Images and documents may be protected by copyright law. Contact Traverse Area District Library for permission to reproduce, display, or transmit this image.
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Finding Aid
Document
Identifier
2016.5
Coverage
Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Michigan
PDF Text
Text
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,1
OCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
L
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
610 Woodmere Avenue Traverse City MI 49686
reator:Unknown (Ilse Adler)
C
Title:Ilse Adler Papers
Inclusive dates:1941- 1975
Bulk dates:1970’s
Extent:.25 linear feet
Call number:2016.5
anguage: Material is in English.
L
Acquisition: Anonymous donation.
Accruals: Periodic additions to the collection are not expected.
Access: The collection is open without restriction.
Photographs: None.
A-V Material: None.
Digital Material: None.
Copyright: Copyright is held by Traverse Area District Library unless
otherwise noted in the item record.
Processed By: Colleen Marquis, 2016
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,2
bstract
A
The collection contains papers and ephemera concerning the efforts of Ilse Adler in
founding The Friendship Center and her employment through the Traverse City State
Hospital. The center was a community support clubhouse for those struggling with
mental illness, especially people who had been released from the Traverse City State
Hospital who needed continuing support. Included in the collection is an academic
paper written by Adler describing the Traverse State Hospital as a community rather
than an organization or institution, a number of Traverse State Hospital training
materials and publications, and a document which predates the bulk of the collection by
thirty years outlining the departments and philosophy of the hospital.
istory
H
Acquired in 2016 by anonymous donation to the Local History Collection at the Traverse
Area District Library was a very small collection of materials created by Ilse Adler, who
was the Director of The Traverse City Friendship Center. The Center's goal was to
provide a social hub for released Traverse City State Hospital patients, and "other
socio-emotionally handicapped persons."
ccording to the Traverse City city directories, the Traverse City Friendship Center Was
A
housed at 106 ½ E. Front Street, from 1975-1978. The Center opened on September
17, 1973. As far as could be determined, the Center likely operated from 1973 to 1978,
but none of the materials in the collection indicate why the Center closed. The Center's
story is told briefly in a special issue of "The Observer," the periodical of the Traverse
City State Hospital in the 1970s:
ommunity concern for a drop-in center for social activities for released state
C
hospital patients now living in the community, or for other socio-emotionally
handicapped persons, had been discussed openly for some years but awaited
someone to provide the knowledge and means of tapping resources and rallying
community support. Mrs. Ilse Adler, Director of the Traverse City Friendship
Center, with the support of Traverse City State Hospital administration was able
to sell the idea to the community leaders and make necessary community
contacts and work with state agencies to create and finance a drop-in center.
Because of the enthusiasm of everyone asked to participate in this endeavor, not
one person said "no" to request for their help resulting in the formation of a
steering Committee. This committee is composed of a group of concerned
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,3
c itizens and representatives of various social organizations, including the
Traverse City State Hospital. This committee started to meet monthly to promote
the center. These persons formed a sponsoring organization which was
incorporated as the Traverse City Friendship Center under the laws of Michigan
as a non-profit organization on July 17, 1973. The diverse professional
backgrounds of steering committee members has made some sources of
monies, professional services and counsel readily accessible to the center.
A local retired businessman donated the use of the second floor of a building
located on Front Street, for the center. This has been a dance studio with a large
ballroom, two smaller rooms with office space in the front, and was made
available, rent free, with heat and water included.
Many community members, individuals and groups, contributed: a ping pong
table, shuffleboard table, books, paint, office supplies, carpeting and the labor to
lay it, etc. The moving of equipment and furniture was donated by volunteers and
a local moving firm.
Furniture was moved in by volunteers, husbands and children of steering
committee members and friends. A cleaning bee by members of the committee
and their families readied the place and we opened on September 17, 1973.
Since then many items and services have been donated by the attending
members ranging from a small bookcase, games and music to "goodies" to be
shared, as well as skills shared and rides by some who drive.
