Browse Items (395 total)
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Coll. 031: Dignity Boston Collection
Dignity Boston was founded in 1972 as a local chapter of Dignity/USA, which started in Los Angeles in 1969, first as a counseling group, then a support group for LGBTQ Catholics. Dignity/USA has been a national independent nonprofit organization…
Coll. 018: David Peterson Collection
David Peterson came from a conservative family in Indiana. In 1965 Peterson came to the Boston area to attend MIT. One of the first organizations he became involved with was the Homophile Union of Boston (HUB). It was in those years he became friends…
Portrait of a young Gordon Copeland and four other men.
This black and white Kodak Velox Paper candid photograph features five young white men with their arms around each other, facing the camera and smiling, standing on a sidewalk. Some of them are in jackets and ties, others more casually dressed. The…
Black and white photograph of a living space with a painted portrait of Gordon Copeland.
This small, square, black and white Kodak Velox with scalloped edges appears to be of a living space (lamp, table, candles, vase, record player and vinyl records) with a painted portrait of a man posed in a chair, looking back over his shoulder at…
Small color Kodak studio portrait print of sailor Allan Srarcy, with affectionate inscription to Gordon, 1973.
This tiny color print is a studio portrait of a smiling very young-looking white man in a Navy uniform. On the back is a handwritten inscription "To Gordon, with great love, Allan, '1973.'" This photo was stored along with a handwritten note on scrap…
[Untitled]
Color Kodak print.
Charles Shively, June 1961 (age approximately 24)
This small, color "Kodacolor Print" of Charles Shively is dated June 1961 - so he is approximately 24 in this photo.
Charles Shively (young)
This is a small black and white studio portrait photograph of Charles Shively, possibly from the time of his enrollment at Harvard. He is wearing a coat and tie, glasses with heavy rims, and a serious expression.
[Untitled]
Black-and-white portrait photograph of a woman theatrically posing with a sword and a mask in her hands, wearing a strappy, feathered bikini top and sequined satin panties with cut-aways at the hips, and spiral earrings. She has autographed the…
Photograph of Gordon Copeland in a bar, later in life.
This is a sepia-tone photograph of Gordon Copeland in a bar, later in life. He is wearing a swater with his name monogrammed onto the right breast. This is the photograph that Charles selected for Gordon's memorial service.
Photo of a dog
Color photograph of a dog.
Retouched, enlarged Kodak copy of original Polaroid of Gordon and his dog.
This Kodak photo is a retouched, enlarged re-print of the original Polaroid of Gordon and his dog, featured in this archive. The back of the photo has a label that reads "Photo Retouched By Take Two Photocraft, 202 Mass. Avenue, Arlington, MA 02174."
Gordon and his dog.
Polaroid photograph of Gordon Copeland (Charles' partner) and his dog.
Gordon bartending, July 1968.
3.5"x3.5" black and white photograph of Gordon Copeland (Charles' partner) bartending, dated July 1968. Gordon's obituary stated that he bartended at Brumlin's.
Handwritten draft of Gordon's obituary and to-do lists for his memorial service.
These handwritten sheets draft out Gordon's obituary and also include scattered notes and lists regarding his memorial service. Gordon was Charles Shively's partner.
Request from Cambridge Hospital Patient Accounts for Gordon Copeland's income information in order to obtain Free Care.
This packet contains a letter from the Cambridge Hospital Patient Accounts Department, addressed to Charles Shively's partner Gordon Copeland, stating that his Free Care status had been denied due to lack of income verification. The letter encloses…
"NINETY-FIVE: ANNUS SEMIHORRIBILILIS"
This printed letter appears to be a summary of the author's academic and personal affairs of the year 1995 - it may have been sent out to a number of recipients, as it is not addressed to anyone, and is printed from a computer with a handwritten…
Application for use of Old Cambridge Baptist Church, for December 8 1995 memorial service of Gordon Copeland (partner of Charles Shively).
This document is a copy of the form that Charles filled out to reserve the sanctuary of the Old Cambridge Baptist Church (Cambridge MA) for Gordon's memorial service on December 8, 1995. Charles wrote that he anticipated 50-75 people to attend, and…
"Airman's Clearance Certificate" - paperwork part of Gordon Copeland's discharge from the Air Force on April 3, 1953. (Gordon was Charles Shively's partner.)
