Descriptive summary
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creator:
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Murray,
William Gordon (1903-1991)
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title:
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Papers
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dates:
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ca 1850s-1991,
n.d.
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extent:
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40.53 linear feet (22 records center cartons, 3
document boxes, 1 half-document box, two oversized boxes,
3 shoe boxes, 3 small artifact boxes, and 2 oversized
folders in the map case)
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collection number:
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RS 13/09/15
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repository:
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University Archives, Special Collections Department,
Iowa State University. |
Administrative
information
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access:
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Open for research
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publication
rights: |
Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
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preferred citation:
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William Gordon Murray Papers, RS 13/09/15, Special
Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.
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Biographical
information
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William
Gordon “Bill” Murray was born on July 15, 1903 in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Dr. Frederick G. and Jeanett
(Stevenson) Murray. He received a B.A. (1924) from Coe
College in economics, an M.A. (1925) from Harvard
University in economics, and a Ph.D. (1932) from the
University of Minnesota in agricultural economics.
Dr.
Murray served as a graduate assistant (1925-1926) in the
agricultural economics department at Iowa State College
(University). After briefly serving as an Assistant
Agricultural Economist with the United States Department
of Agriculture, he returned to Iowa State as an
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics
(1927-1931). He was promoted to Associate Professor
(1931-1937), Professor (1937-1974), and Professor
Emeritus in 1974. Dr. Murray also served as the Head of
the Department of Economics and Sociology at Iowa State
(1944-1955). His research interests included farm
credit, farm appraisal, and tax assessment of farm real
estate. Among his major publications are Farm
Appraisal: classification and valuation of farm land and
buildings (ISU Press 1st edition 1940, 6th
edition, 1980), and Agricultural Finance; principles
and practice of farm credit (ISU Press 1st
edition 1941, 7th edition 1980).
Murray
ran as the Republican candidate for Governor of Iowa in
1958 and again in 1966.
He was also engaged in Indian land appraisal in
sixteen states for the United States Department of
Justice. In addition, Murray served as research director
(1955-1956) for the Iowa Taxations Study Committee, a
member (1970-1976) of the Iowa Natural Resources
Council, a member and Chairman (1975-1981) of the Iowa
State Board of Tax Review, as chairman (1969-1970) of
the Governor’s Committee for United Nations Day, and
as president (1948) of the American Agricultural
Economics Association.
In 1967, he helped organize the Living History
Farms Foundation; he served as the groups research
director (1967-1974), president (1974-1981), and
chairman (1981-1988).
Dr.
Murray received an international award for distinguished
service to agriculture (1957) from Gamma Sigma Delta,
honor society of agriculture.
In addition, the Iowa State University Alumni
Association awarded him with a Faculty Citation (1965)
and he was named Professor of the Year by the Government
of the Student Body (1974).
Dr.
Murray married Mildred Furniss in July 1928; the couple
had three children: David, Jean, and John.
Mildred passed away in 1974 and he married Alice
Van Wert of Hampton, Iowa in 1975. His daughter, Jean,
married Tom Sutherland (both members of Iowa State’s
class of 1956), the Colorado State University professor
and dean of faculty of agriculture and food science at
the American University of Beirut who was held hostage
in Lebanon (1985-1991).
Dr.
Murray died of cancer in 1991 at the age of 88.
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Collection
Description
|
The
collection contains the papers of Dr. William G. Murray.
The documents consist of materials relating to
Living History Farms, including original deeds, planning
statements, brochures, correspondence, articles and
clippings, evaluations, employee policies, admission data,
exhibit construction, and program development. The program
materials contain information on the Flynn Mansion, the
1900 Farm, the Farm of Today and Tomorrow, the Henry A.
Wallace Crop Center, NEH grants, and Church of the Land.
Also included in this collection is correspondence with
the Wallace and Garst families of Iowa, and extensive
material concerning the Pope's visit to Living History
Farms in 1979. The remainder of the collection contains
information on Murray’s campaign for Governor, and
materials from Iowa State University.
