Sumner T. Bernstein Correspondence

Sumner Thurman Bernstein (1924 - 2002) grew up in Portland, Maine, the son of lawyer parents. He served in the South Pacific in the U.S. Army during World War II (achieving the rank of Captain) and attended Harvard University for his undergraduate education and for law school. He returned to Portland after marrying Rosalyne Spindel in 1949, to join his father and uncle’s law practice, which he helped to grow into Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer and Nelson in 1964. He was very engaged with the community, participating in the following organizations, among others, often serving as president or chair of these groups for a portion of his tenure: Portland City Council (1955-1961); Portland School Committee (1955-58); Portland Housing Authority; Downtown Portland Corporation; Maine State Bar Association; Maine Bar Foundation; Jewish Federation of Southern Maine; Temple Beth El; Maine Jewish Council; Jewish Community Center; National Council of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee; Pine Tree Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Portland YMCA; Maine Medical Center; Portland Public Library; and World Affairs Council of Maine. He also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Maine School of Law from 1993-98 and was a member of their Board of Visitors, and he was an instructor at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of Southern Maine. The Papers document his civic work and personal life. They include correspondence, newspaper clippings, and text of his speeches and talks. Of particular value are 25 folders of family correspondence dating from 1940 to 1945, which include letters covering Bernstein’s military training and World War II service. Other records and reminiscences of his army service and Harvard education are present, as well. The Papers also include materials related to his final illness and death, including letters of sympathy and condolence, information about contributions made in his honor, obituaries, eulogies, and other tributes, and videos/cassettes of memorial services and other celebrations of his life. The Papers also include two albums – one documenting the 85-year history of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer, and Nelson and the other a collection of notes and photos compiled for The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine’s Evening to Honor Sumner and Rosalyne Bernstein (May 15, 2000).

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07/28/1944 B

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding Dewey's condemnation of Hamilton Fish; potential cabinet members for a Dewey presidency; hope for Germany's quick collapse.
07/28/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding friend from home Ned Hanscomb; Portland Players; news from Uncle Lou; correspondence.
07/27/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding discussion on American economics; B'nai Brith's position on Commonwealth issue; description of living situation.
07/26/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding mathematical computation; book being sent separately.
07/25/1944 B

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding nightmare Israel had about Sumner overexerting himself; correspondence between Sumner and Dot; restrictions on availability of certain books to servicemembers.
07/25/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding correspondence with Dot Fried; thoughts on GI Bill of Rights; recent USO show.
07/24/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding crack in German morale; attempted assassination of Hitler; impact on war in Pacific; Democratic Convention; presidential race; Between Tears and Laughter by Liu Yutang.
07/24/1944 B

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding mail delay; impressions of tentmate Herb; news clippings; which American politicians are responsible for the war; sister Helen's social life.
07/23/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding correspondence, GI Bill of Rights, activities on base.
07/22/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding invasion of Guam; adjustment to life in the New Hebrides; GI Bill of Rights; the war in Europe; reports of Hitler's deposition as party leader.
07/20/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding officers' discussion of governments in exile; economics; Strange Fruit; native population of the island; description of tentmate Herb and his wife, who converted to Judaism when they married.
07/19/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding entertainment on base; orientation talk; weather; who will get to Paris first; tentmate Herb's attitude toward pleasure reading.
07/17/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding arrival of mail; testifying about fatal accident; news from home; squatters at summer cottage on Menikoe Point; Falmouth elite's attitudes toward Bernstein family; Jewish majority rule in Palestine.
07/16/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding witnessing a Jeep rollover accident; Republican convention; thoughts on Dewey.
07/15/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding correspondence, reading materials and library on base, hopes for starting a discussion group.
07/13/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding correspondence; sister Helen's social life; news from home; bridge hands.
07/12/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding tongue-in-cheek piece about changing a typewriter ribbon; future relationships with Soviet Union.
07/11/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding arrival of mail; news from home; thoughts on high school and college education and moving on to law school; Antisemitic publicity against Dewey; correspondence with Dot Fried and Willie.
07/09/944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding mail delay; letter to friend about handling of Antisemitism in Cambridge; bridge game; memories of summer camp.
07/08/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding mail delay; thoughts on Wilkie and Dewey; conflict with tentmate Herb over sharing duties.
07/07/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding sister Helen's busy schedule; inquiries after Sumner's specific work responsibilities.
07/06/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding test of v mail service; savings bond; entertainment on base; setting up tent; memories of Harvard.
07/05/1944 B

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding sister Helen's birthday; news from the office; news clippings.
07/05/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding orientation; upcoming USO shows; weather.
07/05/1944 C

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding news from home; description of his role; discussion of what information can be shared publicly; news clippings.