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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Sarah Roth-Mullet
Administrative Information
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Access Restrictions
Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box#, folder #], Bob Bersson Papers, 1981-2017, SC 0272, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Acquisition Information
Items were donated by Bob Bersson in five separate accessions between 2014 and 2018.
Processing Information
Duplicate copies of materials were discarded. Newspaper clippings related to the JMU Faculty and restructuring were returned to donor. A large number of 3.5 inch floppy discs and zip discs which contain drafts of Bersson's two books, "Worlds of Art," published by Mayfield Publishing Company in 1991, and "Responding to Art: Form, Content and Context," published by McGraw Hill in 2003, as well as other academic work, were returned to the donor.
Cassette tapes containing WMRA recordings of "Our Little Radio Show" were digitized and returned to the donor. In January 2019, 770+ slides from Series 1: Citizens for Downtown (CFD), 1989-2017 were inventoried, photographed, and rehoused. The original slide cases, slide boxes, and slide carousels were photographed and discarded.
Bio/Historical Note
Bob Bersson was a professor of Art at James Madison University from 1983 until his retirement in 2003. He taught modern and contemporary art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and art appreciation. He wrote two art history/art appreciation text books: "Worlds of Art," published by Mayfield in 1991, and "Responding to Art," published by McGraw-Hill in 2004. Bersson founded the Interfaith Initiative for Peace and Justice in Harrisonburg, and remains active in local interfaith activities. In 2016, Bersson served as visiting Jewish Scholar for the Center for Interfaith Engagement at Eastern Mennonite University.
Scope and Content
The collection is comprised of documents and media related to Robert Bersson's work as an art professor at JMU and community organizer in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is arranged into four series: Citizens for Downtown (CFD) in Harrisonburg, Taxpayers against Golf Spending (TAGS), WMRA "Our Little Radio Show," and Professional Papers.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series. Series 1 is arranged further into subseries.
Citizens for Downtown (CFD), 1989-2017 Taxpayers against Golf Spending (TAGS), 1992-2002 WMRA "Our Little Radio Show," 1987-1988 Professional Papers, 1991-2004Related Material
Common Ground Records, 1983-2000, SC 0126, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Art -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States
- Art appreciation -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States
- Bersson, Robert
- Blacks Run (Va.)
- Citizens' associations -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
- Color slides
- Community organizations -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
- Floppy disks
- James Madison University. Department of Art
- James Madison University. School of Art
- James Madison University. School of Art and Art History
- Letters (correspondence)
- Maps (documents)
- Membership lists
- Newspaper clippings
- Religions -- Relations
- Reports
- Slides (photographs)
- Social action -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg
- VHS
Container List
Arranged into two subseries: Administrative Files, 1989-2017, arranged chronologically, and Subject Files, 1989-2017, arranged alphabetically.
The Citizens for Downtown files contain meeting minutes, correspondence, financial reports, newspaper clippings, speeches, membership information, advertisements, and slides related to the historic preservation and revitalization of downtown Harrisonburg. A summary of the history of CFD and the Blacks Run clean-up and restoration project, written by Bob Bersson, can be found in Box 1:8.
The series contains 771 slides with images of Harrisonburg, James Madison University, Rockingham County, and other locales in Virginia and the Northeast. Specific locations include images of downtown Harrisonburg, Hillandale Park, Black's Run, Purcell Park, and JMU buildings and campus. One slide container was labelled, "Good Models for Downtown Development," and contained images of Charlottesville, Roanoke, Richmond, Alexandria, among other locales. Another slide case was labelled, JMU Architecture, 1909-2003.
The series also contains three VHS tapes with interviews of Bersson related to Harrisonburg downtown revitalization, as well as two 3.5 inch floppy discs labelled, "Citizens for Downtown."
- 1
Administrative Files1989–2017
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 1
Prehistory of Citizens for Downtown1981-1989, undated
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 2
Citizens for Downtown Documents 11989, undated
-
Bob Bersson Notebook1989–1990
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 3
Citizens for Downtown Documents 21990
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 4
Citizens for Downtown Documents 31991
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 5
Citizens for Downtown Documents 41992–1994
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 6
Citizens for Downtown Documents 51995–2000
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 7
Citizens for Downtown Documents 620042006
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 8
Citizens for Downtown Narrative and Blacks Run Clean-up Narratives20142017
- Mixed Materials 3.5 Floppy Disk: SC0272-FL3-001
Citizens for Downtown Documents 7undated
- Mixed Materials 3.5 Floppy Disk: SC0272-FL3-002
Citizens for Downtown Documents 8undated
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 1
- 2
Subject Files1989–2017
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 9
Architectural Awards1990-2002, undated
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 10
Blacks Run Restoration Project Documents1989–2003
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 11
Blacks Run Restoration Project Photoscirca 1992
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 12
Blacks Run Restoration Project Newspaper Clippings1990–2017
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 13
Fridays on the Square1992–2013
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 14
Gallery Walk1989–1990
- Moving Images Media Cabinet: 1 SC0272-VHS-001
Downtown revitalization, WHSV TVcirca 1981
- Moving Images Media Cabinet: 1 SC0272-VHS-002
Identity Crisis, WVPT1989 September 7
- Moving Images Media Cabinet: 1 SC0272-VHS-003
Citizens for Downtown on TV3 News1989
- Mixed Materials [1000886367] box: 4
Slides of Downtown Harrisonburg, Blacks Run, and JMU campuscirca 1981-2005Scope and Contents
The box contains 781 slides with images taken by and compiled by Bob Bersson. The slides depict buildings in downtown Harrisonburg; the Blacks Run River area; Hillendale Park, Harrisonburg; JMU campus and buildings; Bridgewater, Dayton, Citizens for Downtown activities; and various historic districts in northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Boston, Maryland, and other locales. A complete inventory of the slides is available upon request.
- Mixed Materials [1000886364] box: 1 folder: 9
Arranged chronologically.
TAGS is comprised reports, memos, maps, studies, advertisements, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and audio recordings related to a campaign against the Harrisonburg City Council's plans to build a municipal golf course in the Hillandale Park in Harrisonburg. The organization eventually formed the Citizens of Harrisonburg Advocating New Government for the Electorate (CHANGE) in 2000, who endorsed three candidates for city council -- Dorn Peterson, Carolyn Frank, and Joe Fitzgerald – all of whom were elected in May 2000. Three audiocassettes contain interviews with individuals in 2002 regarding their involvement with TAGS.
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 1
Harrisonburg Golf Course Feasability study1992
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 2
Studies and Reports by City of Harrisonburg1994–2000
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 3
Advertisements1999
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 4
Correspondence1999
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 5
Financial Analysis of Golf Course1999
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 6
Newspaper clippings1999
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 7
Correspondence2000
- Mixed Materials [1000886365] box: 2 folder: 8
Newspaper clippings2000
- Mixed Materials [1000886366] box: 3 folder: 1
CHANGE Campaign Material2000
- Mixed Materials [1000886366] box: 3 folder: 2
CHANGE Documents2000–2002
- Audio Audiocassette: SC0272-CS-030
Ben Fordney recording2002 May 17
- Audio Audiocassette: SC0272-CS-029
Warren Dillenbeck recording2002 May 19
- Audio Audiocassette: SC0272-CS-031
Carolyn Frank recording2002 May 27
The series, "Our Little Radio Show," contains documents and audio recordints related to a variety show co-founded by Bersson in 1987, and hosted at JMU. Audio cassettes with episodes of the show have been digitized and returned to Bersson.
- Mixed Materials [1000886366] box: 3 folder: 3
Our Little Radio Show Documents1987
- Mixed Materials Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001
Our Little Radio Show Documents1987 March 3, undatedScope and Contents
Comprised of photographs of a document with a list of Our Little Radio Show programs and dates, and an image of the article, "Show Prepares for Airwaves: 'Our Little Radio Show' Runs Through its Paces," Daily News Record, March 3, 1987.
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-01
WMRA Spring fund drive with Our Little Radio ShowApril 1987
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-02
Our Little Radio Show with Dominion Express1987 May 10
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-03
Our Little Radio Show with Joyce Breeden and Steve Parks1987 May 17
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-04
Our Little Radio Show with Nick Whitmer, Mel and Karen Lee1987 May 24
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-05
Our Little Radio Show with Rick Richardson & Steve Edick1987 May 31
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-06
Our Little Radio Show with Crooked Run String Band1987 June 7
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-07
Our Little Radio Show with Musikanten1987 June 14
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-08
Our Little Radio Show with Musikanten1987 June 14
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-09
Our Little Radio Show with Belzona Bluzz Revue1987 June 21
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-10
Our Little Radio Show with Windfall1987 June 28
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-11
Our Little Radio Show with Roy Book Binder1987 July 12
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-12
Our Little Radio Show with Mandelay1987 July 19
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-13
Our Little Radio Show with Wanda Hardy and the Hardy Boys1987 August 2
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-14
Our Little Radio Show with Gary Green and Rick Harris1987 August 9
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-15
Our Little Radio Show with John Glick & Steve Phillips, Mac McCumsey1987 August 16
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-16
Our Little Radio Show with Steve Speakman1987 October 4
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-17
Our Little Radio Show with Reverend Billy C. Wirtz1987 October 25
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-18
Our Little Radio Show with Joyce Breeden1987 November 15
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-19
Our Little Radio Show, Christmas Show with Boffo1987 December 20
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-29
Our Little Radio Show with Robin and Linda Williams1988 January 17
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-20
Our Little Radio Show with Michael Geddes1988 February 7
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-21
Our Little Radio Show with Cabin Fever (Side A)1988 February 14
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-30
Our Little Radio Show with John D'Earth and Robert Jospé1988 February 21
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-22
Our Little Radio Show with Debbie and Peter Hunter1988 February 28
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-23
Our Little Radio Show with Eddie Adcock and Talk of the Town1988 March 6
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-24
Our Little Radio Show with Joyce Breeden, Steve Parks and Two-Gun Terry1988 March 13
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-25
Our Little Radio Show with Wanda and the White Boys1988 March 27
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-26
Our Little Radio Show with Windfall1988 April 10
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-27
Our Little Radio Show with Kirk Edwards1988 April 17
- Audio Digital-Materials: SC0272-SET-001 SC0272-28
Our Little Radio Show with Heartland1988 May 1
Professional Papers contain the papers and media created by Bersson during his tenure as a professor of Art at James Madison University. There are two folders contain documents related to significant and controversial restructuring under the Carrier Administration in 1993. Files include comments made by President Carrier during a JMU Faculty Senate Meeting in October 14, 1993, as well as other articles and reports related to faculty governance and structure.
- Mixed Materials [1000886366] box: 3 folder: 4
AAUP Committee Documents1993
- Mixed Materials [1000886366] box: 3 folder: 5
Faculty Senate Documents1993–2007