Arthur M. Stern is an architect, well known for his work in historic preservation as well as his efforts to preserve open spaces in the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was born April 8, 1944, the son of Howard and Jane Stern. He grew up in Pine Bluff where his father was a prominent physician and his mother was well known for her environmental preservation work.
Stern received an architecture degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1968. He worked during the period 1979-1982 with the famed Cromwell Architectural firm in Little Rock, and then he went into sole practice in Pine Bluff.
In addition to his work as an architect, Stern was widely known in Pine Bluff for his work with inner-city revitalization, open space preservation, and urban planning. He was the founder and director of the Inner City Alliance for Progress in Pine Bluff during the years 1976-1979. He was also active in the Heckatoo Heritage Foundation and the Three Rivers Audubon Society.
Stern is married to Rebecca Lynn Kilmer and they are the parents of a son, Nathan Kilmer Stern, born May 9, 1989.
Arrangement: The collection is arranged in four series:
Series I – Personal: financial materials, newspaper clippings, and personal correspondence
Series II – Pine Bluff materials: correspondence, newspaper clippings, maps, and photos of projects such as revitalization of downtown Pine Bluff, restoration of historical buildings, transportation improvements, and city planning. Also contains organizations and governmental agencies related to the Pine Bluff area.
Series III– Land Use and Management: materials on “Open Space”, land trusts, conservation, and development. Also includes correspondence, reports, and newspaper clippings.
Series IV– Oversized materials: maps and aerial photographs of the Pine Bluff area and cassette tapes.
Note: When requesting materials, please specify collection number [M95-4], series number, box number, and the file number. *The UCA Archives also holds the papers of Arthur Stern’s mother, Jane E. Stern, collection number [M90-2].
Box 1
File 1 – Income Tax returns and financial notes, 1984-1986
File 2 – Newspaper clippings, 1990 and undated
File 3 – Personal data and correspondence, 1973-1989
End of Box 1
End of Series I
Box 1A
File 1 – Certificate of Incorporation: The Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, 1976
File 2 – Information for speakers about The Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, 1976-1978
File 3 – Minutes of meetings: Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, 1976-1979
File 4 – Annual Report (s): Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, 1977
File 5 – Business and Annual Report: Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, 1978
File 6 – Business and Annual Report: Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff, 1979
File 7 – News Release: Arthur Stern’s resignation from the Inner City Alliance for Progress of Pine Bluff as Executive Director, 1979
File 8- 1 Reel-to-Reel and (4) audiocassette tapes relating to buildings, African music, probate commerce, and the urban environment
File 9- Plaque: Member of IDEA (International Downtown Executives Association)
End of Box 1A
Series II
Box 1B
File 1 – Legal papers pertaining to Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1986-1987
File 2 – Tax credits and Tax Reform Acts benefiting preservation of historic buildings, 1986
File 3- Grant application to the Economic Development Administration, 1983
File 4 – Historic Preservation Certification application, 1978
File 5 – Proposals for construction on Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1986-1987
File 6 – Daily notes pertaining to Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1982-1988
File 7 – Daily notes pertaining to Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), undated
File 8 – Daily repair notes on Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1983-1986
File 9 – Financial notes relating to Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1983-1988
File 10- Financial notes relating to Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), undated
File 11- Correspondence: Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1982-1989
File 12- Assorted sketches of Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1)
File 13- Newspaper clippings: Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1), 1979-1989
File 14- Photographs taped together to show enlarged view of Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1)
File 15- Assorted copies of photographs of Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1)
File 16- Photographs of Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1)
File 17- Photographs of Old City Hall / Fire Station (No. 1)
File 18- Architectural background materials, 1972-1983
