The collection includes correspondence, notes, newspaper and journal clippings, various organizational minutes, numerous reports and files, drafts of speeches, manuscripts and published materials dating from 1944 through 1988. The bulk of the collection dates from the early 1960s through the mid 1980s and focuses on Townes' interest in and involvement with issues concerning race, politics, and the revitalization of downtown Richmond. The collection also includes a significant amount of material on the role of African-American Republicans in the Virginia Republican Party of the 1960s and in the National Republican Party during the late 1960s and early 1970s.Related information on the revitalization and development of downtown Richmond can be found in the Richmond Renaissance Archives (M 303) and the McClenahan (M 302).Series I contains materials documenting Townes' numerous entrepreneurial and civic activities, mostly dating from the late 1950s until the early 1960s. Miscellaneous materials, which were not appropriate for other major sections of the collection, are also located within this series. Series II contains the largest quantity of material and concerns the Virginia Republican Party (1963-1966) and the Republican National Committee (1966-1972). Correspondence, reports and publications, material from Townes' race for the Virginia General Assembly and his work with the National Negro Republican Assembly (1964-1966) are included in this series, in addition to miscellaneous Republican items. Series III consists of records from Townes' work with the Joint Center for Political Studies, dating from the early 1970s. Series IV is composed of materials generated by Townes as deputy director in the early years of the Richmond Renaissance. These records focus on projects, particularly Sixth Street Marketplace and the Richmond Metro Visitors Center. Series V contains an abundant collection of publications and reports collected by Townes, many on urban and minority issues. The majority of the publications were distributed by the Republican Party (late 1960s-early 1970s). There are also U.S. government publications, publications from the Joint Center for Political Studies, and miscellaneous publications pertaining to business, education, localities, civic organizations and public policy organizations.Series VI is comprised of ephemeral material, primarily related to the Republican Party, as well as tapes of speeches, business cards, address books and business calendars. This series also contains nearly forty photographs of Townes (including photos of Townes with Martin Luther King and national political leaders) and others. Most of the photographs were taken for publicity, dating from his campaign for the General Assembly in 1965 through his days at the Republican National Committee in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
