This list contains examples of manuscript collections held in the Mansfield Library's Archives & Special Collections Department that have content relevant to the study of land use, conservation, and the environment. Many of these collections document activities in western Montana. Additional collections may be found by using the Mansfield Library Catalog or by searching the Northwest Digital Archives. Clicking on the collection title will link you through to a complete guide to the collection when one is available. Please contact Archives & Special Collections for additional information about these materials and our other resources.
Papers of Individuals
G. M. Brandborg Papers (1893-1977), Mss 691, 14.5 linear feet
Papers of Guy M. "Brandy" Brandborg, long-time employee of the U. S. Forest Service and Forest Supervisor of the Bitterroot National Forest from 1935-1955. The collection includes files related to Brandborg's interest in and activities related to wilderness, conservation, and watershed protection efforts in Montana, and two memorial scrapbooks documenting his activities in favor of sustainable timber harvesting and against extensive clearcutting.
Stewart M. Brandborg Papers (1932-2000), Mss 699, 45.0 linear feet
This collection consists of the professional papers of environmental activist Stewart M. Brandborg. Brandborg served as Executive Director of The Wilderness Society from 1964-1977 and his papers include correspondence, research files and other documents from his time with that agency. Other materials cover his work with the National Wildlife Federation, the National Park Service, Wilderness Watch, and Friends of the Bitterroot (Montana.)
Arnold Bolle Papers (1930-1994), Mss 600, 40.7 linear feet
Arnold Bolle was a leading figure in the Montana conservation movement. The collection contains writings, correspondence, research, and other materials from Arnold Bolle's career in the Soil Conservation Service, as a forestry professor at The University of Montana, his work on A University View of the Forest Service, and the organizations he worked with before and during his retirement, like the Wilderness Society and the Montana Wilderness Association.
Meyer Chessin Papers (1930-1992), Mss 630, 21.8 linear feet
This collection contains papers which represent Chessin’s career at the University of Montana. His scholarly research interests included plant physiology, pathology, photobiology and virology. He was also interested in broader environmental and civic issues including herbicides and pesticides, solid waste management, the effects of nuclear weapons and radiation and disarmament, and was instrumental in establishing the Western Montana Scientists Committee for Public Information.
Morton J. Elrod Papers (1885-1959), Mss 486, 55.5 linear feet
Morton J. Elrod was an early Montana botanist, naturalist, University of Montana professor, and photographer. The collection consists of materials produced and collected by Elrod from his college and early teaching years through the early 1930s. Significant subjects include the flora and fauna of western Montana; Glacier National Park; the University of Montana; and Missoula, Montana.
Cecil Garland Papers (1924-2006), Mss 637, 4.5 linear feet
During the 1960's, Garland lead the effort include the Scapegoat Wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This collection contains materials from Cecil Garland's work with the Lincoln Back Country Protective Association and his personal conservation and Forest Service work.
Harry T. Gisborne Papers (1899-1949), Mss 098, 35 linear feet
Harry T. Gisborne was a forester and pioneering fire scientist in the northern Rocky Mountains. This collection includes an array of materials reflecting Gisborne's professional activities and interests, with particular emphasis on wildland fire behavior, prediction, and management.
Clarence C. Gordon Papers (1932-1982), Mss 611, 101 linear feet
Clarence "Clancy" C. Gordon served as a professor of Botany and Environmental Studies at the University of Montana-Missoula from 1960 until his death in 1981. This collection contains materials related to Gordon's prolific environmental research while at the University, and his participation as a key witness in litigation brought against major polluters in Montana, the United States, Canada and Germany during the 1960s and 1970s.
Joseph A. Mussulman Papers (1966-1992), Mss 652, 2.0 linear feet
This collection contains papers from Joseph Mussulman's work with the Friends of the Rattlesnake to create the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness. An oral history interview with Mussulman is also available (OH 409).
W. Leslie Pengelly Papers (1937-1988), Mss 633, 9.4 linear feet
This collection contains papers created and compiled by Pengelly representing his career in wildlife management and conservation. They include correspondence, speeches and writings, research papers, teaching papers, service papers, photographs and papers from Pengelly’s service on the Montana Fish and Game Commission and as president of The Wildlife Society.
Elizabeth Reitell Smith (1920-2001), Mss 623, 19.5 linear feet
This collection contains materials relevant to Elizabeth Smith’s work as a Montana wilderness and environmental activist. The bulk of the materials includes research, newsletters, drafts of speeches, position papers and correspondence between 1965 and 1980.
Kim Williams Papers (1940-1986), Mss 218, 12.75 linear feet
Kim Williams was a writer, naturalist, teacher, and radio commentator. Materials are divided into eight series: biographical information, diaries, general correspondence, financial records, speeches and writings, subject files, clippings and photographs.
Papers of Montana Politicians
Joseph M. Dixon Papers (1772-1944), Mss 55, 70 linear feet
Joseph M. Dixon was governor of Montana and served in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and in the Department of the Interior; he was also a national leader in the Republican and Bull Moose Parties. This collection contains a large portion of his personal and professional correspondence files, legal documents, financial records, campaign/political materials, photographs, and personal effects.
James E. Murray Papers (1934-1961), Mss 91, 483 linear feet
James E. Murray was a Montana Democrat who served in the U. S. Senate from 1934 to 1960. The collection contains the senatorial papers of Murray from 1934 until his retirement from office. The collection consists of general correspondence, legislative materials, speeches and writings, clippings, film, and photographs.
Pat Williams Papers (1979-1997), Mss 239, 87.5 linear feet
Pat Williams was in the U. S. House of Representatives for Montana from 1979 to 1997. This collection consists of the materials generated and collected by Williams' office during his eighteen years in office. Significant subjects include wilderness legislation, education, Native American issues, libraries, the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, labor issues, and the environment.
Organizational Records
Concerned Citizens for Quality Environment (Missoula County, Mont.) Records (1968-1976), Mss 194, 1.5 linear feet
The collection contains general correspondence, research materials, and writings created and/or collected by Concerned Citizens for Quality Environment chairman Gail L. Owen, who was concerned about the proposed expansion of the Hoerner-Waldorf kraft paper mill outside Frenchtown, Montana.
Dude Ranchers Association Records (1926-1971) Mss 97, 2 linear feet
The Dude Ranchers Association was formed in Montana and Wyoming as an advocacy group for dude ranches and other forms of rural tourism.
GASP (Gals Against Smog and Pollution) (1958-1970), Mss 43, 3.5 linear feet
GASP was a grassroots air quality organization active in Missoula, Montana, in the late 1960s. The collection details the organization and history of GASP and documents general air and water pollution conditions in Montana and in the United States.
Institute of the Rockies Records (1941-1994), Mss 655, 0.4 linear feet and unprocessed
The Institute of the Rockies was established in Missoula, Montana, in 1973. The focus of Institute projects and workshops included elementary education, the structure of local government, county heritage centers, energy and water policies in Montana, the Columbia River Watch and the use of chemicals in agriculture. The collection contains minutes, correspondence, newsletters and other materials generated by the Institute.
Lincoln Back Country Protective Association (1963-1972), Mss 195, 0.5 linear feet
The Lincoln Back Country Protective Association was formed to preserve land near Lincoln, Montana, as a roadless wilderness area. The collection contains correspondence, Lincoln Back Country-Scapegoat Wilderness legislation, statements and testimony from Senate hearings, newspaper clippings, and LBCPA publications.
Montana Conservation Council Records (1947-1975), Mss 189, 4.75 linear feet
The Montana Conservation Council was an organization founded in 1948 to educate Montanans about wise use of natural resources. The collection contains the organization's correspondence, governance documents, newsletters, clippings, and photographs that document its interests in soils, forests, wildlife, reclamation efforts, the work of women (including garden clubs and women's clubs), range management, and conservation education.
Northern Montana Forestry Association Records (1907-1991), Mss 34, 36.5 linear feet
The Northern Montana Forestry Association was a private fire protection and forest preservation organization in northwestern Montana. The collection contains correspondence, financial records, reports, minutes, equipment records, memorabilia, and photographs accumulated during the existence of the organization as an active fire fighting entity.
Western Montana Fish and Game Association Records (1915-1982), Mss 213, 5.5 linear feet
The Western Montana Fish and Game Association was formed to further the conservation interests of hunters and fishermen. The collection contains material generated by the activities of the Association from 1915 to 1981.
Wilderness Policy History Project Collection (1922-2003), Mss 639, 23 linear feet
This collection contains materials compiled during the Wilderness Policy History Project at the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center. The project's purpose was to compile records that could be used by wilderness managers, researchers, policy makers, and interested citizens to gain a clear historical understanding of Wilderness Act policy, evolution and language.
Photograph Collections
Kenneth D. Swan Photographs and Audio Tapes (1911-1969), Mss 345, 6004 photographs and 10 audio tapes
K. D. Swan was the first photographer for the U.S. Forest Service's Northern Region Headquarters in Missoula, Montana. This collection contains images of outdoor and town scenes in and around Missoula and other Montana communities, as well as images from some national forests, national parks, and states surrounding Montana.