File 19- Information from Galveston, Texas on the 1894 Grand Opera House Reconstruction and Restoration, 1975-1978
File 20- Contracts and general information: Pine Street School, 1984-1988
File 21- Correspondence and newspaper clippings: Pine Street School, 1984-1987
File 22- Photographs: Pine Street School (interior and exterior views)
File 23- Blueprints for conversion of Pine Street School to Colonial Steakhouse, 1987
File 24- Field and daily notes: Pine Street School
File 25- Proposals, ordinances, and general information: Greenbelt Park / Bayou Bartholomew, 1948-1977
File 26- Newspaper clippings and correspondence: Greenbelt Park / Bayou Bartholomew, 1972-1981
File 27- Assorted maps: Greenbelt Park / Bayou Bartholomew
File 28- Reports: 16th – 17th Streets intersection improvement, 1979-1983
File 29- Correspondence and slides: 16th-17th Streets intersection improvement, 1977-1983
File 30- Newspaper clippings: 16th-17th Streets intersection improvement, 1979-1981
File 31- Miscellaneous notes: 16th-17th Streets intersection improvement
File 32- Assorted maps: 16th-17th Streets intersection improvement
End of Box 1B
Series II
Box 2
File 1 – Articles of Incorporation and financial materials: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1980-1989
File 2 – Miscellaneous materials: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1976-1989
File 3 – Membership Lists: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1982-1987
File 4 – Correspondence: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1980-1989
File 5 – Minutes and agendas: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1981-1989
File 6 – Daily notes: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation
File 7 – City revitalization background materials, 1973-1976
File 8 – Historic Preservation and Conservation Easement materials, 1947-1981
File 9 – Newspaper clippings: Heckatoo Heritage Foundation, 1981-1987
File 10- Studies and Maps: Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation, 1960-1967
File 11- Master Park Plan, outlines, ordinances, etc.: Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation, 1960-1973
File 12- Correspondence and newspaper clippings: Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation, 1973
File 13- Inner City Incorporated materials, which include by-laws, reports, brochures, and correspondence, 1976-1987
File 14- Organization management materials related to Inner City Inc., 1971-1979
File 15- Binder: assorted Inner City Alliance materials
File 16- Slides: 2nd Annual May Festival at Pine Bluff Courthouse, sponsored by Inner City Inc., 1978
File 17- Assorted lists relating to Inner City Inc., 1977 and undated
File 18- Inner City Revitalization materials, c. 1976
File 19- Miscellaneous daily notes: Inner City Inc.
File 20- Minutes and agendas: Inner City Inc., 1976-1979
File 21- Notes from meetings of the Partners for a Better Pine Bluff, 1991
File 22- Goals, plans, newspaper clippings, and notes: Partners for a Better Pine Bluff, 1991
File 23- By-Laws, Establishment Purposes, projects, membership lists, and daily notes: Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, 1973-1975
File 24- Pine Bluff transportation materials: Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, 1975-1978
File 25- Correspondence: Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, 1973-1978
File 26- Agendas and minutes: Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the Southeast Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, 1972-1977
File 27- Planning background materials, 1964-1978
File 28- Harding Drainage System materials, Pine Bluff, 1952-1973
File 29- Maps: Harding Drainage System, Pine Bluff, 1952-1971
End of Box 2
Series II
Box 3
File 1 – Correspondence, reports, financial materials, and sketches: Barraque Square, 1980
File 2 – Miscellaneous daily notes: Barraque Square, 1979-1980
File 3 – Texas Street Extension materials, Pine Bluff, 1984
File 4 – Community Profile for the City of Pine Bluff, 1991
File 5 – Pine Bluff Area Transportation Studies, c. 1976
File 6 – Correspondence, maps, and newspaper clippings: Boyd Point, Pine Bluff, 1908 and 1986
File 7 – Pine Bluff Historical materials, 1926-1978
File 8 – Miscellaneous materials: Pine Bluff, 1974-1988
File 9 – Newspaper clippings: Pine Bluff, 1972-1989
File 10- Maps: 7.5-Minute Series Topographic for the Pine Bluff Area, 1962-1970
File 11- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Caney Bayou, 1977
File 12- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Caney Bayou Tributary A, 1977
File 13- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Caney Bayou Tributary A-1, 1977
File 14- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Harding Drain, 1977
File 15- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Eden Park Drain, 1977
File 16- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Pitts Drain Tributary B, 1977