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Organization
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This
collection has been arranged into six series:
Living
History Farms, 1965-1989
Campaign
for Governor, 1957-1967
Land
Appraisal, ca. 1850s-1990, n.d.
Indian
Claims Commission, 1948-1978
Iowa
State University and Community Activities, 1929-1980
Wallace
Family, 1934-1989
Each
series is arranged chronologically, and then
alphabetically, except for the first series, which is
arranged alphabetically.
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Description of series
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Series
1
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Living
History Farms
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1965-1989
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extent:
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17.10
linear feet (6 records center cartons, 3 document boxes,
2 half-document box, 1 shoebox, 2 oversized box, and two
map case folders) 3.39 linear feet
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|
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Description:
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Series
includes planning statements, brochures, correspondence
with supporters, correspondence with other museums, news
articles and clippings about Living History Farms,
evaluations of the museum, employee policies, admissions
data, fliers, posters, and event programs.
The series also contains, photocopies of
documents on planning, construction and implementation
of new exhibits and programs including the Flynn
Mansion, the 1900 Farm, the Farm of Today and Tomorrow,
the Henry A. Wallace Crop Center, and Church of the
Land, collected by Dr. Murray.
In addition, the series includes correspondence
with the Wallace and Garst families and extensive
material on Pope John Paul II’s visit to Living
History Farms in 1979.
Some correspondence is not original, but
photocopied.
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Container
list
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Box
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Folder
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Title
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Dates
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Map
Case |
D08
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Fliers
for Fourth of July and Wood Workers’ Convention
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n.d.
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Map
Case |
D08
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Papal
Visit and Church of the Land: Oversized News Clippings
|
1979
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Artifact
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2004-R014
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Ribbon:
Living History Farms Volunteer
|
n.d.
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Artifact
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2004-R013
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Ribbon:
Ribbon: Living History Farms Parade Participant
|
1991
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Map
Case |
C
409 |
Church
of the Land Blueprints |
1979-1980
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|
1
|
1
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“300
Year Walk Through History”: correspondence of W.G.
Murray, notes, and lists
|
1987,
n.d. |
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1
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2
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1870
Town Planning Committee: correspondence of W.G. Murray
and other members, guidelines, press releases, and
photocopies of special reports
|
1977-1979
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1
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3
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1900
Dinners: Murray’s notes, correspondence, and news
clippings |
1985-1986
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1
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4
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1900
Veterinary Office at LHF: correspondence of W.G. Murray,
brochure, and informational materials
|
1986-1987
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|
1
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5
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Abstracts
for presentations given by W.G. Murray and Alice Murray
|
n.d.
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|
1
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6
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Agricultural
Education and Information Center: correspondence of W.G.
Murray, notes, and agreements (photocopies)
|
1977-1978
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|
1
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7
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Agricultural
Education and Information Center: correspondence of W.G.
Murray, notes, and agreements (photocopies)
|
1979-1981
|
|
1
|
8
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Article
Reprint: “The Martin Flynn Farm: From Public Land in
1845 to Living History Farms in 1970,” written by W.G.
Murray (original) |
1970
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1
|
9
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Association
of Living Historical Farms and Agricultural Museums,
Annual Meeting: correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1981
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1
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10
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Association
of Living Historical Farms and Agricultural Museums,
Annual Meeting: correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1985
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1
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11
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Association
of Living Historical Farms and Agricultural Museums,
Annual Meeting: correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1987
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1
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12
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Bayard
Hotel: News clippings and Murray’s notes
|
1985
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1
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13
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Book:
“Photographic Van Album,” by John and Sue Coffer,
with a written message to W.G. Murray on inside cover
|
1983
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1
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14
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Booklets
on Living Historical Farms |
1968,
1972 |
|
1
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15
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Church
of the Land: Anniversary service and laying of the
cornerstone: meeting minutes, correspondence of W.G.
