This collection contains twenty scrapbook albums documenting the life and career of Benjamin David (B.D.) Schwartz, his wife Sylvia, and their family beginning in 1918 and ending in 1993. Materials contained within these scrapbooks document cultural, economic, and political life in Wilmington over the course of 75 years. They provide a view of life in the port city during important eras in American history including the Great Depression, World War II, and the civil rights movement. Importantly, these scrapbooks include documents pertaining to a period of significant racial discord and violence in Wilmington during the late 1960s and early 1970s. They also shed light on all aspects of government at both local and state levels and illustrate the network and influence of politicians particularly in eastern North Carolina. Finally, they provide a glimpse into the experience of a Jewish family living in the South and the Zionist movement during the 20th century.