Harry B. Mitchell papers, 1953-1965

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Mitchell, Harry B. (Harry Browning), 1933-
Title
Harry B. Mitchell papers
Dates
1953-1965 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.6 linear feet
Collection Number
2441
Summary
The Harry B. Mitchell Papers consist of correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, newspaper articles, government documents, working papers, legislative lists, a photo story, a slide presentation and slide, various bill drafts, broadsides, state reports, congratulatory letter, and recommendations. The materials pertain to Mitchell service as co-chair of the Jaycees Legislative Committee in 1962, service chairing the Conservation Committee of the Jaycees, and his 1963 American Motors Non-Professional Conservation Award.
Repository
Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Languages
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Harry B. Mitchell was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) from Great Falls, Montana. In the fall of 1962, he became the co-chairman of the Legislative Committee for the Montana State Jaycees. He spent the next 2 years promoting the protection of the natural waterways of Montana, especially fishing habitat, from damage by road construction and hydraulic activities. The Jaycees created a Conservation Committee in 1963 and Mitchell served as its chair. He was honored for his work with a 1963 American Motors Company Non-professional Conservation Award.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Mitchell papers have been divided into three series. Series one contains materials created or collected by Mitchell while serving as co-chair of the Jaycees Legislative Committee in 1962. Mitchell's work on the committee related to the development of Substitute Senate Bill 45, passed on March 11, 1963, a state bill protecting fishing waters from highway construction. Papers include correspondence, brochures, pamphlets, newspaper articles, government documents, working papers, legislative lists, a photo story showing results of stream bed alterations, a slide presentation and slides promoting the bill, draft bills and the final version of the bill. Series two contains materials created or collected by Mitchell while serving as the chair of the Conservation Committee of the Jaycees. These papers relate to the committee's efforts to introduce a similar Federal bill to protect fishing waters. Papers include correspondence, newspaper articles, broadsides, state reports and official interdepartmental correspondence between Federal departments involved. These papers relate to the Jaycees continuing advocacy of the Stream Preservation Act of 1963 (SSB #45), Clean Water campaign, and the controversies over Federal construction plans for Interstate Highway I-15 along the Missouri River near Wolf Point, Montana. Series three contains the program, congratulatory letters, recommendations, newspaper clippings, and correspondence related to the awarding of a 1963 American Motors Non-Professional Conservation Award to Harry B. Mitchell.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Series 1 Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, 1953-1963

Series 2 Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce Conservation Committee, 1963-1964

Series 3 American Motors Conservation Award, 1963

Acquisition Information

The Harry B. Mitchell papers were donated to Special Collections on April 29, 2002 by Tom Palmer of the Information Department of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2009 May 21

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, 1953-1963Return to Top

Papers created or collected by Harry Mitchell in his work as co-chair of the Jaycees Legislative Committee, especially pertaining to the campaign for Senate Substitute Bill #45. Materials that predate Mitchell's term on the committee represent research on the issue that he gathered.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Originals or photocopies of correspondence
1962 April 2 - 1963 April 8
1 2
Newspaper clippings, transcripts of radio broadcasts and editorials
1 3
Plans and time-line of campaign
1 4
Slide show outline and slides
1 5
Perry Nelson photo book
1 6
Pamphlets, reports, journal articles
1 7
Water court and legislative papers: hearings, directories, roll call, draft bills, vote summary, and final bill

Series 2:  Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce Conservation Committee, 1963-1964Return to Top

Papers created or collected by Mitchell as chair of the Jaycees Conservation Committee, especially in advocating federal legislation to protect fishing waters during the construction of interstate highways.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 8
Originals or photocopies of correspondence
1963 June 7 - 1963 December 19
1 9
Originals or photocopies of correspondence
1964 January 23, - 1964 May 27
1 10
Conservation Committee stream preservation papers
1 11
Papers and correspondence: campaign for Federal legislation
1 12
Additional Jaycee Conservation Committee project papers
1963-1964
2 1
I-15 on Missouri River road controversy
2 2
I-15 on Missouri River road controversy (cont.)
2 3
"Report on Supplemental Location Study in Gary Cooper Ranch Vicinity," State of Montana Highway Department
1964 February 17

Series 3:  American Motors Conservation Award, 1963Return to Top

Papers, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia for the 1963 American Motors conservation Award.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 4
American Motors Conservation Award binder

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Conservationists--Montana
  • Fishes--Conservation--Montana
  • Roads--Design and construction--Environmental aspects--Montana
  • Stream conservation--Montana
  • Water quality-Montana

Corporate Names

  • American Motors Corporation
  • Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce-Conservation Committee
  • Montana Junior Chamber of Commerce-Legislative Committee

Geographical Names

  • Montana
  • Montana--Environmental Conditions
  • Montana--Politics and government
  • Montana--Politics and government--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs
  • Photographs