This collection contains material relating to Christopher Breiseth's work at Sangamon State University and his work with various community action organizations. The collection is divided into six series: Community Action Program Mission Notebooks and Reports, Community Action Program Reference Files, ‘The War on Poverty’ Publications, Springfield Urban League, Sangamon State University, and Correspondence.

Series I: Community Action Program Mission Notebooks and Reports, 1965-1972 consists of memoranda, reports, directives, and policy statements regarding the policies, mission, and strategy of the Community Action Program (CAP) of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO). Arranged alphabetically.

Series II: Community Action Program Reference Files, 1964-1970 consists of unpublished manuscripts, reference articles, reports, and bibliographies collected on a variety of issues related to poverty and the CAP. Topics include citizen participation, community development, neighborhood organization, education, cooperatives, poverty, housing, urban renewal, the Los Angeles riots, race relations, and rural communities. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III: ‘War on Poverty’ Publications, 1965-1971 contains publications showing the nature and scope of the "War on Poverty" waged by the Office of Economic Opportunity. Arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Springfield Urban League, 1972, 1978 contains letters, memos, reports, and other documents relating to the Springfield Urban League. Arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Sangamon State University, 1970-1980 contains materials relating to Breiseth’s work at the university and is divided into four sub-series: University Committees and Administration, History Program Administration, Course Materials, and Research and Projects.

Series V, Sub-series A: University Committees and Administration, 1970-1980 contains records relating to the administration of Sangamon State University, primarily committees on which Breiseth served. Records include minutes, notices, announcements, faculty papers, and memos and correspondence of both ad hoc and standing committees on curricula, degree requirements, administrative policies, and personnel. The sub-series also contains detailed records of the Sangamon State Faculty Union. Arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Sub-series B: History Program Administration, 1971-1977 contains History Program records, including announcements, memos, minutes, course proposals and program revision proposals. Arranged chronologically.

Series V, Sub-series C: Course Materials, 1967-1984 contains course materials for History courses and Public Affairs Colloquia including syllabi, textbook lists, teaching materials, assignment and exam prompts, and class notes, as well as proposals for new courses. Arranged according to university term.

Series V, Sub-series D: Research and Projects, 1972-1979 contains materials relating to Breiseth’s historical work, such as research, his own and others’ academic articles, and materials relating to special projects including project proposals, correspondence, memoranda, planning documents, and final reports. Arranged alphabetically.

Series VI: Correspondence, 1972-1980 contains correspondence with local historical organizations, former students, and colleagues.