REGISTER OF THE RUSSELL E. DICKENSON PAPERS Russell Errett Dickenson,

Transcription

1 REGISTER OF THE RUSSELL E. DICKENSON PAPERS Russell Errett Dickenson, Mss 85, 26 boxes (9 cubic feet), 16 photographs, 13 oversize photographs, 1 slide, and 1 oversize folder

2 REGISTER OF THE RUSSELL E. DICKENSON PAPERS, Russell Errett Dickenson, Papers, ; bulk Mss 85, 26 boxes (9 cubic feet), 16 photographs, 13 oversize photographs, 1 slide, and 1 oversize folder INTRODUCTION This collection consists of the personal papers of Russell E. Dickenson which documents his long career as an employee of the National Park Service, especially his tenure as the Director of the National Park Service from May 1980 to March 1985, as well as his career after he retired from the Service. Russell E. Dickenson donated his papers to Clemson University in October There are no restrictions on the use of this collection beyond those of Special Collections. The collection was originally processed and the first register prepared by Berniece Holt in Processing of additional materials and an updated register was done by Laurie Varenhorst in The collection consists of the accessions and BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Russell Errett Dickenson was born on April 12, 1923 to John Errett and Lexie Davis Dickenson in Melissa, Texas. He attended North Texas State College ( ), Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (1944) and Arizona State College [Northern Arizona University] (1943, ) where he received a bachelor's degree in economics and commerce from Arizona State College in From 1942 to 1946 he served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain. Dickenson began his career with the National Park Service as a park ranger at the Grand Canyon National Park in During the next twenty years, Dickenson moved up through the ranks of the National Park Service: Chief Ranger, Platt National Park, ; Superintendent, Chiricahua National Monument, 1955; Chief Ranger, Big Bend National Park, ; Assistant Chief Ranger, Glacier National Park, 1957; Chief Ranger, Grand Teton National Park, ; Assistant Superintendent, Zion National Park, ; and Superintendent, Flaming Gorge National Park, In 1966 he became the Regional Chief of the Division of Resources Management and Visitor Protection in the Midwest Region Office in Omaha, Nebraska. Dickenson was transferred to the National Park Service's Washington Office to serve as the Chief of New Area Studies and Master Planning in From 1968 to 1969 he served as the Associate Regional Director of the National Capital Parks Region, Washington, D.C., and was promoted to a newly created position, General Superintendent, of that region in September Dickenson became the Regional Director of the National Capital Parks Region in In 1973 he became the Deputy Director of the National Park Service, and in 1975 he moved to Seattle, Washington, to serve as the Regional Director of the Pacific Northwest Region. On May 15, 1980 Dickenson was appointed the eleventh Director of the National Park Service, 1

3 becoming the first director to have worked his way up from park ranger to head the organization. He retired from the National Park Service on March 3, After his retirement from the National Park Service, Dickenson worked as an affiliated professor in the College of Forestry Resources at the University of Washington from 1986 to He was president of the Washington National Parks Fund from 1985 to Dickenson also coauthored a book with Horace Albright titled National Park Service: The Story Behind the Scenery which was published in In addition, he served on the National Park Advisory Board ( ), and was a member of numerous board of directors, including the North Cascade Institute ( ), the Student Conservation Association ( ), Tourmobile, Inc. ( ), the Eastern National Parks and Monument Association ( ), and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission ( ). Dickenson received several awards for his long, distinguished career with the National Park Service and the conservation movement. Some of the awards include: the U.S. Department of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award, 1971; The Cornelius Amory Pugsley Gold Medal Award, the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, 1974; The Meritorious Service Medal, The Sons of the American Revolution, 1981; the National Society for Park Resources Award for Excellence, 1981; and The George Washington Medal, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, Northern Arizona University awarded Dickenson the honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1982, four years after giving him its Distinguished Alumni Award. Dickenson became the first American to receive the Golden Flower of Rheydt Award from Germany in 1983 for his contributions made in preserving the environment on a national and international level. Russell E. Dickenson married Maxine in They had two children: Vivian Lee and Russell Steven. He died on February 19, 2008 in Bellevue, Washington. SCOPE AND CONTENT The Russell E. Dickenson Papers contains agendas, appointment books, articles, brochures, charts, clippings, correspondence, directories, government documents, handbooks, job descriptions, legal documents, memoranda, minutes, newsletters, pamphlets, press releases, publications, reports, resolutions, resumes, speeches, and statements. Also included in the collection are photographs, and oversize materials. Materials in this collection cover the period 1923 to The bulk of the materials dates from 1970 to 1989 and documents Russell Dickenson's long career with the National Park Service. The Dickenson Papers are divided into six series representing different phases of his career: Pre- 1968, National Capital Region and National Capital Parks, Deputy Director to the Director of the National Park Service, Regional Director of the Pacific Northwest Region, Director of the National Park Service, and Post-National Park Service. The series are arranged alphabetically by folder title, and chronologically within each folder. This collection emphasizes Dickenson's tenure as Deputy Director to the Director of the National Park Service, the Regional Director of the Pacific Northwest Region, and Director of the National Park Service. Also included are materials relating to his three different positions associated with the National Capital Region and National Capital 2