Murray, press releases |
1980
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1
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16
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Church
of the Land: copy of church rules and regulations
|
1985
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1
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17
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Church
of the Land: correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1978-1984,
n.d. |
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1
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18
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Church
of the Land: correspondence photocopied for or carbon
copied to W.G. Murray |
1980-1984,
n.d. |
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1
|
19
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Church
of the Land: correspondence with William Wagner,
architect (photocopies and letters carbon copied to W.G.
Murray) |
1980-1981
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|
1
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20
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Church
of the Land: dedication ceremony: press releases,
correspondence, and opening remarks by Governor Ray
|
1981
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1
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21
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Church
of the Land: dedication speech by W.G. Murray (typed
copy) |
1981
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1
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22
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Church
of the Land Fundraising Materials: donation envelope,
postcard, badges, mailings, and contributions forms
|
n.d.
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|
1
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23
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Church
of the Land Groundbreaking Ceremony: program format,
photocopies notes of Herb Plambeck, press releases
|
1980
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1
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24
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Church
of the Land Open House and Dedication of the Bell: press
release, notes, and correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1982
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|
1
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25
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Church
of the Land: photocopies of drafts of a fundraising
brochure, “Friends of the Church of the Land”
|
n.d.
|
|
1
|
26
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Church
of the Land: photocopies of drawings and 2 B&W 8x10
photographs |
n.d.
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1
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27
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Church
of the Land: photocopy of interpretive guidelines and
fact sheet |
n.d.
|
|
1
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28
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Church
of the Land: photograph of Beneke Wedding (1 3x8 color
photograph) |
1986
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|
1
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29
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Church
of the Land: programs from services and ceremonies
|
1980-1986
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|
1
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30
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Church
of the Land: press releases (photocopies)
|
1979-1983,
n.d. |
|
1
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31
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Church
of the Land: notes of W.G. Murray
|
1980-1981,
n.d. |
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1
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32
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Cemetery
Project: news clippings, correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1981-1987,
n.d. |
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1
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33
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Corn
Elevator and Drying Room: photocopy of Pioneer report,
correspondence of W.G. Murray, news clippings, and 8
color slides |
1979
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1
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34
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Corn
Harvest Festival: W.G. Murray’s notes and
correspondence, fliers, and news clippings
|
1970-1975
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1
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35
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Corn
Harvest Festival: W.G. Murray’s notes and
correspondence, fliers, and news clippings
|
1976-1981
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1
|
36
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Corn
Harvest Festival: W.G. Murray’s notes and
correspondence, fliers, and news clippings
|
1982-1989
|
|
1
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37
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: 1900 Farm House
|
1970-1980
|
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1
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38
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: American Association for State and Local
History |
1970-1987
|
|
1
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39
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Bergson, Rollo
|
1967-1971
|
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1
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40
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Bergson, Rollo
|
1972-1973
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1
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41
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Bergson, Rollo
|
1974-1978,
n.d. |
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1
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42
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Colonial Williamsburg
|
1967-1971
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1
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43
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Dallas County Historical Society
|
1968-1972
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1
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44
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Daughters of the American Revolution
|
1970-1972
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1
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45
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Farm of the Future
|
1973-1980
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1
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46
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Farm Swine Committee
|
1976
|
|
1
|
47
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Flynn Mansion
|
1970-1973,
n.d. |
|
1
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48
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Hiring Notice for Executive Director
|
1980
|
|
1
|
49
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Independent Evaluations of Living
History Farms |
1967-1970
|
|
1
|
50
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Independent Evaluations of Living
History Farms |
1971-1976
|
|
1
|
51
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Independent Evaluations of Living
History Farms |
1988
|
|
1
|
52
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
|
1976-1980
|
|
1
|
53
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Iowa Welcome Center Applications
|
1987
|
|
1
|
54
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Iowa Humanities Board
|
1980-1984
|
|
1
|
55
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Iowa Local Historical and Museum
Association |
1967-1973
|
|
1
|
56
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Junior League of Des Moines
|
1970-1973
|
|
1
|
57
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Kautz, Lynford E. (Smithsonian
consultant) |
1973-1976
|
|
1
|
58
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Kirkindall, Richard S. (Professor of
History at Iowa State University)
|
1980-1988
|
|
2
|
1
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Letters from teachers and students
requesting information on Living History Farms
|
1979-1988,
n.d. |
|
2
|
2
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Living History Farms on the National
Register of Historic Places |
1972-1973
|
|
2
|
3
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Mendell, Frank (includes letters carbon
copied to Murray) |
1967-1974
|
|
2
|
4
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: School tours at Living History Farms
|
1971-1984
|
|
2
|
5
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Thank you letters for tours or events at
Living History Farms (folder 1 of 2)
|
1969-1983
|
|
2
|
6
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Thank you letters for tours for events
at Living History Farms (folder 2 of 2)
|
1984-1989,
n.d. |
|
2
|
7
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Thank you notes and information to W.G.
