Doris Whithorn Research Files, 1963-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Whithorn, Doris
Title
Doris Whithorn Research Files
Dates
1963-1983
Quantity
.2 linear feet
Collection Number
Collection 359, MtBC, us (collection)
Summary
The Doris Whithorn Research Files consist of original compositions and collected materials which formed the basis for some of her publications. Included are: a copy photograph of an original town plat map of Yellowstone City, Montana Territory, along with a letter describing the composition of the same; a lengthy history of Emigrant Gulch, illustrated with original and copy photographs, written by Doris Whithorn in 1963; a history of Chestnut, Montana written by Andrew Walker and sent to Whithorn sometime in the 1960s; a 1977 carbon typescript of a speech given by Doris Whithorn titled "Park County Women; photocopies of two self guided history tour itineraries from Emigrant to Bozeman and Livingston along the Trail Creek Road", composed in 1981 and 1983.
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

All of Doris and Bill Whithorn's compositions are protected by copyright. Researchers are advised that permission for any publication beyond "fair use" guidelines must be granted by the donor, her heirs or assigns.

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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Doris Swenson Whithorn was born in Davenport, Nebraska on December 18, 1916. Whithorn attended the University of Nebraska and taught school in her early life. After marrying William "Bill" Whithorn, Doris moved to Billings, Montana where the couple started a family. In 1948, the Whithorn's purchased a tourist court in Emigrant, a location in Montana's Paradise Valley just north of Yellowstone National Park in Park County. They operated the "WAN-I-GAN" business for twenty-eight years, during which time they took an interest in local history. Bill was an amateur photographer and used his skills to copy historic photographs other residents would periodically loan. Together they began publishing small picture books offered for sale at their business, usually devoted to the colorful history of the area. In 1976, the Whithorns took part in establishing the Park County Museum in Livingston, and Doris became its curator for fourteen years. During her career, Doris wrote twenty-one books and booklets, many with her husband, and numerous magazine articles which feature the copy photographs and original images the Whithorns had created or collected.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Whithorn files consist of original compositions and collected materials which formed the basis for some of her publications. Included are: a copy photograph of an original town plat map of Yellowstone City, Montana Territory, along with a letter describing the composition of the same; a lengthy history of Emigrant Gulch, illustrated with original and copy photographs, written by Doris Whithorn in 1963 while enrolled in a Montana State University history class; a history of Chestnut, Montana written by Andrew Walker and sent to Whithorn sometime in the 1960s; a 1977 carbon typescript of a speech given by Doris Whithorn titled "Park County Women; photocopies of two self-guided history tour itineraries from Emigrant to Bozeman and Livingston along the Trail Creek Road, composed in 1981 and 1983.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

All of Doris and Bill Whithorn's compositions are protected by copyright. Researchers are advised that permission for any publication beyond "fair use" guidelines must be granted by the donor, her heirs or assigns.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Research papers, photographs, and other materials pertaining to the history of Park County, Montana created or collected by Doris Whithorn were donated to Montana State University in a series of deposits beginning in 1965 and ending in 1983. This collection incorporates collection numbers 856, 1054, 1197, and 1380.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2010 June 2

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Box/Folder
1/1 Yellowstone City map and letter
1/2 Emigrant Gulch, pp. 1-20
1/3 Emigrant Gulch, pp. 21-40
1/4 Emigrant Gulch, pp. 41-56
1/5 Emigrant Gulch, photographs and captions
1/6 History of Chestnut
1/7 Park County Women
1/8 Trail Creek History Tour

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Women-Montana-Park County-History

Geographical Names

  • Bozeman (Mont.)
  • Chestnut (Mont.)-History
  • Emigrant (Mont.)
  • Emigrant Gulch (Mont.)-History
  • Livingston (Mont.)
  • Trail Creek Road (Mont.)-Description and travel
  • Yellowstone City (Mont.)-Maps

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Walker, Andrew, 1891-1969 (creator)
    • Whithorn, Bill (creator)
    • Whithorn, Doris-Park County women (creator)