4 Parks. Materials pertaining to his Service career before 1968 and his post-national Park Service work as a member of the National Park System Advisory Board can be found here as well. Correspondence filed in the collection include a wide spectrum of colleagues and associates who wrote warm, personal notes expressing appreciation for guiding the National Park Service through difficult and exciting times and for restoring morale of park employees. Copies of personal correspondence indicate Dickenson may have kept the originals. A small amount of personal and poignant correspondence between himself and Horace M. Albright, the second Director of the National Park Service, can be found in the collection. Issues addressed during Dickenson's tenure as Director of the National Park Service include land condemnation and the National Inholders Association; politicizing personnel actions; Alaska legislation and conservation; Ellis Island and Statute of Liberty plans; procedures for realignment; transfer of WASO (Washington Support Office) and Regional positions and funds to field units; James G. Watt, U.S. Secretary of the Interior; trail biking; Oxon Cove landfill; DDT; Marine Corps use of park land; and Colorado River Management Plan. Within each of the series is a description of Dickenson's responsibilities and accomplishments as well as specific items in the series. Correspondents include Horace M. Albright; Cecil D. Andrus; Rosalynn Carter; William P. Clark, Jr.; Greer Garson (Fogelson); U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater; Donald Hodel; Lady Bird Johnson; Melvin R. Laird; Frank Masland; and James G. Watt. This collection is indexed under the following terms in the University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings. Subjects: Conservation of natural resources Conservation of natural resources United States Dickenson, Russell E. Historic sites Conservation and restoration Historic sites Conservation and restoration United States National parks and reserves United States National parks and reserves United States Management National parks and reserves United States Planning United States. National Park Service United States. National Park Service Officials and employees United States. National Park System Advisory Board Correspondents: Albright, Horace M. (Horace Marden), Andrus, Cecil D., Carter, Rosalynn Clark, William Patrick,

5 Garson, Greer, Goldwater, Barry M. (Barry Morris), Hodel, Donald Paul, Johnson, Lady Bird, Laird, Melvin R. Masland, Frank Watt, James G.,

6 Separation List alphotographs Dickenson, Russell E Executive Seminar Center, Participants in the Administration of Public Policy Course, Berkeley, California with U.S. Congressman Ralph Regula (Ohio, 16th District) and Others on Bike Path to Mt. Vernon Receiving his charter membership in the Senior Executive Service from Scotty Campbell Donald Hodel and Others with NTBA s Tour All America Print Receiving the Honorary Doctor of Science degree at Northern Arizona University At Redwood National Park, California [n.d.] 8 Betts, Frank, and Family Gallison, Glenn Gerstner, Louis V., Jr. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, American Express Travel Related Services co., Inc Murphy, Bob and Alice n Robinson, James D., III. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, American Express Company (Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Foundation Statue of Liberty [n.d.] Slide Negatives 15 Oversize Photographs 14 Alright, Horace M., and Russell E. Dickenson. National Park System Advisory Board Visits National Capital Parks Six 11" x 14" black-and-white photos of U.S. Secretary of the Interior Rogers C.B. Morton, Office of Management and Business Associate Director Frank G. Zarb, National Capital Parks- National Park Service Director Jack Fish, Deputy Director of the National Park Service Russell E. Dickenson inspecting damage caused by Hurricane Agnes

