Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for use without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

None.

Preferred Citation

Box/folder, Ernest M. Gunzburg Papers, M 194, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Department by Mr. Gunzburg in several installments between October 1982 and 1989.

Processing Information

Collection processed in March 1987, revised in November 1988 and May 1989.

Biographical/Historical Information

Ernest Gunzburg was born (12-29-1911) and educated in Mainz, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1935. Soon after arriving in the U.S., Mr. Gunzburg worked with the National Refugee Service to settle European refugees in Virginia. In 1939 he moved to accept the position of executive director with the Florida Resettlement Committee. Serving with the U.S. Army Intelligence during World War II, Gunzburg returned to Virginia to help place persons displaced by the War.

An insurance agent for Prudential, Mr. Gunzburg still had time to organize the foundation of the Richmond Symphony, an Ecumenical Committee in Richmond (Commemoration of Faith), Friends of Newly Naturalized Citizens, Appreciation of America Day, and a crime prevention program for school children. Mr. Gunzburg has also been involved with the Language Bank, the American Red Cross (International Committee), the Richmond Jaycees (Spring Street Chapter), and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gunzburg has advocated a Bill of Responsibilities for all citizens and has spoken to many groups regarding his varied interests.

Mr. Gunzburg is the recipient of numerous awards and citations for his work with civic groups and organizations. Mr. Gunzburg died 22 November 1990.

Scope and Content Information

The collection (n.d., 1943-1944, 1955-1987) is comprised of correspondence and articles focusing on Mr. Gunzburg's work with immigrants, new citizens, youth, the Richmond Symphony and Chamber of Commerce, Appreciation of America Day, the Language Bank and the program "This is Your Life: Today and Tomorrow".

The bulk of the collection focuses on the years between 1970 and 1979. Correspondents include Senator Harry Byrd, Jr., Representative Tom Bliley, Senator John Warner, Governors Chuck Robb and Mills Godwin, mayors Merrill Crowe and Eleanor Sheppard, Thomas Boushall (Bank of Virginia), George Meaney (AFL-CIO), and other local officials and dignitaries.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by topic.

All duplicated materials have been returned to the donor. Copies of the booklet "Your Life Today and Tomorrow: One Man's Message" can be found in the control folder and in the Special Collections and Archives stacks.

The collection is contained in one series, Personal and Biographical Information (n.d., 1943-1944, 1955-1988).