Guide to the James S. Balter Papers 1957-1979 [bulk 1959-1970]
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- James S. Balter Papers,
- Creator
- Balter, James S., 1922-1993
- Collection Number
- MSS#517
- Extent
- 1.0 linear feet (1 Box)
- Date
- 1957-1979 [bulk 1959-1970]
- Abstract
- James S. Balter was a businessman and resident of Pittsburgh and was involved in community service throughout his adult life. His papers primarily reflect his activities, including as a trustee, and in other official roles with many civic and social service institutions between the late 1950s and the late 1970s.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
James Stone Balter was born on June 12, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents were Morris and Beatrice Balter. He and his first wife, Frances Sunstein married in 1948 and the couple had four children: Katherine, Julia, Constance (Connie) and Daniel. Balter ans Frances Sunstein divorced in 1975. He later married Bernita Buncher.
Balter was educated at Shadyside Academy and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He lived in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh and was a member of Rodef Shalom Congregation. He died on August 29, 1993, in Izmir Turkey, while on a cruise with his wife.
Balter served in the United States Army during World War II. When he returned, he joined the family business, Morris Paper Company, which had been founded by his father in the mid-1920s. Balter eventually became the president of the Morris Paper Company, retiring from that position in 1986. At the time of his death, Balter was the president of James S. Balter Associates/Business Consultants.
In addition to being a businessman, Balter was also an active volunteer in the Pittsburgh community. He served as a life trustee of the American Jewish Committee as well as a board member of the Jewish National Fund. He was a founding member and served on the executive committee of the Pioneer Crafts Council. He was also involved, mainly by serving as a trustee, in organizations including the Emma Kaufmann Camp, the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind, the Health and Welfare Association of Allegheny County, Mayview State Hospital, United Mental Health Services of Allegheny County, and the Urban League of Pittsburgh. Much of this collection consists of papers related to these organizations.
Scope and Content Notes
The collection spans the years 1957 through 1979, with the bulk of the materials dated from 1959 through 1970. Materials in the collection range from meeting minutes and by-laws, to correspondence and handwritten notes.
The collection is particularly strong in documenting Balter's participation on the boards of many organizations. One folder in the collection contains newspaper clippings and publications about his family business, the Morris Paper Company.
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) section consists of three folders containing reports, memos, correspondence, handwritten notes, publications, and news clippings related to the Pittsburgh chapter from 1961 through 1963. The bulk of the material is concerned with the Evaluation Committee, on which Balter served. The responsibilities of the committee included determining improvements and changes for the AJC.
The folder titled "Biographical Information" contains three versions of Balter's obituary as well as a summary of his life and community involvement. Also included is a letter he wrote to a family member detailing the lives of other family members, particularly those of his children. These items range in date from 1983 through 1993.
The Emma Kaufmann Camp section consists of six folders containing correspondence, handwritten notes, new clippings, publications, reports, meeting minutes, by-laws, maps, and blueprints. The materials span from 1957 through 1972, and are primarily concerned with the search for a new location doe the camp.
The Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind section consists of three folders containing meeting minutes, reports, publications, correspondence, and memos dating from 1969 to 1977. Most general information about the Board and the community work of the Guild.
The Health and Welfare Association of Allegheny County section consists of two folders containing correspondence, memos, publications, reports, and meeting minutes dating from 1959 to 1966. Much of the material is general information about the Board. There are some materials concerning the Committee to Review Community Mental Health Plan, on which Balter served.
The Mayview State Hospital section consists of three folders containing correspondence, handwritten notes, memos, maps, news clippings, reports, meeting minutes, and a certificate dating from 1960 to 1979. The records are primarily concerned with the hospital building and ground maintenance.
The Morris Paper Company folder contains news clippings and publications about the company. These items range in date from 1957 to 1978. Included in these folders are advertisements from newspapers, the Morris Paper Newsletter, the history of the company, and a Morris Paper Procedures Manual.
The Pittsburgh Bicentennial folder contains two printed items entitled respectively "It's Everybody's Bicentennial" and "Shape of Survival" dated 1958 Through 1959.
The United Mental Health Services of Allegheny County section consists of nine folders containing correspondence, news clippings. memos, publications, meeting minutes, and reports, ranging in date from 1959 through 1978. Some of the materials relate to the successes of the organization, particularly with disabled children.
The Urban League of Pittsburgh folder contains correspondence and reports from 1964. Individual items include the Urban League's Statement on Education, Housing in the Pittsburgh Community, Health and Welfare, and of Job Development and Employment.
Arrangement
- The James S. Balter Papers are housed in one archival box and are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Connie Cantor, the daughter of James Balter, on November 21, 2008.
Preferred Citation
James S. Balter Papers, 1959-1979 [bulk 1959-1970], MSS#517, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Erika G. Winter, intern from Duquesne University's Archive, Museum and Editing Program in March 2009.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Related Materials
Papers of the Richard Rauh Family MSS#301 (for materials related to Mayview)
Papers of Leonard Staisey MSS#275 (for materials related to the Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind)
Records of the Health and Welfare Planning Association of Allegheny County MSS#158
Records of the Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh MSS#389 (for materials related to the Emma Kaufmann Camp)
Records of the Urban League of Pittsburgh MSS#277
Separated Materials
The James S. Balter Photographic Collection consisting of nine folders, has been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSP#517.
A map of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh has been removed to the map collection.
Subjects
- Morris Paper Company
- James S. Balter Associates/Business Consultants
- American Jewish Committee
- Emma Kaufmann Camp
- Greater Pittsburgh Guild for the Blind
- Health and Welfare Association of Allegheny County
- Mayview State Hospital
- United Mental Health Services of Allegheny County
- Urban League of Pittsburgh
- Balter, Beatrice
- Balter, Daniel
- Balter, Julia
- Balter, Katherine
- Balter, James S., 1922-1993
- Balter, Morris, c. 1897-1971
- Balter, Bernita Buncher
- Cantor, Constance Balter
- Sunstein, Frances
- Pittsburgh, (Pa.)
- Jewish businesses--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Jewish community organizations--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
- Jews--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh