The Association united Phi Beta Kappa members in the Milwaukee area in order to promote scholarship, fellowship, and community welfare. The records consist primarily of the Secretary's Records which include the annual reports to the national Phi Beta Kappa Society, meeting minutes, meeting notices, correspondence, treasurer's reports, and publicity for programs. Some records of the Milwaukee Phi Beta Kappa Foundation, Inc., which the association founded to collect and adminster scholarship funds, are also included. There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. The files are organized alphabetically by personal name, name of office, or by subject, then chronologically.
Files can contain a variety of materials, including correspondence, staff memos, and reports.
The Greater Milwaukee Association of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha of Wisconsin was organized in 1954. With 55 charter members, the group adopted a constitution and issued a handbook. This group flourished until the 1920s. In 1954 some who had been members of this original group joined with others to form the Greater Milwaukee Association. In 1957 the Association formed the Milwaukee Phi Beta Kappa Foundation, Inc. to serve as a nonprofit corporation to receive donations and award scholarships.