Mark Bortman Papers
Scope and Content Note
This collection primarily consists of MB's correspondence and memorabilia pertaining to his Americana collections and involvement in the People-to-People Program. The bulk of the correspondence consists of condolence letters sent to MB's wife, Llora, and include letters from former Presidents Eisenhower and Truman, and former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Bortman's own correspondence includes letters from these luminaries as well as Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister. Several photographs, some signed, of Bortman with Vice President and Lady Bird Johnson, Churchill, and Eisenhower are included, as well as scrapbooks with news clippings and programs regarding the People-to-People program and the Paul Revere Liberty Bowl.
Dates
- undated, 1948-1967
Language of Materials
The collection is in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for researcher use. Please contact us to request access or to make an appointment to view this collection at jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Use Restrictions
There may be some restrictions on the use of this collection. For more information contact jhcreference@nehgs.org.
Biographical Note
Mark Bortman (MB) was born in Romania on June 28, 1896 to David and Sophie Bortman. In 1904, Bortman and his parents immigrated to the West End of Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended local schools. After graduating from English High School, he attended Boston University from 1923-1924, Suffolk Law School from 1931-1932, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1942. In 1921, he married Llora Cohen; they had one daughter, Jane Bortman Larus.
Bortman was a businessman, and served as President of both Bortman Plastics, Inc. and the Blaxton Corporation. However, he was also a lifelong student of American history and a strong supporter of civic service. In 1948, Bortman and his wife donated over 2000 early Americana manuscripts and artifacts to Boston University (now the Howard Gotleib Archival Research Center). Bortman was also instrumental in the return of Paul Revere's Liberty Bowl to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In 1956 President Dwight Eisenhower named Bortman Chairman of the People-to-People Civic Committee. Developed by Eisenhower, the program's goal was- and remains to this day- to promote cultural understanding throughout the international community. From 1959-1961 Bortman served as Chairman to the People-to-People Program, overseeing the Sister City Program, which paired together American and international cities.
Chronology
- 1896
- MB born in Romania
- 1904
- Immigrates to Boston, Massachusetts with parents
- 1921
- Marries Llora S. Cohen
- 1923-1924
- Attends Boston University
- 1931-1932
- Attends Suffolk Law School
- 1942
- President of Bortman Plastics, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts
- 1942
- Attends Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 1946-1960
- President of the Blaxton Corporation
- 1948
- Donates Americana collection to Boston University
- 1949
- Recipient of Good Citizenship Medal, Sons of the American Revolution
- 1949
- Director of the Bostonian Society
- 1949-1954
- Chairman, Paul Revere Liberty Bowl Committee
- 1950
- Director of the Old South Meeting House Association
- 1954-1955
- Treasurer, American Jewish Historical Society
- 1956
- Chairman of the People-to-People Civic Committee
- 1959-1961
- Chairman of the People-to-People Program
- 1960
- Honored by "Old Time West Enders"
- 1962
- Honorary Degree, Sunshine University, Pinellas County, Florida
- 1963
- Honorary Degree, Emerson College, Boston, Massachusetts
- 1967
- MB dies
Extent
4.15 linear feet (1 manuscript box, 1 half-manuscript box, 2 OS boxes)
Abstract
This collection primarily consists of MB's correspondence and memorabilia pertaining to his Americana collections and involvement in the People-to-People Program. The bulk of the correspondence consists of condolence letters sent to MB's wife, Llora, and include letters from former Presidents Eisenhower and Truman, and former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Bortman's own correspondence includes letters from these luminaries as well as Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister. Several photographs, some signed, of Bortman with Vice President and Lady Bird Johnson, Churchill, and Eisenhower are included, as well as scrapbooks with news clippings and programs regarding the People-to-People program and the Paul Revere Liberty Bowl.
Physical Location
Located in Boston, Mass.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Jane Bortman Larus in 1996.
Processing Information
Processed by Stephanie Call, 2007
- Acheson, Dean, 1893-1971
- Americana
- Awards
- Bortman, Llora
- Chagall, Marc, 1887-1985
- Churchill, Clementine, Lady, 1885-1977
- Civic leaders
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Cultural relations
- Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969
- Hayes, Moses Michael
- Herter, Christian Archibald, 1895-1966
- Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007
- Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
- Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
- MacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964
- Pamphlets
- People-to-People (Organization)
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
- Revere, Paul, 1735-1818
- Scrapbooks
- Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
- Title
- Guide to the Mark Bortman Papers, P-856
- Author
- Processed by Stephanie Call
- Date
- 2007
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Sponsor
- Processed by Stephanie Call, Schilder Assistant Archivist, made possible by a grant from the Schilder Family Fund. This collection has been digitized, made possible by a grant from the Trustees u/w of Herman Dana.
Repository Details
Part of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at American Ancestors Repository