Institute for Regional Studies, 2005 - 2011
Collection
Identifier: UA 0046
Scope and Contents
This collection contains book proofs, correspondence, and other materials related to the publishing of monographs. The materials are arranged in the order they were received and folder titles retained.
Dates
- 2005 - 2011
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.
Biographical / Historical
After arriving on campus in 1949, G. Ernst Giesecke, Dean of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences at North Dakota Agricultural College, began developing the idea for the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies. Giesecke envisioned that such an organization would enable the faculty to do original research focusing on the Upper Great Plains and, in the process, better themselves as teachers. Once the idea received the support a few faculty members, a rough outline of the plan was presented to the President of North Dakota Agricultural College, Fred Hultz, who told them to continue with their plans. After further planning and being approved by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education in March 1950, the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies was formally founded later that year. The founders were: Giesecke, O. A. Stevens, H. Dean Stallings, William C. Hunter, E. A. Helgeson, Rudolf Otterson and Kenneth Kuhn. The founders developed four basic principles to serve as guides for the direction of the Institute: First, to stimulate research into the region's resources and culture; second, to provide a center for research; third, to encourage artistic expression of life on the plains; and fourth to assist in disseminating results of significant work.
In order to assist in the dissemination of significant work, the Institute started its own publishing program. The first book was The Handbook of North Dakota Plants written by Professor O.A. Stevens and published in 1950. Dr. Leo Hertel, Professor of Modern Languages, served as the Institute's editor for many years and was succeeded by Dr. Bill Reid, Professor of History, in the 1970s. Originally the publishing program was under the direction of the Institute staff, but over the years the Dean Office's of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences assumed more responsibility and now has assumed full control over the publishing program. The Institute provided a center for research through the creation of its archives. The Institute received its first donation of historical documents in 1950 and shortly after Dr. Hunter received release time from teaching to manage the archives. Dr. Leonard Sackett, Professor of English and Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Historical Documents, became responsible for acquiring further records. The Institute began to collect bonanza farm records in 1953 and Dr. Sackett collected many business records as well as photographs relating to the bonanza farm era. The Institute's effort in collecting bonanza farm records led to a good librarianship award from the Mountain Plains Library Association. The Institute has remained focused on collecting all aspects of the state's past, but has been especially successful in collecting records focused on agriculture, literary figures, the pioneer era, women, and social history resources. With the continued expansion of the archives and the retirement of Dr. Hunter, Dr. Reid was appointed University and Institute archivist in 1971 while maintaining his teaching duties. In 1975, John E. Bye was appointed the first full time archivist marking a significant change in the operation of the Institute archives. Also at this time the NDSU Library assumed complete responsibility for the Institute archive function. The Institute founder's also attempted to stimulate interest in the region through a variety of activities. One of the first attempts was a train that traveled throughout the state bringing the history and the ideas behind the Institute to the people. After using the train, they held art shows to display the talents of North Dakota artists, one of the first being Elmer Halvorsen in 1952. Einar Olstad followed Halvorsen two years later. Olstad's paintings focused on the everyday life of a rancher. The Institute also held Local History Day, which was an attempt to teach people how to preserve documents and an attempt to aid people in the writing of local history. The Institute, with the aid of a monetary gift, created the Young Memorial Scholarship that was rewarded to students who researched and wrote exceptional papers on regional interests and topics. In 1995 the Institute created a website, the first of any North Dakota archives, and revamped it in 1998. Also, the entire Institute's archival and many of its photograph collections are part of a national catalog database.
The aggressive collecting campaign began by the founders, to obtain personal and business records, books, and other materials relating to North Dakota, has been continued with great success. Presently the Institute has had over 3,000 donations of records and other material. The collection break down to the following broad subject categories: Agriculture, Bonanza Farms and Land Development; Architecture and Historic Preservation; Business; Cass County, N.D.; City of Fargo, N.D.; Education; Fargo, N.D.; Lawrence Welk; Legal; Literary, Music and Theater; Local and Ethnic History; Medicine and Health Care; Military; Natural History; Personal and Family Papers; Pioneer Life; Politics and Government; Religion; Social Issues; Sports and Recreation; Women and Women's Organizations. Along with the manuscript collection, the Institute houses an impressive collection of photographs dealing with North Dakota. The collection contains over 150,000 prints and negatives covering such topics as North Dakota towns and the bonanza era.
