Dottie Schick Collection of Political Memorabilia, 1926-2004 (bulk 1968-2002)

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Collection, 1926-2004 (bulk 1968-2002), of Dottie Schick, longtime Northern Virginia Democratic activist. Throughout her career in politics, Mrs. Schick collected a variety of Democratic artifacts and memorabilia. The bulk of the collection includes materials collected during her tenure, 1968-2004, although she collected materials dating to 1926. The collection includes campaign brochures and posters, correspondence, inaugural invitations and programs, Democratic Committee and Democratic Party of Virginia convention materials, photographs, publications, and scrapbooks. Also included are numerous artifacts including bumper stickers, campaign buttons, commemorative coins, lapel pins, hats, and pens. Campaign materials are included for Leslie Byrne, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry Howell, John F. Kennedy, George McGovern, Harold Miller, J. Sargeant Reynolds, Charles Robb, Franklin Roosevelt, Mary Sue Terry, Harry F. Truman, Mark Warner, and L. Douglas Wilder, among others. Although the majority of the collection relates to the Democratic Party, included are some artifacts and papers relating to the Republican Party.

Biographical / historical:

Dorothy (Dottie) Schick (1930-2005) was the daughter of Bertha and Albert Wasserman of Arlington, Virginia. The Wasserman's owned the landmark Al's Motors, the oldest Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in Northern Virginia. Dottie Schick graduated from Washington and Lee High School, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, and studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Mrs. Schick was a longtime Northern Virginia Democratic activist and served as a member of the Democratic National Committee and chairwoman of the Fairfax Democratic Committee. For 38 years, Dottie and her husband, Adolph (Sonny) Schick, hosted the annual Mason District Democratic Committee Crab Feast, attended by hundreds of elected officials, candidates, lobbyists, and supporters. Guests ranged from former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton to former governors Charles S. Robb and L. Douglas Wilder, along with many local officials and candidates.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Adolph Schick, 18 April 2006.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Papers, 1926-2004
  • Series II. Campaign Buttons, 1937-2004
  • Series III. Artifacts, 1963-2002
  • Series IV. Bumper stickers, ca. 1970-2000
  • Series V. Clippings, 1976-1992
  • Series VI. Oversize, ca. 1970-2000
  • Series VII. Scrapbooks, 1968-1992
Physical description:
22.75 cu. ft. (67 boxes)