7 Separation List Oversize Photographs (cont.) Oversize Map 2 Two 11" x 14" black-and-white photos of Ralph Regula, U.S. Congressman from Ohio, 16th District, Russell E. Dickenson, and other men riding bicycles on the bike path to Mt. Vernon One 11" x 14" black-and-white photo of Russell E. Dickenson on a moped [n.d.] Two 11" x 14" black-and-white photos of Russell E. Dickenson speaking before group of bike riders in a park [n.d.] 4 One 11" x 14" black-and-white photo of "A Lift Lock" [n.d.] 1 1 One 18" x 23 3/8" map of Alaska which was inscribed by President Jimmy Carter in commemoration of the signing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act December 2,

8 Series 1, Pre-1968 ( ).24 cubic feet consisting of 14 folders. This series contains early biographical data, personnel actions and performance ratings, correspondence, memorabilia, and miscellaneous publications including "Administration as Politics" reproduced from the 4 th edition of Politics, Parties, and Pressure Groups. 1 1 About / Biographical 1955, 1957, 1965, 1967, Applications, Personnel Action, Performance Ratings, Promotions Appointment Book January-December 1965; January Awards, Certificates, Memberships 1952, Briefing Book Correspondence and Memoranda (Dickenson's) Publications 7 "Administration as Politics" from the 4 th edition of Politics, Parties, and Pressure Groups "Boss" Pinkley's Ruminations [1930s] 9 The Congress and America's Future, edited by David B. Truman Newspaper Clippings Reports 11 The Road to the Future: Long Range Objectives, Goals and Objectives 1964 Seminars 12 Executive Seminar Center Course, "Administration of Public Policy," September 12-23, Management Development Seminar February 20-24, 1961 Speeches 14 Hartzog, George B. (National Park Service Director)

9 Series 2, National Capital Region and National Capital Parks ( ).59 cubic feet consisting of 28 folders. During the period Dickenson was the Associate and Acting Regional Director of the National Capital Region, Washington, D.C. On December 7, 1969 he was appointed to a newly created position, General Superintendent of the Office of the National Parks. From June 1971 July 1973 he served as the Regional Director of the National Capital Region. Dickenson managed programs concerned with interpretation, development, protection, maintenance and environmental quality. His position required professional work in engineering, architecture and landscape architecture and the natural sciences. Liaison with Congress, elected officials and a variety of interest groups was an important aspect of his positions in the most significant and unique metropolitan park system in the nation. Papers documenting this period are limited but include appointment books, correspondence, memoranda, publications, reports and speeches. 1 1 About / Biographical Advisory Board on Historic Sites, Buildings and Monuments in the National Capital Region Anti-war Demonstration Expenses Applications, Performance Ratings, Personnel Actions Appointment Books 2 5 January-November January-December January-December January-December Briefing Statement... Background, Activities, Projects January 5, 1973 Correspondence Albright, Horace and Memoranda Directories 13 Summer in the Parks Staff Directory and the National Capital Parks Telephone Directory Federal Executive Institute Session National Capital Parks: A National Heritage. Legislative History and Points of Interest Along Tour Route Undated 16 National Capital Parks Articles in Parks & Recreation June Northern Arizona University Pine, Alumni Association Bulletin Fall Programs