This document three-page document begins with a form titled "AIRMAN'S CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE," which states that Gordon had finished his work on the activities that he was responsible for at the Biggs Air Force Base in Texas, prior to being…
Letter from Gordon Copeland to the Boston Veterans' Affairs office, regarding the benefits that the Air Force had denied him since 1953 due to his "undesirable discharge" (discharge based solely on accusation of homosexuality), dated July 3, 1979.
This type-written letter, from Gordon Copeland (Charles' partner) to the Boston Veterans' Affairs office, requests "to activate a character of service determination to determine my access to VA benefits." The letter is dated July 3, 1979 - during…
Copy of a letter from Gordon Copeland to the Secretary of the Air Force, Discharge Review Board, dated July 3, 1979.
This document is a type-written draft of a letter from Gordon Copeland, addressed to the Secretary of the Air Force, Discharge Review Board. Gordon writes, "I hope that an upgrade of my undesirable discharge will be possible without a personal…
Letter of membership recruitment for the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), addressed to Charles Shively, with handwritten notes on the back regarding Gordon Copeland's appeal for upgrade to honorable discharge.
This letter is addressed to Charles Shively, and signed by the executive director of the Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. The letter states that John Mitzel has recommended Charles for membership, and describes the achievements and value of…
ACLU Gay Rights Chapter: "UPGRADING GAY & LESBIAN VETERAN DISCHARGES"
This pamphlet, created by the ACLU of South California Gay Rights Chapter, instructs veterans on how to apply to upgrade their discharge to honorable discharge, if they had been discharged "less than honorably" due to being (or being accused of…
Newspaper clipping, reporting a fire at 135 Commonwealth Ave (Boston MA) that almost killed Gordon Copeland.
This scan is of a xerox of a newspaper clipping that describes "a blaze at on the top floor at 135 Commonwealth Ave" in which "Gordon W. Copeland," (Charles' partner) "34, an occupant... was taken to City Hospital after being overcome by smoke. He…
Schedule of personal estate in detail, schedule of real estate in detail
This undated document is a handwritten tally of someone's personal estate ($146,188.78) and real estate ($45,000). There is no name on the document. It was filed in a folder of Gordon Copeland's documents.
Mortgage document - Charles Shively's purchase of a property on Broadway in Cambridge, MA, that became his and his partner Gordon's long-time home.
This legal document is regarding the sale of a property in Cambridge by Timothy and Evelyn Kelleher to Charles Shively, for $16,000 to be paid over 10 years with 9% interest.
"Court Does Not Require the Memorandum" notice sent to Gordon Copeland from Attorney Joseph Johnston on February 23 1985.
This document is a standard form from the Middlesex Probate and Family Court Department that simply states "Court Does Not Require the Memorandum... Happy New Year." It was stored in Charles' files in an envelope addressed to Gordon Copeland…
Postcard from England. Perhaps from Gordon Copeland's mother to her father on a vacation to England in 1932.
This scan is actually of a xeroxed copy of a postcard saved in Charles' files. On the same sheet of xerox paper was also a studio portrait of Charles' partner, Gordon Copeland, at age 18 months, taken in 1932 in England (close to Gordon's father's…
Portrait photograph of Gordon Copeland at age 18 months, with a woman (possibly his mother).
This is a photocopy of a portrait photograph of Charles' partner, Gordon Copeland, at age 18 months (as noted on the back). He is standing beside a woman in a dress with lace on the shoulders. She may be Gordon's mother (Marie Thompson Copeland), or…
Love poem for Gordon Copeland, typed and handwritten drafts, dated 9 July 1965 (over 30 years before Gordon's passing).
This item includes 2 pieces of paper: one, a draft of the poem typed on a typewriter with handwritten edits, and the second, a handwritten version of the poem (probably an earlier draft) on lined composition book paper. Both versions are dated 9 July…
Draft of Gordon Copeland's Obituary
This typed paragraph appears to be a draft of Gordon's obituary run in the Boston Globe on Thursday, December 7, 1995 (also included in this collection). (Gordon Copeland was Charles Shively's partner.) This draft is not signed or dated.
Gordon's discharge from the Air Force, April 3, 1953
This discharge paper records the character of Gordon's separation from the U.S. Air Force as "Undesirable." He had enlisted on July 20, 1950 in Providence RI. He had completed 2 years, 8 months, and 13 days, and had been assigned to the Biggs Air…
Gordon Copeland's Certificate of Death
Gordon Copeland's Certificate of Death records his passing on November 23, 1995. The certificate states that he passed away at age 64, and that the immediate cause of death was "hepato cellular carcinoma" with 3 months between onset and death, and…
Last Will and Testament (envelope and 4 page document) of Gordon W. Copeland, Jr. (Charles Shively's partner), signed April 5, 1985.