Currently the center is open Sunday through Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. and
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. Activities range from informal
chatting over coffee, discussing problems with staff, participation in games and
group activities, dancing, music, arts and crafts and educational programs
geared toward their individual needs and interest. Members have the opportunity
to explore new interests, develop their creativity through the use of arts and
crafts taught by trained staff or volunteers. If members have specific skills they
are encouraged to share them with others. The use of leisure time is stressed
and members are shown means of applying new skills that will enable them to
participate in meaningful experiences in their daily lives. Some activities pursued
were planning Christmas, Valentine Day parties and a picnic, learning to mend
clothes, making a wall mural, ceramics, stone polishing, woodworking and
decoupage plaques. Educational programs consisting of films on mental health
attitudes and a training program in office management, attended by 5 members,
were offered during the year. Future programs, geared to interests of members,
may include a daily living course, hair care, basic sewing and budgeting money,
utilizing professional people in community as instructors.
One of the community responses in support of the center is the time contributed
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,4
y the volunteers. Originally our volunteers were from Traverse City State
b
Hospital volunteer program, but gradually through media of TC and newspapers,
and word of mouth, they came directly from the community. Training sessions led
by members of hospital staff are provided every new volunteer. Follow-up
sessions are held every first and third Monday morning, a time for sharing
learning experiences with state hospital staff. Volunteers are encouraged to
participate in activities and share their skills, and most important to give of
themselves. During the time they are working at the center they may listen to
clients discuss problems, participate in games or group activities, teach a specific
skill or help with housekeeping chores.
Periodic meeting with the total membership, clients, volunteers and staff,
promote participation in planning and decision making about the functioning and
needs of the center.
In the year the Center has been open 202 individuals have participated in the
program, with an average of 7-25 in attendance at a session06.. A continuous
turnover in membership is noticeable, even though a small number, indicative
that the needs of some have been met by the center and they are able to cope
without our support.
To date ten volunteers have logged a total of well over 1500 hours of service.
More volunteers are joining the program and expressing the satisfaction gained
by sharing time and self with others.
Scope and Content Note:
The materials in this collection represent the efforts of Ilse Adler to create and
support a community drop-in center, The Friendship Center, for members of the public
who have been discharged from the Traverse City State Hospital and/or suffer from
emotional problems and require ongoing community support. The original proposal for
The Friendship Center, a New Year's memo, and a training packet illustrate the effort of
this undertaking and are unlikely to exist outside of the collection. Included in these
papers is an academic paper Mrs. Adler wrote for a sociology class at Michigan State
University analyzing the Traverse City State Hospital as a community rather than an
organization in 1963, ten years later she would be the primary force behind The
Friendship Center and the Center's director.
Also included is various Traverse City State Hospital ephemera, most likely used
as training materials for new staff as well as desk calendars produced by the hospital for
employees.Many of these items were of a disposable nature, and do not survive
elsewhere. The ephemera found here was printed in the Hospital Therapy Print Shop
located in the Traverse City State Hospital and does not exist outside of the hospital
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,5
r ecords. The ephemera includes a brief history of the hospital, desk calendars, training
materials, and a bi-monthly publication entitled 'The Observer.'
In addition, the collection includes a 1941 mimeograph paper entitled 'Facts
Regarding the Traverse City State Hospital' written by R.P. Sheets, M.D., the former
medical superintendent of the hospital. This may have been included in Adler's
collection as a source of research when she was writing her class paper for Michigan
State University, but its position and purpose in this collection is essentially unknown.
rrangement Note:
A
The papers and ephemera in this collection was processed by Colleen Marquis and are
arranged in chronological order when available
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,6
Container No.
Description
Box 1
ix pages of mimeographed type stapled in the top right corner. Created
S
by R.P. Sheets, M.D. Medical Superintendent at the Traverse City State
Hospital on June 9, 1941. Describes the history of asylums in Michigan
and the current (as of 1941) status and departments of the Traverse City
State Hospital.
The Traverse City State Hospital as a Community
Thirty one pages typed and stapled in the top right corner. A research
paper written by Ilse Adler "in partial fulfillment of M.S.U. (ext.t) Soc. 428
Contemporary Communities. Instructor Orden Smucker, Ph.D." dated July
31, 1963. The paper examines the Traverse City State Hospital as a
community based on eight sociological definitions of a community.
Attached to the document is a handwritten note from C. W. Page, Ph.D.
Director of Research & Training praised the paper but ultimately rejected
the paper for publication as having "little interest to Journal Club as a new
idea or as presenting material which is little known."
Traverse City State Hospital Desk Calendar 1969
A small cardboard desk calendar with a white plastic spiral binding. The
calendar features contemporary photographs of life at the hospital.
Traverse City State Hospital Desk Calendar 1973
A small cardboard desk calendar with a white plastic spiral binding. The
calendar features historic photographs from the earliest days of the
hospital and employees.
Proposal for a Community Drop-In-Center:
Copy of original proposal for The Friendship Center written by Isle Adler,
dated March 19th, 1973.
Great Expectations
Two mimeograph pages stapled at the top right hand corner typed by Ilse
Adler July 1, 1974. This document was written as an introduction to The
Friendship Centers mission and philosophy for volunteer training purposes
at the Traverse City Friendship Center.
Years End Memo
A single sheet typed on Traverse City Friendship Center letterhead by Ilse
Adler, December 31, 1975. The purpose of the memo is to recruit
volunteers to The Friendship Center.
"Through the Years: A Brief Look at Traverse City State Hospital Since 1884" by
Ohmer J. Curtiss
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,7
mall blue booklet, bound with staples on the right hand side, outlining the
S
history of the Traverse City State Hospital written by Ohmer J. Curtiss,
director of community relations and Philip B. Smith, M.D., Superintendent.
The booklet was written as a response to researchers and new employees
wishing to know more about the background of the hospital. It is noted that
this is not an exhaustive history but rather an introduction to interesting
facts about the hospital. The booklet was produced at the Traverse City
State Hospital Therapeutic Print Shop. The date is unknown though the
year '1973' is handwritten on the first page in blue ink.
The Observer
Twelve page booklet bound with staples on the right hand side, no date
present but it was printed at the hospital's print shop.
Outlines the history and purpose behind the Traverse City Friendship
Center. Includes uplifting poetry, photographs of the progress and use of
the center, and photos and bias of the Friendship Center's board
members. The historical note of this finding aid is drawn from this source.
Welcome to Traverse City State Hospital:
Small yellow cardboard folder with twelve multicolored cards outlining
each department's responsibilities at the hospital. Used for training and for
reference for new employees. No author or date of publication is present
but it was produced at the hospital's print shop.
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,1
OCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
L
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
610 Woodmere Avenue Traverse City MI 49686
reator:Unknown (Ilse Adler)
C
Title:Ilse Adler Papers
Inclusive dates:1941- 1975
Bulk dates:1970’s
Extent:.25 linear feet
Call number:2016.5
anguage: Material is in English.
L
Acquisition: Anonymous donation.
Accruals: Periodic additions to the collection are not expected.
Access: The collection is open without restriction.
Photographs: None.
A-V Material: None.
Digital Material: None.
Copyright: Copyright is held by Traverse Area District Library unless
otherwise noted in the item record.
Processed By: Colleen Marquis, 2016
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,2
bstract
A
The collection contains papers and ephemera concerning the efforts of Ilse Adler in
founding The Friendship Center and her employment through the Traverse City State
Hospital. The center was a community support clubhouse for those struggling with
mental illness, especially people who had been released from the Traverse City State
Hospital who needed continuing support. Included in the collection is an academic
paper written by Adler describing the Traverse State Hospital as a community rather
than an organization or institution, a number of Traverse State Hospital training
materials and publications, and a document which predates the bulk of the collection by
thirty years outlining the departments and philosophy of the hospital.
istory
H
Acquired in 2016 by anonymous donation to the Local History Collection at the Traverse
Area District Library was a very small collection of materials created by Ilse Adler, who
was the Director of The Traverse City Friendship Center. The Center's goal was to
provide a social hub for released Traverse City State Hospital patients, and "other
socio-emotionally handicapped persons."
ccording to the Traverse City city directories, the Traverse City Friendship Center Was
A
housed at 106 ½ E. Front Street, from 1975-1978. The Center opened on September
17, 1973. As far as could be determined, the Center likely operated from 1973 to 1978,
but none of the materials in the collection indicate why the Center closed. The Center's
story is told briefly in a special issue of "The Observer," the periodical of the Traverse
City State Hospital in the 1970s:
ommunity concern for a drop-in center for social activities for released state
C
hospital patients now living in the community, or for other socio-emotionally
handicapped persons, had been discussed openly for some years but awaited
someone to provide the knowledge and means of tapping resources and rallying
community support. Mrs. Ilse Adler, Director of the Traverse City Friendship
Center, with the support of Traverse City State Hospital administration was able
to sell the idea to the community leaders and make necessary community
contacts and work with state agencies to create and finance a drop-in center.
Because of the enthusiasm of everyone asked to participate in this endeavor, not
one person said "no" to request for their help resulting in the formation of a
steering Committee. This committee is composed of a group of concerned
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,3
c itizens and representatives of various social organizations, including the
Traverse City State Hospital. This committee started to meet monthly to promote
the center. These persons formed a sponsoring organization which was
incorporated as the Traverse City Friendship Center under the laws of Michigan
as a non-profit organization on July 17, 1973. The diverse professional
backgrounds of steering committee members has made some sources of
monies, professional services and counsel readily accessible to the center.
A local retired businessman donated the use of the second floor of a building
located on Front Street, for the center. This has been a dance studio with a large
ballroom, two smaller rooms with office space in the front, and was made
available, rent free, with heat and water included.
Many community members, individuals and groups, contributed: a ping pong
table, shuffleboard table, books, paint, office supplies, carpeting and the labor to
lay it, etc. The moving of equipment and furniture was donated by volunteers and
a local moving firm.
Furniture was moved in by volunteers, husbands and children of steering
committee members and friends. A cleaning bee by members of the committee
and their families readied the place and we opened on September 17, 1973.
Since then many items and services have been donated by the attending
members ranging from a small bookcase, games and music to "goodies" to be
shared, as well as skills shared and rides by some who drive.
Currently the center is open Sunday through Wednesday from 1-4 p.m. and
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9 p.m. Activities range from informal
chatting over coffee, discussing problems with staff, participation in games and
group activities, dancing, music, arts and crafts and educational programs
geared toward their individual needs and interest. Members have the opportunity
to explore new interests, develop their creativity through the use of arts and
crafts taught by trained staff or volunteers. If members have specific skills they
are encouraged to share them with others. The use of leisure time is stressed
and members are shown means of applying new skills that will enable them to
participate in meaningful experiences in their daily lives. Some activities pursued
were planning Christmas, Valentine Day parties and a picnic, learning to mend
clothes, making a wall mural, ceramics, stone polishing, woodworking and
decoupage plaques. Educational programs consisting of films on mental health
attitudes and a training program in office management, attended by 5 members,
were offered during the year. Future programs, geared to interests of members,
may include a daily living course, hair care, basic sewing and budgeting money,
utilizing professional people in community as instructors.
One of the community responses in support of the center is the time contributed
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,4
y the volunteers. Originally our volunteers were from Traverse City State
b
Hospital volunteer program, but gradually through media of TC and newspapers,
and word of mouth, they came directly from the community. Training sessions led
by members of hospital staff are provided every new volunteer. Follow-up
sessions are held every first and third Monday morning, a time for sharing
learning experiences with state hospital staff. Volunteers are encouraged to
participate in activities and share their skills, and most important to give of
themselves. During the time they are working at the center they may listen to
clients discuss problems, participate in games or group activities, teach a specific
skill or help with housekeeping chores.
Periodic meeting with the total membership, clients, volunteers and staff,
promote participation in planning and decision making about the functioning and
needs of the center.
In the year the Center has been open 202 individuals have participated in the
program, with an average of 7-25 in attendance at a session06.. A continuous
turnover in membership is noticeable, even though a small number, indicative
that the needs of some have been met by the center and they are able to cope
without our support.
To date ten volunteers have logged a total of well over 1500 hours of service.
More volunteers are joining the program and expressing the satisfaction gained
by sharing time and self with others.
Scope and Content Note:
The materials in this collection represent the efforts of Ilse Adler to create and
support a community drop-in center, The Friendship Center, for members of the public
who have been discharged from the Traverse City State Hospital and/or suffer from
emotional problems and require ongoing community support. The original proposal for
The Friendship Center, a New Year's memo, and a training packet illustrate the effort of
this undertaking and are unlikely to exist outside of the collection. Included in these
papers is an academic paper Mrs. Adler wrote for a sociology class at Michigan State
University analyzing the Traverse City State Hospital as a community rather than an
organization in 1963, ten years later she would be the primary force behind The
Friendship Center and the Center's director.