10 Series 2, National Capital Region and National Capital Parks ( ).59 cubic feet consisting of 28 folders. Publications 3 19 NCR Notes January-February NPRS Newsletter Newspaper Clippings Park Road Standards 1968 Reports 23 National Parks for the Future: Task Force Reports March 1972 Speeches 24 Articles, Bulletins, Notes, Pamphlets, Statements ; Undated Dickenson 25 (Associate Regional Director), Union Station Plaza May 8, "Summer in the Parks" Superintendents

11 Series 3, Deputy Director to the Director of the National Park Service ( ) 1.17 cubic feet consisting of 35 folders. Dickenson shared responsibility and spoke for Director Ronald H. Walker while he was on field visits, meetings, conferences, and on leave. He attended meetings with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and other high level officials, met with members of Congress and their staff to interpret National Park Service policies and programs and served on top-level Interior and interagency committees concerning conservation of the nation's resources, beautification, and social programs. 4 1 About / Biographical Awards, Evaluations, Personnel Actions Appointment Books 2 January-December January-December January-November January-December Awards, Certificates Correspondence 5 7 Albright, Horace and Memoranda. 8 January-November July-December January-May June-December January-December Directories: Pacific Northwest Regional Office and WASO [Washington Support Office] Everhardt, Gary Invitations (Formal) Programs Publications 17 Arts in the Park and Recreation Settings by Bennett Schiff [1973] 18 Congress Illustrated [1973] 6 19 Federal Executive Institute Directory and Handbook The Forests and Wetlands of New York City by Elizabeth Barlow In Touch With People, U.S. Department of the Interior Conservation Series No Lyndon Baines Johnson ( ): Late a President of the United States Memorial Tributes Delivered in Congress LBJ: 37 Years of Public Service

12 Series 3, Deputy Director to the Director of the National Park Service ( ) 1.17 cubic feet consisting of 35 folders. Publications 6 24 NPS Planning & Concession Operations, Joint Hearing before Certain Subcommittees of the Committee on Government Operations and the Permanent Select Committee on Small Business House of Representatives 1974 Newsletters 25 Conservation Foundation Letter July-August The Courier (Selected Issues) NPS Newsletter The Origin and the Evolution of the National Military Park Idea Outdoor Recreation: A Legacy for America Public Use of the National Park System, Calendar Year Report Summer in the Parks Who Am I? Reflections on the Meaning of Parks on the Occasion of the Nation's Bicentennial by Freeman Tilden "The Rangers" Movie about the National Park Service Rangers 1974 Speeches 34 Dickenson Mott, William Penn, Jr. [197?] 11

13 Series 4, Regional Director of the Pacific Northwest Region ( ).93 cubic feet consisting of 38 folders. Dickenson had principal responsibility with delegated authority for all National Park Service functions in the Pacific Northwest Region. In addition to managing large established parks, monuments, historic sites and undeveloped areas, he administered programs in the region and provided guidance to the Area Director in Alaska as he had done as Deputy Director in Washington, D.C. 7 1 About / Biographical Appointments, Awards, Personnel Actions Alaska, Skagway 1977 Appointment Books 3 April-December 1976 (except October) 4 January-December January-December 1978 (and Activity Schedule) 8 6 January-December 1979 (and Activity Schedule) 7 Awards, Certificates, Memberships Correspondence 8 Albright, Horace Concerning New Appointments December 1975-March Dickenson's Invitations (Formal) Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove Undated 13 Northern Arizona University: Alumni Bulletins, Correspondence, News Clippings on Honors Received Programs Publications 15 Congressional Pictorial Directory January Federal Executive Institute Directory The Interpreter: "The Role and Responsibility of Interpretation in the 1980s" by Russell Dickenson Winter National Parks & Conservation Magazine 1980 News Clippings about Dickenson Inside Interior March-April National Park Service Courier Newsletters 23 Inside Interior March-April R&P Update (Recreation & Parks, Texas A&M University) Spring/summer

14 Series 4, Regional Director of the Pacific Northwest Region ( ).93 cubic feet consisting of 38 folders. Publications 9 25 News Releases and Clippings: Dickenson's Appointment as the Northwest Regional Director Success Unlimited July Trends Summer The University Report Autumn Regional Director's Meeting: St. Louis May 19, Regional Director's Meetings: Notes , Undated Reports 31 Evolution of National Park Service Interpretation by Frank Brockman June History of the National Park Service Uniform by Jack R. Williams December 17, Nationwide Symposium on Urban Recreation Senior Executive Service 1979 Speeches 35 Articles, Bulletins, Notes, Pamphlets 1966, , Undated 36 Reed, Nathaniel P. Statement February 18, Rettie, Dwight F. February 5, Whalen, William J. (National Park Service Director) November 27,

15 Series 5, Director of the National Park Service ( ) cubic feet consisting of 120 folders. As Director Dickenson planned, administered, and controlled all National Park Service activities, within prescribed Congressional and Departmental guidelines, 323 park areas in 76 million acres of land and over 9,000 employees; he supervised ten Regional Directors, Washington office staff, and three Associate Directors; he developed policies, programs, regulations, procedures and relationships with Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of the Interior, and the public. As the fifth Director in eight years, Dickenson guided the National Park Service through difficult and exciting times growth, shifting focus, restricted budgets, and external threats to park resources. This series includes correspondence with a wide spectrum of colleagues and associates. His activities, speeches and overall leadership reflected in these papers helped restore and maintain the morale of National Park Service employees About / Biographical Benefits, Personnel Action Acreages by State 1971, Applicant's Biographical Data Undated 4 Awards, Honors Appointment Books 5 Schedules January-May 1980 Travel Schedule Birthday Greetings, Personal Notes [1980s] 10 Brochures, Pamphlets Castro, Nash Undated Correspondence Albright, Horace Congratulations (Appointment as National Park Service Director) May 1-27, May 27-28, May 28, May 29-30, June 2-4, June 5-30, July-December January-March

16 Series 5, Director of the National Park Service ( ) cubic feet consisting of 120 folders. Correspondence and Memoranda De Leo, Charlie, Statue of Liberty, "Keeper of the Flame" May 1980 Director's 23 January-June July-August 12, August 18-October November-December January-February March April May-June July-August September-October November-December January-February March-April May-June July-August September-October November-December January-February March-May June-October November-December January-March April-June July-September October-December January-February March April-May June-September October-December 1985 Retirement of Dickenson 53 November December 3-11, December 14-26, January-February

17 Series 5, Director of the National Park Service ( ) cubic feet consisting of 120 folders Death Valley National Monument Celebration Employees and Alumni Association of the National Park Service Undated 59 Idaho. University of Idaho. College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences 10-Year Plan Invitations (Formal) Mott, William Penn, Jr Northern Arizona University: The Pine, Newspaper Clippings, and Correspondence , Undated Programs: Ceremonies, Dedications, Conferences Publications 65 Appropriations Appropriations. Senate Hearings EPA Journal The National Parks: An American Tradition by Dickenson Journal-American, Mount St. Helens Volcano Special Edition [c ] 69 Land Acquisition Policy and Program of the National Park Service National Parks National Registry of Natural Landmarks, Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Federal Register Newsletters 72 The Association of National Park Rangers Dateline: NRPA [National Recreation & Park Association] Courier, The National Park Service Newsletter News Clippings National Society for Park Resources Perspectives August 1981, February 1982, February The San Antonio Conservation Society December January

