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Pioneer National Monument Association & Fort Boonesborough State Park Association Records, 1926-1976

By Charles Hay

Collection Overview

Title: Pioneer National Monument Association & Fort Boonesborough State Park Association Records, 1926-1976

Extent: 1.32 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 07/27/1981

Languages: English [eng]

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Eastern Kentucky University Archives acquired the Pioneer National Monument and Fort Boonesborough State Park Association records on two different occasions. In his capacity as president of the Fort Boonesborough State Park Association from its inception in 1965 until his retirement as President of Eastern Kentucky University in 1976, Dr. Robert R. Martin accumulated approximately .5 cubic feet of records of that organization. All of those documents were placed with Dr. Martin's Eastern Kentucky University president's office records when they were transferred to the Archives in late 1976. The records were processed in 1977. The Archives acquired the Pioneer National Monument Association and a few Fort Boonesborough State Park Association records in 1981, shortly after the death of Eastern history professor Quentin B. Keen. Dr. Keen had served as secretary/treasurer of the Fort Boonesborough State Park Association from 1967 to 1980. He apparently had inherited the files of the Pioneer National Monument Association from long-time Boonesborough advocate and retired Eastern professor of history Dr. Jonathan Truman Dorris.

The accession from President Martin and the one received from Dr. Keen were interfiled in chronological order when they were processed in 1985. The records vividly tell a story of dogged persistence by both organizations, especially the Pioneer National Monument Association, in promoting Boonesborough as a historical site and the necessity to bring it into the Kentucky state park system. The records reflect the intense lobbying efforts of a dedicated group of individuals who navigated through the confusing waters of state and congressional politics. The records are very complete; however, there have been no additions since 1976.

The Archives is particularly indebted to Dr. George W. Robinson, former chair of Eastern's history department, for securing Dr. Keen's collection of records. The records are open to qualified researchers.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Source: Keen, Quentin

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: CorrespondenceAdd to your cart.
The Correspondence Series consists of three boxes of materials covering the years 1926-1976. As mentioned in the introduction to this inventory, the records of the Pioneer National Monument Association and the Fort Boonesborough State Park Association have been interfiled and are arranged in chronological order. The records contain articles of incorporation, minutes of meetings, newspaper articles, deeds and contracts, publications and promotional materials, correspondence, and financial records. The correspondence of Dr. J. T. Dorris, long time president of the Pioneer National Monument Association, is particularly illuminating. Dorris worked tirelessly to promote the cause of Boonesborough. He received correspondence from Kentucky governors A. B. "Happy" Chandler through Edward T. Breathitt and letters from Kentucky's United States senators Alben W. Barkley, Earle C. Clements, John Sherman Cooper, and Thruston B. Morton and representative John C. Watts. Of particular interest is the lobbying efforts the associations carried on with various representatives of state government.
Box 1Add to your cart.
Barcode: 31234014030520
Folder 1: Correspondence, 1926-1939Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1942-1944Add to your cart.
Folder 3: Correspondence, 1945-1944Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1948-1950Add to your cart.
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1951-1952Add to your cart.
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1953-Feb. 1954Add to your cart.
Folder 7: Correspondence, Mar. 1954-Oct. 1954Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Correspondence, Nov. 1954Add to your cart.
Folder 9: Correspondence, Dec. 1954Add to your cart.
Box 2Add to your cart.
Barcode: 31234014030538
Folder 1: Correspondence, 1955Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Correspondence, Jan.-Mar. 1956Add to your cart.
Folder 3: Correspondence, Apr.-Aug. 1956Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Correspondence, Sep.-Dec. 1956Add to your cart.
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1957Add to your cart.
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1958Add to your cart.
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1959Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Correspondence, Jan.-Aug. 1960Add to your cart.
Box 3Add to your cart.
Barcode: 31234014030546
Folder 1: Correspondence, Sep.-Dec. 1960Add to your cart.
Folder 2: Correspondence, 1961Add to your cart.
Folder 3: Correspondence, 1962Add to your cart.
Folder 4: Correspondence, 1963Add to your cart.
Folder 5: Correspondence, 1964Add to your cart.
Folder 6: Correspondence, 1965-1968Add to your cart.
Folder 7: Correspondence, 1969-1970Add to your cart.
Folder 8: Correspondence, 1971-1972Add to your cart.
Folder 9: Correspondence, 1973Add to your cart.
Folder 10: Correspondence, 1974-1976Add to your cart.
Series 2: Maps and ChartsAdd to your cart.
The Maps and Charts Series is contained in one small document box and covers the years 1928-1965. The records consists of maps, charts, and land surveys of the Blue Licks and Fort Boonesborough areas.
Box 4Add to your cart.
Barcode: 31234014030553
Folder 1: Blue Licks Battlefield State ParkAdd to your cart.
Folder 2: Fort Boonesborough State ParkAdd to your cart.