Murray for talks given to civil, social, and educational
groups (folder 1 of 2) |
1967-1971
|
|
2
|
8
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Thank you notes and information to W.G.
Murray for talks given to civil, social, and educational
groups (folder 2 of 2)
|
1972-1987,
n.d. |
|
2
|
9
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Thede, Darwin (photocopies, including a
copy of Thede’s LHF work records sent to Murray)
|
1969-1982
|
|
2
|
10
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Threshing |
1969-1974,
n.d. |
|
2
|
11
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: Volunteering at LHF (both letters to
general volunteers and specifically to Murray)
|
1975-1989
|
|
2
|
12
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Correspondence
of W.G. Murray: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
|
1961-1981
|
|
2
|
13
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray and News clippings: flag pole donated by
Urbandale Lions Club |
1971-1972
|
|
2
|
14
|
Correspondence
of W.G. Murray and News clippings: Visit by 25 German
New Reporters to Living History Farms
|
1971
|
|
2
|
15
|
Correspondence:
Photocopies of letters to E. Howard Hill, carbon copied
to W.H. Murray |
1971
|
|
2
|
16
|
Craft
Festival: news clippings, fliers, programs, invitations,
and correspondence of W.G. Murray
|
1971-1975
|
|
2
|
17
|
Doctor’s
Office at Walnut Hill: correspondence of W.G. Murray,
news clipping, and brochure |
1979-1980
|
|
2
|
18
|
Educational
Program: Problem solving with students from Welch Junior
High (original correspondence and student responses)
|
1983
|
|
2
|
19
|
Energy
Conservation Subcommittee: correspondence with W.G.
Murray |
1977
|
|
2
|
20
|
Farm
of Today and Tomorrow Planning Committee: photocopies of
correspondence, engineering reports, soil report, and
meeting minutes on waste management
|
1975-1977,
n.d. |
|
2
|
21
|
Films
produced at Living History Farms, “Seeds of
Survival” and “We are the Soil”: original
brochures, correspondence with and carbon copied to W.G.
Murray, press releases, showing schedule, and film
outline |
1970-1979,
n.d. |
|
2
|
22
|
Flynn
Mansion: Biographical Information on Flynn Family
(photocopies) |
1967,
1971 |
|
2
|
23
|
Flynn
Mansion: etchings and photographs (2 B&W 8x10, and 4
B&W 5x7 photos) |
1971,
n.d. |
|
2
|
24
|
Flynn
Mansion Interpreter’s Handbook (photocopy)
|
n.d.
|
|
2
|
25
|
Flynn
Mansion: Report,” Architectural Analysis and
Description of the Flynn Mansion,” Architecture 460,
Iowa State University (photocopy of assignment)
|
1971
|
|
2
|
26
|
Flynn
Mansion: Reports by Patrice Kay Beam, belonging to W.G.
Murray |
1978-1979
|
|
2
|
27
|
| |
