Collections

Samuel A. Portnoy (1920 - 2004) was a professor of History at Florida Atlantic University (1963-1991) in Boca Raton, Florida.  Dr. Portnoy was a native New Yorker and received his bachelor's degree and Ph.D.  from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his master's from the University of Chicago. In 1963, he began teaching history at Florida Atlantic University where he was actively involved in the planning of the University's academic program.  He was also first chairman of the Department of History at FAU.  His areas of specialization include Russian and Soviet history, 19th and 20th century European history, and Modern Jewish history. Dr. Portnoy was also a prominent lecturer, speaking on subjects of current and historic importance.  These subjects included the Middle East, the Gorbachev revolution, German unification, and select topics in modern Jewish history (Hasidism, Zionism, Jewish labor and social movements in Europe and the United States), and various aspects of Yiddish culture.  Much of his research was focused on the Jewish Labor Bund and the life of Vladimir Medem, a Russian Jewish political leader.  Portnoy's publications include articles in both Yiddish and English for the journals Labor History, Dissent, and Yiddish. He is also the editor-translator of Vladimir Medem's memoirs entitled: The Life and Soul of a Legendary Jewish Socialist and Henryk Erlich and Victor Alter – Two Heroes and Martyrs for Jewish Socialism.

The materials in this collection reflect the subject's work in citrus fruit research. Of special note are the bound logs used by the research stations. Also present are articles published by the subject as well as correspondence. A small number of slides and lecture materials are also available.

The primary source materials in this collection provide historical documentation and evidence of selective elections and political campaigns held in Duval County and Jacksonville, Florida. The earliest items are Duval County election records dated 1904; the majority of the materials date from the late twentieth century to the present decade. Printed materials include sample election ballots and guides, voting brochures and pamphlets, and a voting registration receipt card. Artifacts and memorabilia include political campaign buttons and stickers from Jacksonville mayoral, U.S. Senate, and Presidential campaigns.

This collection consists of letters and memorabilia sent by U.S. Army soldier Earl L. Bailey to friends and family during World War II, as well as the transcript of an oral interview with the soldier. These documents detail the soldier's basic training at Camp Maxey, TX, participation in the Army Specialized Training Program at Ohio State University, and service in the 405th Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division. This service included stops at Camp Swift, TX, Fort Dix, NJ, and participation in the suppression of the Philadelphia Transit Strike of 1944 before departing for Europe. The letters discuss the campaign in Europe, battles in France and Germany, the Siegfrieg Line, and the occupation of Germany. Earl L. Bailey also discusses religion, food, POW's, propaganda, artist Bill Mauldin, German National Socialist Ideology, and V-1 rockets.  Also included are German propaganda leaflets that were dropped on U.S. soldiers.

This oral history interview transcript relates to Eddie Barrington who served with C Company in the 823rd Air Aviation Engineers. Barrington was assigned to work on the Ledo Road under General Joseph Stilwell in December 1942 in the China Burma India campaign. The collection includes a transcript of an interview, recorded May 20, 2004 and audio recording. The recording includes portions of the interview that are not transcribed.

This collection contains original cartoons by Baker Country Press and Artizans cartoonist Ed Hall from his 2003 book entitled Code Red—Editorial Cartoons and his 2006 book entitled Diversions. These cartoons, which originally ran from 1996-2006, cover topics including Florida politics, national politics, popular culture and the war in Iraq. Select cartoons were not donated and are not part of the collection.