File 17- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Brumps Bayou, 1977
File 18- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Bayou Bartholomew, Sheets 1-12, 1977
File 19- Pine Bluff Urban Study Aerial Photographs – Bayou Bartholomew, Sheets 13-27, 1977
File 20- Assorted Aerial Photographs of Pine Bluff Area, undated
File 21- Miscellaneous Maps: Pine Bluff Area, 1968-1974
File 22- Correspondence, blueprints, drawings, sketches: City of Pine Bluff, 1976-1979
File 23- Newspaper clippings: Pine Bluff’s Historic Preservation Project, 1979
End of Box 3
Series II
Box 4
File 1 – 3 8″x10″ color photos – Jefferson County Courthouse at Pine Bluff, Arkansas pre. 1976
File 2 – Inner City Alliance for Progress – Arthur M. Stern, Acting Executive Director 1976-1977
File 3 – Inner City Alliance for Progress – Correspondence (Courthouse) – 1976-1977
File 4 – Notes of meetings and conversations about the courthouse – Arthur M. Stern 1976-1979
File 5 – Handwritten notes by Arthur M. Stern
File 6 – Ben Wesse, architect – Vita
File 7 – Ben Wesse, architect and courthouse restoration consultant for Inner City Alliance for Progress, hearing for the Courthouse Commission. July 14th, 1977
File 8 – 2 cassette tapes – Courthouse hearings – July 14th, 1977
File 9 – Cassette tape – Courthouse Commission – Feb. 28, 1978
File 10 – “Fifty for the Future” – 1977
File 11 – Pine Bluff Courthouse – 1976
File 12 – Pine Bluff Courthouse – 1977
File 13 – Pine Bluff Courthouse – 1978
File 14 – Pine Bluff Courthouse – 1979
File 15 – Courthouse “T” Plan – 1979
File 16 – Courthouse “Y” Plan – 1979
File 17 – Voter material “For the T Plan” for Courthouse – July 17, 1979
File 18 – Maps of Courthouse Square plan
File 19 – Newspaper articles – Courthouse fire – April 1976
File 20 – Newspaper articles – 1977
File 21 – Newspaper articles – Jan. – Feb. 1978
File 22 – Newspaper articles – March – Oct. 1978
File 23 – Newspaper articles, Courthouse – Feb. – July 1979
File 24 – In the Chancery Court of Jefferson County, Arkansas – Jim Hood vs. County Judge Joe T. Henslee and Jefferson Co. Courthouse Commissioners – January 1978
File 25 – Magazine – Time – June 11, 1979 – Article on page 182 “The Recycling of America: Old Buildings Make New Landmarks”
End of Box 4
End of Series II
Box 1
File 1 – Magazine: Open Space Action, August and October 1969
File 2 – Local Planning Guide series, The Open Space Subdivision, 1972
File 3 – Operations manual for a Local Landowner Program, Open Space Institute, 1970
File 4 – Miscellaneous materials: Open Space, 1973-1974
File 5 – “Open Space for Urban America,” 1965
File 6 – “Where Not to Build, a Guide for Open Space Planning,” 1968
File 7- Open Space materials for Pine Bluff, 1973
File 8 – “The Metro Forest,” 1973
File 9 – “Land Use and Urban Growth”, Report of the Task Force on Land Use, c. 1975
File 10- “Non-growth as a Planning Alternative,” 1972
File 11- Progress Report: Riverfront Park Development Inc., 1969
File 12- Governor’s Sub-Cabinet on Land Resource Management, 1972
File 13- “Publications on the State of Arkansas,” 1967
File 14- 2 Environmental Education Booklet: “Don’t Leave It All to the Experts”, 1 “Three Mile Island:…added Fuel to the Energy Crisis” – 1979
File 15- “The Community Land Use Game” by Allan Feldt, 1966
File 16- “Land Use Management and Environmental Protection” Arkansas Section ,American Institute of Planners, 1973
File 17- “A Land-Use Classification System for use with Remote-Sensor Data”, c. 1975
File 18- Arkansas River Region Comprehensive Development Plan, 1980
File 19- “People Space”, American Association of University Women, 1969
File 20- “City Appearance and the Law”, 1971
File 21- “Our Man-Made Environment Series” and Environment Education Booklet, 1973
File 22- “Our Man-Made Environment, Book Seven”, 1970
File 23- 1990 Comprehensive Development Plan, Pulaski Saline Metropolitan Area
File 24- Newspaper clippings: Land and Environment, 1972-1977
File 25- Land-Use Information by Philip H. Lewis, 1973
File 26- Estate Planning Information by Agricultural Extension Service, University of Arkansas, 1970-1972
File 27- Brochures: Trust Funds
File 28- Arkansas Bikeway 200, 1973
File 29- “Assessing the Ditching Dilemma”, 1973
File 30- “The Nature Conservancy News” 3 issues, 1973-1975
File 31- Land Trust materials, 1972-1977
File 32- New Canaan Land Conservation Trust Inc. materials, 1970-1973
File 33- Descriptions, Certification of Incorporation, By-Laws, policies, and financial records: Jefferson Land Conservation Trust, 1974-1978
File 34- Membership lists, agendas, and minutes: Jefferson Land Conservation Trust, 1974-1978
File 35- Correspondence: Jefferson Land Trust Inc., 1973-1979
End of Box 1
End of Series III
Box 1
Item 1 – Maps: Pine Bluff Area
Item 2 – Arkansas State Highway Maps: Jefferson County, 1972
Item 3 – Aerial Photographs: Pine Bluff Area, 1958
End of Box 1
End of Series IV
End of Collection