18 Series 5, Director of the National Park Service ( ) cubic feet consisting of 120 folders. Publications Newsletters Update, U.S. Department of the Interior November Vanguard, Veterans Administration August 1980 Newspaper Clippings 84 May 1980-October , Undated 87 Funnies and News Releases April-May Dickenson's Retirement November 1984-April Not Man Apart, "The Park Rebellion: Charles Cushman, James Watt, and the Attack on the National Parks" by Chuck Williams June Parks & Recreation Resources, "The Director of the National Park Service Speaks Out" by Dickenson February Ranger, Journal of the Association of National Park Rangers Summer Recreation Industry Forum: Proceedings and Conclusions The Ruhle Handbook Roads and Trails Waterton-Glacier National Parks, Dickenson's Forward to the 1985 Edition 1976, The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: A Commitment to Research th Anniversary National Park Service August 25, "Toward a Premier National Park System" Trends, "Role of New Resource Managers in the NPS" by Bryan Harry(Message from NPS Director Russell Dickenson) 1982 Reports 99 A Commentary on the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Controversy East Bay Regional Park District Annual Financial Plan Juan Bautista De Anza: Draft National Trail Study Environmental Assessment August A New Mandate for Interpretation by Donald R. Field Proposed Park Reservations for East Bay Cities (California) Thoughts on a New Interpretation by Donald R. Field and Gary E. Machlis Trail of Tears: Draft National Trail Study September U.S. Park Police Inauguration Detail January 20,

19 Series 5, Director of the National Park Service ( ) cubic feet consisting of 120 folders. Speeches Notes, Statements, on Camera Narrations 1984, Undated 108 Carlson Chris (Field Representative) October 24, 1980 Dickenson 109 May-September October-November January-August September-December January-November February-December April-November Izaak Walton League Luncheon February 15, Remarks at Memorial Services for John Townsley September 23, Reed, Nathaniel P. May 2, Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation Preservation Project Financial Plan Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation: News Releases, Reports, Correspondence on Preservation , Undated 121 Tar Sand Development 1984, Undated 122 Watt, James G. Articles, Cartoons, Editorials, Speeches , Undated 123 Whalen, William J. April 24, World Heritage Site (Redwoods) May 22,

20 Series 6, Post-National Park Service ( ) 1.75 cubic feet consisting of 45 folders. Majority of the materials in this series relate to Dickenson's work as a member of the National Park System Advisory Board from 1985 to First authorized in 1935 under the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act, the Board advises the Director of the National Park Service and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to the National Park Service, the National Park System, and programs administered by the National Park Service. The series contains agendas, articles, brochures, charts, clippings, correspondence, legal documents, memoranda, minutes, pamphlets, press releases, publications, reports, resolutions, resumes, and statements. Also included are materials relating to a legal case concerning the free travel of local residents through the Colorado National Monument to and from Glade Park and Grand Junction, Colorado. In addition, there is biographical information and obituaries about Russell Dickenson [Aircraft Management Plan: Environmental Assessment, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona] [Air Quality in the National Parks] [Alaska] [America's Industrial Heritage Project Action Plan] [Articles and Clippings] A [CRM Bulletin] 1989 [Dickenson, Russell] 6B [Corenliuis Amory Pugsley Award Biographical Information] C [Obituaries] [Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center Dedication] 1987 Hetch Hetchy [Valley and Reservoir] 8 October 1987-June 2, June 6-October 2, [International Perspectives on Cultural Parks: Proceedings of the First World Conference] 1984 [John R. Wilkenson v. James Watt et al Case] 11 March 1988-February 1, February 27-July 25, 1989 [National Park Service] 13 [Management Policies] [1987 Annual Report] [The Story behind the Scenery] [1987] [National Park System Advisory Board] [Agendas and Minutes] 16 November 1985-September November 1986-October

21 Series 6, Post-National Park Service ( ) 1.75 cubic feet consisting of 45 folders. [National Park System Advisory Board] [Agendas and Minutes] April and August 1989 Briefings and Statements , 1984-August September 1986-Janauary April-October [Correspondence] Ethnography, Lifeways, and the Intangible Cultural Resolution 25 April 1983-February March April-December [c. 1987]-February April 1988-June 1989 [Hovenweep National Monument Study and Recommendations] 30 May-June June-August [Members' Resumes and Committee Assignments] [Memoranda] National Historic Landmarks and National Trails [Notes] Resolutions Committee [U.S. Department of the Interior News Releases] [National Trust for Historic Preservation 1987 Annual Report] [North Cascades General Management Plan] [Olympic National Park] Operations Evaluation Information [Salem, Massachusetts Project] Take Pride in America [Campaign]