Scope and Contents:

The Central Files series documents all major NAM initiatives until about 1970. Prior to its move to Washington, DC in 1974, NAM maintained files in a central location. The subseries and file order reflect how NAM maintained the files. It is arranged into fifty subseries according to subject headings created by NAM. The subject headings are denoted by a subject code, 100-A through 100-ZZ and 200-A. Subject code 100-E, files related to Industrial Relations, were removed from the original run of files and can be found in Series XXV, Open Shop Department and Series XVII, Industrial Relations Department.

The subseries are: General files; Memoranda; Advertising; Promotion; Awards; Industrial Environment Division; Biographies; Inter-office bulletins; Business, Industry, Education Day (BIE Day); Chamber of Commerce; International Labor Organization (ILO); Charters; Government Relations Division — Government finance; NAM policy committees; Conventions; Corporate records; Financial records; Education Department; Free enterprise; Films; International Conference of Manufacturers; Science and Technology Department; Council for Latin America; Inflation; Insurance; International Affairs Division; La Follette Committee; Lobbying; Program Planning Division; Conferences, meetings — other than NAM; Membership; Toland, Lt. Ben; Reports; Organizations, foundations, and associations; Personnel; Positions; Public information — public relations; Publications; Radio and TV; Releases; Religion (clergy-industry); Research; Speeches; Taxes; United Nations; United States government; Women’s clubs; National Industrial Council (NIC); Market Development/Distribution Department; and Urban affairs.

This series should be used in conjunction with individual departments series.

Scope and Contents: The Corporate Records series includes Board of Directors records and material related to the committees that fall under “administrative committees” as well as the corporate secretary, NAM library, and papers from two executive vice presidents. It consists of twelve subseries: Board of Directors, Congress of American Industry, Audit Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Financial, Office of the Corporate Secretary, NAM Library, Forest Rettgers papers, William Blasier papers, and Michael Baroody papers.The Board of Directors subseries includes material related to planning Board of Directors meetings, biographies of directors, meeting materials, transcripts, director orientations, minutes, correspondence, and other activities related to the Board of Directors. It is broken into three groups of files. The first group contains Board of Directors minutes from 1906 to 2005, as compiled by the NAM in ledgers or microfilm. The next group is arranged chronologically by meeting, from 1970 to 2018. The last group of files is comprised of those not tied to a specific meeting, but rather the Board in a larger context. These files are arranged alphabetically, and then chronologically if necessary. When the headquarters moved in 1973, it was decided to have semi-annual Board of Directors’ meetings instead of three, with the spring meeting being held at a different location throughout the United States and the fall meeting typically in Washington, DC.From the early years of the organization until the mid-1970s, NAM held its Congress of American Industry each December at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. This multi-day meeting featured panels, keynote speakers, entertainment, a women’s program for wives, and a large dinner. This subseries documents Congresses held, with an emphasis on the program, including transcripts and press releases. The folders are arranged by meeting. When the NAM moved its headquarters from New York City to Washington, DC in 1974, the meeting no longer retained its name or location.The Audit Committee subseries includes minutes and meeting materials from 1984 to 1997. This committee was responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process and audit results. This material should be considered in conjunction with the Finance Committee and Financial subseries.The Executive Committee subseries includes papers related to committee meetings held multiple...