Overview of the Collection

Historical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Organizational Records, 1979-1998

Finding aid prepared and encoded by Anna Henderson.

The Plainfield Business Association (PBA) was established as an association of business persons interested in “Progress for Plainfield.” The PBA was founded in 1963 “to promote, cultivate, and foster the spirit of cooperation between the merchants, business and professional people of Plainfield; to encourage its members to adopt a high standard of service, business ethics, and value in the conduct of their business; to help in the development and growth of Plainfield business; and to assist and advise the governing bodies of Plainfield whenever called upon for the benefit of the city.” Membership was open to any person, firm, partnership or corporation doing business in the city; any person unanimously recommended by the entire Board of Trustees shall be eligible as an honorary member.

The organization held bimonthly meetings, an annual holiday dinner, sidewalk sale, and frequent workshops and speakers on topics such as window displays, recreation and employment, and city revitalization. Originally part of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, a dispute over one-way streets led to some members forming the new association. In 1993, activity had dropped and members were asked if they preferred to disband the organization; they did not, and the PBA remained an active voice in Plainfield for a few more years.

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The collection documents the activities of the Plainfield Business Association, an organization of area businesses that promoted development and growth. It includes historical information, such as the organization’s constitution and bylaws; materials on the annual Sidewalk Sale; and correspondence to members and business regarding activities.

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The "Plainfield Business Association" collection is arranged into one series:

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

The “Plainfield Business Association” collection is available for research.

Access is restricted to materials prepared by the Local History department staff. All materials must be viewed in the Plainfield Room and may not be removed to another area of the library without permission of the Library Director or designee. Materials must be handled carefully and kept in order. Materials must not be leaned upon, altered, folded, ripped, or traced upon. Marks may not be added or erased from materials. Materials must be returned directly to Local History department staff and inspected before the researcher leaves the Plainfield Room.

Restrictions on Use

One photocopy may be made (by Plainfield Public Library staff) of each document for the purpose of research; official Local History departmental reproduction fees may apply. Permission to publish must be obtained by the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees as delegated to the Library Director. Permission to publish does not constitute a copyright clearance. The researcher is responsible for further copyright restrictions. The Plainfield Public Library is not responsible for the misuse of copyrighted material.

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This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Persons:

Organizations:

Places:

Subjects:

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This collection consists of paper documents, which do not require any additional technology for access.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Identification of item; Date (if noted); the “Plainfield Business Association” collection, Box and Folder Number; Local History Department, Plainfield Public Library, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Acquisition Information

Former PBA president and treasurer Albert Pittis donated the collection in March 2008.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Anna Henderson in August 2008. The finding aid was written by Michael Pucci in April 2008 and Anna Henderson in August 2008. Finding aid content follows the guidelines suggested by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Organizational Records, 1979-1998

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