This document, dated April 5, 1985, is the Last Will and Testament (envelope and 4 page document) of Gordon W. Copeland, Jr. (Charles Shively's partner). Gordon left six precious items to his sister and younger descendants (the list is archived here…
List of personal property referred to in Gordon Copeland's Last Will and Testament, April 5, 1985.
This 1-page document is a list of personal property referred to in Gordon Copeland's Last Will and Testament, April 5, 1985. The list refers to 6 items (jewelry, a watch, and a pitcher) to be inherited by Gordon's sister, children, grandchildren, and…
Death Certificate of Timothy Joseph Kelleher
This document is Timothy Kelleher's Medical Examiner's Certificate of Death. The certificate states that Timothy passed away on December 3, 1977, "en route to the Cambridge Hospital" and the causes are listed as "Coronary Heart Disease" and "Sudden…
Birth Certificate of Gordon Copeland (Charles' partner)
This is Gordon's birth certificate. He was born on June 17, 1931 in Providence RI. His father, also named Gordon, was born in Chatham, England, and his mother, Marie Thomas, was born in Syracuse, New York.
Memorial Service Program for Gordon William Copeland, Jr., Charles Shively's partner, on December 8, 1995
This is the Memorial Service Program for Gordon William Copeland, Jr., Charles Shively's partner, on December 8, 1995, at the Old Cambridge Baptist Church. The front has a small black and white photograph of Gordon along with the dates of his birth…
Four obituaries for Gordon W. Copeland Jr., Charles Shively's partner, who passed away on November 23, 1995.
This envelope contained four obituaries for Charles Shively's partner of 30 years, Gordon W. Copeland Jr. The obituaries record his passing on November 23, 1995, and note that he was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle. He attended Brown…
Letter to Charles from his mother, Florence, regarding the marriage of his brother, Mearl Jr ("Butch") to a woman named Marilyn on March 6 (year not recorded).
In this letter, Charles' mother, Florence, breaks the news that his brother "Butch" (Mearl C. Shively, Jr.) has gotten married to "an awfully nice girl" named Marilyn L. Edwards on March 6 (Marilyn's 19th birthday - year not given). Florence also…
Letter to Charles regarding his grandfather's will (Mearl A. Shively) dated April 5, 1977.
This letter is from a law firm that was representing Charles' mother and presents a copy of his father's will and requests that Charles sign and return a waiver of notice and consent to probate.
letter to Charles from an attorney regarding the estate of his brother, Stephen C. Shively
This letter from May 10, 2000 introduces Jack Cornett as the attorney retained to administer the estate of Charles' brother, Stephen C. Shively, and presents a Waiver of Notice of Application to Relieve Estate from Administration. The estate in…
Funeral Program for Florence L. Shively, Charles' mother.
This small funeral program has a yellow front page with painted picture of yellow flowers and a white church steeple, and reads "In Loving Memory." The inside contains the Twenty-Third Psalm ("The Lord is my shepherd...") and gives her dates of birth…
Obituary for Florence L. Shively, Charles' mother
This newspaper clipping is an obituary for Florence L. Shively, the mother of Charles Shively. She had died on Monday September 16, 1996, so this clipping is probably not long after that.
It was probably run in a local paper, as the article on the…
It was probably run in a local paper, as the article on the…
Letter dated September 27 1996, from Kathleen Staarman (paralegal) to Charles Shively presenting a Waiver of Notice of Application to Relieve Estate from Administration.
This letter, dated September 27 1996, presents Charles Shively with a Waiver of Notice of Application to Relieve Estate from Administration, regarding the property at 1333 East Avenue in Hamilton Ohio that had previously belonged to Charles' mother.…
Packet of 3 documents from November 6 1996 regarding Charles' deceased mother's property (transfer of property rights to Charles's brother Stephen, and Charles' receipt of receiving household goods).
This packet contains a letter from a law firm, a document confirming that Charles received one fifth of the household goods from his deceased mother's home, and a Quit Claim Deed in which Charles grants ownership of his portion of his deceased…
Front cover featuring a photo of "The 1954 All Ohio Boys' Band," perhaps including Charles.
