The papers of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller primarily consist of correspondence, including personal correspondence to family and relatives, biographical materials; art collection files, and files pertaining to her philanthropic activities.
Correspondence, reports, pamphlets, and clippings of Norman. Among the subjects represented are health, population control, civil liberties, refugees, exiled governments and peoples of World War II, United Nations, education, delinquency, race relations, emerging nationalities, censorship, and foreign aid. Much of the correspondence in the collection centers around Mrs. Norman's column in THE NEW YORK POST in the 1940s. Organizations in the collection include Civil Liberties Union, Americans for Democratic Action, American Citizens Committee for Economic Aid Abroad, Women's City Club, American Emergency Food Committee for India, Urban League, Liberal Party, Citizens Union, Free Germany Movement, Free China Movement, and United World Federation. Also included are correspondence, manuscripts, research materials, and printed materials dealing with Norman's research and writing on India. There are two working manuscripts, one on India, the other on Nehru. Also, a fragmentary manuscript of her memoirs and the beginnings of a study of Alfred Stieglitz.
The Business Interest series documents the Rockefeller Family's investments and financial involvement in a variety of industries, companies, and geographic areas, including banks, oil, iron mining, timber, railroads, Rockefeller Center, and South America.
This series reflects primarily the activities of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., but significant documentation on the political and civic concerns of each of his sons is also present. In addition to extensive files on family support of the Republican Party on the national, state, and local level, separate folders exist on specific candidates, such as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, and New York Governor Thomas Dewey. There are substantial files on family support for Nelson Rockefeller during his first gubernatorial campaign and immediately afterward. However, very little material exists in this series on his presidential effort in 1960.
The Cultural Interests series reflects the Rockefeller family's involvement and contributions in the areas of the arts, museums, parks, and historic restorations. The series contains correspondence between members of the Rockefeller family and the Family Office Staff on the one hand, and officials and members of the various institutions and organizations on the other. Most of the material concerns unsolicited appeals for donations. Some members of the family were also members of or were active in several of the organizations, and some of the correspondence reflects this activity.
The Office of the Messrs. Rockefeller (OMR) materials document the increasing role assumed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in the management of Rockefeller affairs and amply document his business and philanthropic affairs. They also chronicle the entrance of JDR Jr.'s sons, John D. 3rd, Nelson A., Laurance S., Winthrop, and David, into the world of business, philanthropy, civic leadership, and politics as they joined the office.
The files found in this series include correspondence by members of the Rockefeller family and their representatives and the officials of various institutions. Most of the material is unsolicited requests for aid. The material on institutions in which the family took an active interest, such as the International Houses, includes analysis, reports, general correspondence, contributions, and administration.
