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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06/01/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding life on base, friend Howie Baumgarten, extensive thoughts on Zionism and Palestine.
05/31/1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding correspondence with friends and family, news of Grandpa Bernstein, reading, romantic attachments and "crushes," hopes for a quick return to the U.S.
05/22/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding extensive review, quotations, and anecdotes from Yankee from Olympus, biography of Oliver Wendell Holmes; reflections on role of Boston and Harvard in shaping of American society.
05/17/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding anticipation of invasion; thoughts of American soldiers across the world; faith in General Eisenhower.
05/15/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding letters received from Sumner; speculation about where Sumner is; news of folks from home.
05/11/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding lack of time and concentration to write a long letter.
05/10/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding matters at his law office; detailed description of a case involving a client arrested for receiving stolen goods; detailed description of another case involving the purchase of a business block.
04/18/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding previous letter from Sumner about correspondence with a young woman; Sumner's correspondence with friends from home.
04/17/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding mail delay; Regional Executive Committee meeting of the Boy Scouts in Boston; trip to New York to visit family.
04/12/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel wondering whether Sumner is on his way to the Pacific theater.
04/06/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding story about Bob Hale at the British Embassy; disappointment that Wilkie is dropping out of the Republican presidential race; alternative Republican candidates.
03/03/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding paper given at Torch Club on sovereignty and internationalism; Maine Jewish Committee.
02/17/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding Sumner's new assignment; urging Sumner to learn the science of telegraphy.
02/11/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding losses at poker; thoughts on hospitality.
01/31/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding talk by Mueller; funeral of Mr. Lyons, Treasurer of the Saco-Moc Shoe Company, in Boston; monthly meeting of Boy Scouts.
01/20/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding New England Scouting Conference in Boston; attendance at Shul; Draft Board work; response to Sumner's description of a bad date; anticipation of Sumner's assignment.
01/14/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding New England Conference on Scouting; positive impacts of Boy Scouts; Grandpa going to New York to live with Aunt Ida.
01/07/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding purchase of bonds; Uncle Louie's post in Louisiana; Israel's attendance at services and observance of religious duties in honor of his late mother's wishes.
01/04/1944

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding purchase of bonds; mailing watch from Uncle Heinie and care package; things he has heard about Camp Reynolds.
1944

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein (date missing) with detailed description of day on boat at West Coast port, prior to embarking for the South Pacific.
1944 B

Sumner T. Bernstein

Sumner Bernstein's handwritten log of his time on a ship in the Pacific.
1944 C

Sumner T. Bernstein

V-mail to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding experience on ship.
06/29/1943

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding mail delivery, test on ordnance, thoughts on role in the Army.
05/28/1943

Israel Bernstein

Letter to Sumner Bernstein from father Israel regarding hope for Sumner's promotion to officer, football metaphor for confidence.
06/28/1943 B

Sumner T. Bernstein

Letter to family from Sumner Bernstein regarding experience at officer training, arrival of mail.