The papers reflect Ernest Hillman's participation in politics in the years following his retirement from Hillman Coal and Coke Company in 1945 and were preserved by his grandson, R. Gregg Hillman. There are two separate groups of alphabetical files: those pertaining to Hillman's support of Senator Robert A. Taft, particularly in spring and summer of 1952, and alphabetical files relating to his other numerous and varied political activities over many years. The Taft files are focused and detail Hillman's leadership and participation in the local Citizens' Committee for Bob Taft and the committee's role in the national political scene. Material related to the Republican National Convention in July 1952 is included and is particularly interesting. The ephemera collected at the convention and from other local events add a colorful dimension to the files. Ernest Hillman served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Citizens' Committee for Bob Taft for Allegheny County in 1952. The Taft committee files include much correspondence, especially copies of letters to various persons involved locally, statewide, and nationally with Senator Taft's efforts to become the Republican nominee for President. Files document events and also include notes, speeches, clippings, detailed event preparation, issue information, fund raising efforts, as well as some original letters from and signed by many notable historical figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert A. Taft, for example. The general political files contrast with the Taft files since they cover a broader array of activities and years, beginning in the 1940s. These files include not only Hillman's term as Allegheny County Commissioner (1947-1951), but also subsequent years during which he continued to be politically active in the community and nationally, until his death in the late 1960s. The files include letters to and from governors and political leaders of Pennsylvania, as well as other state and national political figures, varying political topics and organizations, correspondence to and from constituents and other community leaders, and invitations and material regarding events attended. Included are speeches given by Hillman, especially while he was County Commissioner, news releases, and clippings and brochures on current issues. The Correspondent Name Index includes entries for persons not explicitly mentioned in the Contents List.