This newspaper clipping is from the front page of The Columbus Citizen, August 28 1954, featuring a headline regarding the Ohio State Fair: "Ohio's Finest Young Musicians --- The 1954 All Ohio Boys' Band." The caption says that the band has 320…
Local Ohio newspaper announcement of Charles Shively's graduation from Harvard undergrad.
This article is from the Sunday Echo, June 21, 1959. The paper appears to be based in Fairfield Ohio. The article announces Charles' graduation magna cum laude from Harvard University, having majored in American History. The article notes that…
Local newspaper article from May 10 1958 reporting on Charles Shively (noted as a Fairfield High School graduate) making Dean's List at Harvard.
This newspaper clipping is most likely from a local newspaper, as it describes Charles as a "Fairfield High School graduate." It briefly notes that Charles (son of Mr and Mrs Mearl Shively at 2117 Tuley Rd) made the undergraduate Dean's List at…
Last Will and Testament for Charles' grandfather, Mearl Avery Shively, July 30, 1971
This is the Last Will and Testament of Mearl Avery Shively, Charles' grandfather. This will was signed by Mearl Avery and two witnesses, in Batavia Ohio, on July 30 1971. This date is a year after the death of Charles' father (Mearl Avery's son),…
Business card for Michael D. Shively with the Massachusetts' Department of Correction
This is a business card for a Deputy Director at the Massachusetts' Department of Correction, named Michael D. Shively (Ph.D.). The History Project does not currently know what relation Michael has to Charles Shively. The card gives Michael's office…
Memorial Announcement for Charles Shively's father, Mearl Carlton Shively, by the U.A.W. (likely his union) 1970
This is what appears to be a memorial announcement for Charles Shively's father, Mearl Shively, The text gives the dates of birth and death (December 15 1915-January 28 1970), as well as his occupation and union membership (3rd Shift Welder, Dept.…
Shively Coat of Arms
A small Kodak photograph of what seems to be the Shively coat of arms.
Coll. 074: Charles Shively Collection Finding Aid
Charles Shively was born in 1937. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard in 1959, and his PhD in 1969. He began teaching at Boston State College in 1965. In 1982 when BSC closed their doors, UMass Boston agreed to take seven of their thirty…
Portrait of Charles Shively as an adolescent.
This sepia-tone portrait photograph (headshot) is signed "Charles Allen Shively" with the date "[illegible] 1950." If this photograph is from 1950, Charles is 12 or 13 years old. He is wearing a white collar shirt. Blue ink from his signature has…
Portrait of Charles Shively as a boy
In this sepia-tone portrait photograph, Charles Shively in his childhood or adolescence and is wearing a button-up collar shirt with an irregular geometric pattern.
Portrait photograph of Charles Shively as an adolescent.
In this portrait photograph, Charles seems to be in his early teens. His shirt has a pale collar, back, and chest, with dark shoulders. He has a slight smile. The photograph may have been in black and white with color added.
Portrait photograph of Charles Shively as a boy
In this portrait photo, Charles Shively as a child is wearing a white button-up shirt. The photograph may have been black and white with color added. It features his head and shoulders.
6 copies of headshot/portrait, Charles Shively as a teen
This appears to be 6 copies of the same photo on one strip (perhaps a school portrait), wallet-sized, at various levels of contrast. Charles Shively as a teen.
Charles Shively, circa 1953-54 (age 16 or 17)
This appears to be a school portrait photo: a photograph of Charles as a teenager, only head and shoulders in the frame, wearing a white collar shirt. It was stored in a red pocket-sized cardboard booklet, with the handwritten date 1953-1954 on the…
Pvt. Roy J. Shively, Co # 207-64-1st, Camp Blanding, Fl, October 22 1944
A young man stands facing the camera in an empty field with trees at the edge, in front of a sign that states "NO VEHICLES ALLOWED." The back of the photograph is labeled in handwriting "Pvt. Roy J. Shively, Co # 207-64-1st, Camp Blanding, Fl,…
Possibly Charles Shively's father and uncle each holding a baby.
In this photograph, two men stand side by side against the outside of a building, each holding a baby. The two men are possibly Charles Shively's father (Mearl Carleton Shively) and Charles' uncle (Roy J. Shively).
Charles Shively, siblings, and parents in front of car.
Probably Charles Shively as a child with his mother (Florence), father (Mearl Carlton Shively), and three other children - one brother (Stephen or Mearl Jr.), and sister (possibly Ilene or Jean) posing in a field in front of a car, in which another…
Charles Shively Age 1
This is a professional portrait photograph of Charles Shively, labeled "Age 1 yr."