In order to assist in the dissemination of significant work, the Institute started its own publishing program. The first book was The Handbook of North Dakota Plants written by Professor O.A. Stevens and published in 1950. Dr. Leo Hertel, Professor of Modern Languages, served as the Institute's editor for many years and was succeeded by Dr. Bill Reid, Professor of History, in the 1970s. Originally the publishing program was under the direction of the Institute staff, but over the years the Dean Office's of the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences assumed more responsibility and now has assumed full control over the publishing program. The Institute provided a center for research through the creation of its archives. The Institute received its first donation of historical documents in 1950 and shortly after Dr. Hunter received release time from teaching to manage the archives. Dr. Leonard Sackett, Professor of English and Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Historical Documents, became responsible for acquiring further records. The Institute began to collect bonanza farm records in 1953 and Dr. Sackett collected many business records as well as photographs relating to the bonanza farm era. The Institute's effort in collecting bonanza farm records led to a good librarianship award from the Mountain Plains Library Association. The Institute has remained focused on collecting all aspects of the state's past, but has been especially successful in collecting records focused on agriculture, literary figures, the pioneer era, women, and social history resources. With the continued expansion of the archives and the retirement of Dr. Hunter, Dr. Reid was appointed University and Institute archivist in 1971 while maintaining his teaching duties. In 1975, John E. Bye was appointed the first full time archivist marking a significant change in the operation of the Institute archives. Also at this time the NDSU Library assumed complete responsibility for the Institute archive function. The Institute founder's also attempted to stimulate interest in the region through a variety of activities. One of the first attempts was a train that traveled throughout the state bringing the history and the ideas behind the Institute to the people. After using the train, they held art shows to display the talents of North Dakota artists, one of the first being Elmer Halvorsen in 1952. Einar Olstad followed Halvorsen two years later. Olstad's paintings focused on the everyday life of a rancher. The Institute also held Local History Day, which was an attempt to teach people how to preserve documents and an attempt to aid people in the writing of local history. The Institute, with the aid of a monetary gift, created the Young Memorial Scholarship that was rewarded to students who researched and wrote exceptional papers on regional interests and topics. In 1995 the Institute created a website, the first of any North Dakota archives, and revamped it in 1998. Also, the entire Institute's archival and many of its photograph collections are part of a national catalog database.
The aggressive collecting campaign began by the founders, to obtain personal and business records, books, and other materials relating to North Dakota, has been continued with great success. Presently the Institute has had over 3,000 donations of records and other material. The collection break down to the following broad subject categories: Agriculture, Bonanza Farms and Land Development; Architecture and Historic Preservation; Business; Cass County, N.D.; City of Fargo, N.D.; Education; Fargo, N.D.; Lawrence Welk; Legal; Literary, Music and Theater; Local and Ethnic History; Medicine and Health Care; Military; Natural History; Personal and Family Papers; Pioneer Life; Politics and Government; Religion; Social Issues; Sports and Recreation; Women and Women's Organizations. Along with the manuscript collection, the Institute houses an impressive collection of photographs dealing with North Dakota. The collection contains over 150,000 prints and negatives covering such topics as North Dakota towns and the bonanza era.
Extent
.75 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Overview
This collection contains book proofs, correspondence, and other materials related to the publishing of monographs. The materials are arranged in the order they were received and folder titles retained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Transferred by Ross Collins (2013-025ua) for the Institute of Regional Studies.
Legal Status
The North Dakota State University Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Institute for Regional Studies Records
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University Archives Repository
Contact:
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building
3551 7th Avenue N
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu