Modern sewage treatment plants, comprehensive plans, and urban renewal were progressive ideas in small towns like Elkton in the 1950s and 1960s.  But John P. Stanley, Commissioner and then Mayor of Elkton from 1963 to 1967, promoted these ideas in meetings and speeches, and saw many of them come to fruition. 

The Historical Society of Cecil County has just acquired the personal papers of John P. Stanley, the former Commissioner, Mayor, civic leader and World War II veteran who also operated Stanley's Newsstand on Main Street in Elkton for many years.  The collection was donated by John Stanley's daughter, Deborah Storke Stanley.  "This collection has historical value because Mr. Stanley carefully collected and saved vital documents related to the issues most important to him," says Jenifer Dolde, the museum consultant who cataloged the collection.  "He also saved handwritten copies of his speeches.  He spoke quite eloquently and convincingly."

John Stanley's family came to Elkton from New Jersey in 1919, when his father purchased the newsstand.  Three years after graduating from Washington College in Chestertown with a degree in chemistry, Stanley joined the Army and served in the United States and Europe during World War II as a supply officer.  Following the war, he became involved in numerous civic organizations, including the Civil Defense Command, American Legion and Elkton Chamber of Commerce.  He was first elected a Commissioner of the Town of Elkton in 1955.

Stanley's involvement in the Maryland Municipal League appears to have solidified his commitment to bringing "modern" ideas to Elkton.  While Commissioner under Mayor Edmund McCloskey, Stanley began collecting information on public works planning and economic development and, in 1963, a master development plan, "Elkton Today and Tomorrow" was completed.  By 1966, Elkton had its own Urban Renewal Director.  During Stanley's tenure as Mayor, some of these proposals were implemented, including the expansion of county office space and improvements to streets. 

Even after leaving office, Stanley help guide long-term projects like water and sewerage improvements as a member of the Elk Creeks Watershed Steering Committee.  In addition to government documents and personal papers, the Stanley Collection includes a scrapbook of newspaper clippings.  According to Ms. Dolde, "The scrapbook in many ways provides a snapshot of planning and politics in Elkton in the 1950s and 1960s."

The Historical Society hopes to become the home to other historically significant collections like the Stanley Papers, which are now available for use by researchers who visit the library.  The detailed collection guide is also available on the Society's website.  "This collection will become a template for other archival collections at the Society," reports Mike Dixon, President of the Historical Society.  "We are committed to making these kinds of materials accessible and at the same time preserve them for future generations." 

The library is open for research Mondays from 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the fourth Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The Society is closed on all major holidays.  For more information about the John P. Stanley Papers and other resources, contact the Historical Society of Cecil County by phone at (410) 398-1790 or email at history@cchistory.org or visit their website at http://cchistory.org.