Also included is various Traverse City State Hospital ephemera, most likely used
as training materials for new staff as well as desk calendars produced by the hospital for
employees.Many of these items were of a disposable nature, and do not survive
elsewhere. The ephemera found here was printed in the Hospital Therapy Print Shop
located in the Traverse City State Hospital and does not exist outside of the hospital
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,5
r ecords. The ephemera includes a brief history of the hospital, desk calendars, training
materials, and a bi-monthly publication entitled 'The Observer.'
In addition, the collection includes a 1941 mimeograph paper entitled 'Facts
Regarding the Traverse City State Hospital' written by R.P. Sheets, M.D., the former
medical superintendent of the hospital. This may have been included in Adler's
collection as a source of research when she was writing her class paper for Michigan
State University, but its position and purpose in this collection is essentially unknown.
rrangement Note:
A
The papers and ephemera in this collection was processed by Colleen Marquis and are
arranged in chronological order when available
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,6
Container No.
Description
Box 1
ix pages of mimeographed type stapled in the top right corner. Created
S
by R.P. Sheets, M.D. Medical Superintendent at the Traverse City State
Hospital on June 9, 1941. Describes the history of asylums in Michigan
and the current (as of 1941) status and departments of the Traverse City
State Hospital.
The Traverse City State Hospital as a Community
Thirty one pages typed and stapled in the top right corner. A research
paper written by Ilse Adler "in partial fulfillment of M.S.U. (ext.t) Soc. 428
Contemporary Communities. Instructor Orden Smucker, Ph.D." dated July
31, 1963. The paper examines the Traverse City State Hospital as a
community based on eight sociological definitions of a community.
Attached to the document is a handwritten note from C. W. Page, Ph.D.
Director of Research & Training praised the paper but ultimately rejected
the paper for publication as having "little interest to Journal Club as a new
idea or as presenting material which is little known."
Traverse City State Hospital Desk Calendar 1969
A small cardboard desk calendar with a white plastic spiral binding. The
calendar features contemporary photographs of life at the hospital.
Traverse City State Hospital Desk Calendar 1973
A small cardboard desk calendar with a white plastic spiral binding. The
calendar features historic photographs from the earliest days of the
hospital and employees.
Proposal for a Community Drop-In-Center:
Copy of original proposal for The Friendship Center written by Isle Adler,
dated March 19th, 1973.
Great Expectations
Two mimeograph pages stapled at the top right hand corner typed by Ilse
Adler July 1, 1974. This document was written as an introduction to The
Friendship Centers mission and philosophy for volunteer training purposes
at the Traverse City Friendship Center.
Years End Memo
A single sheet typed on Traverse City Friendship Center letterhead by Ilse
Adler, December 31, 1975. The purpose of the memo is to recruit
volunteers to The Friendship Center.
"Through the Years: A Brief Look at Traverse City State Hospital Since 1884" by
Ohmer J. Curtiss
Traverse Area District Library, Woodmere
Local History Collection
Ilse Adler Papers,7
mall blue booklet, bound with staples on the right hand side, outlining the
S
history of the Traverse City State Hospital written by Ohmer J. Curtiss,
director of community relations and Philip B. Smith, M.D., Superintendent.
The booklet was written as a response to researchers and new employees
wishing to know more about the background of the hospital. It is noted that
this is not an exhaustive history but rather an introduction to interesting
facts about the hospital. The booklet was produced at the Traverse City
State Hospital Therapeutic Print Shop. The date is unknown though the
year '1973' is handwritten on the first page in blue ink.
The Observer
Twelve page booklet bound with staples on the right hand side, no date
present but it was printed at the hospital's print shop.
Outlines the history and purpose behind the Traverse City Friendship
Center. Includes uplifting poetry, photographs of the progress and use of
the center, and photos and bias of the Friendship Center's board
members. The historical note of this finding aid is drawn from this source.
Welcome to Traverse City State Hospital:
Small yellow cardboard folder with twelve multicolored cards outlining
each department's responsibilities at the hospital. Used for training and for
reference for new employees. No author or date of publication is present
but it was produced at the hospital's print shop.