James E. Dyer Papers

The papers of James Edmund Dyer span the years 1900 to 2008, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1970 to 1990, and primarily document his work while Mayor of Danbury, Connecticut.

The collection is organized into three series: Personal, Western Connecticut State College, and Political and Professional. The collection is organized chronologically then alphabetically within each series and consists of biographical materials, citations, correspondence, fliers, greeting cards, membership cards, newsletters, news clippings, scrapbooks, petitions, posters, postcards, press releases, printed materials, proclamations, resolutions, writings and campaign materials such as bumper stickers, campaign pins, sample ballots and mailing lists. Series 1 contains personal items relating to Dyer’s youth, his mother and father, Mary and Thomas Dyer, his wife Alice Wenzler Dyer, and his four children: Christopher, Brendan, Whitney, and Trevor. Items include diplomas, copies of birth certificates, photographs, blue prints, certificates of appreciation, and press clippings regarding special events, such as birthdays and anniversaries, and audio and visual tapes relating to his family.

Dyer is also a collector of presidential manuscripts and political Americana. He owns one of the largest private collections of Kennedy memorabilia, which has been displayed in many cities and area schools. Series 1 also contains presidential recordings and transcripts of President John F. Kennedy’s meetings with staff and advisors on Integration of the University of Mississippi, Tax Cut Proposals, Peace Corps, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Civil Rights. Comments and correspondence regarding Dyer’s private collection can be found in this series as well as correspondence with Kennedy’s personal secretary, Evelyn Lincoln. Dyer was also a frequent speaker at the annual John F. Kennedy memorial service in Danbury as well as in area schools where he spoke on Kennedy’s life and presidency.

Series 2 contains information on Dyer while he was a student at Western Connecticut State College and Trustee on the State College Board. During his years at Wesconn Dyer became more involved in local and state politics. In 1969 Dyer ran for president of the student body and lost the election. With an unsuccessful campaign behind him, he sought and won the vice presidency in 1970. Information regarding his campaigns and elections can also be found in issues of the Echo, published by the student body of WCSC.

In 1970, Governor John Dempsey appointed Dyer to serve on the State College’s Board of Trustees becoming the first undergraduate student in the state’s history to be appointed to a major board of public education.

Dyer also served as the official yearbook photographer during his school years and for several years after graduation.

Correspondence, clippings and speeches during this time indicate Dyer’s belief that change was due on state college campuses. Dyer established and served as chairman of the Keep Tuition Down Committee, established and served as state coordinator to the Coalition Against Tuition Committee, and was a member of Vote 18 Committee.

While Trustee, Dyer held unprecedented public forums on all four campuses so students, and faculty alike, could air issues of concern. Information on the public forums is covered extensively by news clippings, speeches, and press releases during this time. Researchers should also see copies of the Echo for additional information. Dyer’s published report on the open forums is located in box 18/10.

Governor Dempsey also nominated Dyer as a delegate to the 1970 White House Conference on Children and invited to attend by President Nixon. He served on the Connecticut Planning Committee and later on the Education Sub-Committee.

Series 3 contains information on Dyer’s political and professional career. With ten years of experience in government and the political process, Dyer’s political career began in earnest in 1976 when he ran as the Democratic candidate for State Representative representing Danbury’s 110th Legislative District in the Connecticut General Assembly. He won by a two to one margin and ran for a second term in 1978 and won with over 70% of the vote. Information regarding these two elections and Dyer’s activities in local and state politics that eventually led to his nomination and election is covered in depth in the chronological news clippings within this series. A brief summary of legislation, projects, and special concerns that Dyer worked on can be found in Box 48/14 in a copy of a letter to his constituents.

Dyer served four terms as Danbury’s Mayor from 1979 to 1987. Information regarding his campaigns and mayoral duties provides insight into local political campaigning and the varied duties and issues of public office. The chronological filing of this series will give the researcher the opportunity to follow the progression of certain projects from inception to fruition. Two city development projects of interest are the Redevelopment Agency’s plans to revitalize Danbury’s central business district and the controversy surrounding the choice of developer, and the building of the Danbury Fair Mall on the Danbury Fair grounds. Both projects are covered in depth and additional information can be found in news clippings.

During 1987 the FBI conducted a two year investigation looking into allegations of municipal corruption. Fallout from the FBI probe was a factor in Dyer’s loss in the November 1987 election. In December 1988 Dyer announced his intention to recapture the mayor’s office. He withdrew in March 1989, days before his indictment by a federal grand jury on seven counts of racketeering, extortion, and tax evasion. He was acquitted on charges of extortion and racketeering but convicted of filing a false income tax return in 1986. The conviction was overturned when an appeals court said New Haven U. S. District Court Judge Jose A. Cabranes erred when instructing the jury. Also, on a legal technicality, the Second Court of Appeals dismissed the government’s appeal to overturn a federal judge’s decision to bar crucial testimony in a re-trial of Dyer on the tax charge.

The correspondence files within this series are mainly incoming from local constituents voicing their concerns on issues as well as congratulatory notes and well wishes. Pre-trial and post-trial correspondence contain letters and notes of encouragement and well wishes from friends and family, and congratulatory notes and cards upon his acquittal.

The Casework files contain incoming and outgoing correspondence from the mayor’s office regarding issues of concern from constituents as well as internal correspondence between the mayor’s office and city departments. Dyer often sent handwritten replies that are indicative of his concern regarding certain issues. Interns assigned to the Mayor’s office often researched and replied to these letters as well.

The plaques and certificates which were awarded Dyer by different organizations in recognition of his contributions and services to various fields indicate the diverse range of activities in which he was involved.