Kentucky State Poetry Society (KSPS) Records, 1966-2012 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Collection Overview

Title: Kentucky State Poetry Society (KSPS) Records, 1966-2012

Primary Creator: Kentucky State Poetry Society (1965-)

Extent: 2.45 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 02/12/1988. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: American poetry. - Kentucky, Kentucky State Poetry Society, Poetry, Modern--20th century., Poets, American - Kentucky, Stuart, Jesse, 1906-1984

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Kentucky State Poetry Society records document the activities of the organization, especially in the first two decades. During that time there are photographs, scrapbooks, news clippings, membership lists and correspondence which show the activities of the group.

The collection includes an almost complete set of Pegasus and the newsletter as well as publications from other related organizations. Also included are records of the poetry contests with annotations by Jesse Stuart on the poems he judged in the 1971 contest. A notebook of biographical information, photographs and manuscript poems by Kentucky poets is also noteworthy.

Biographical Note

The Kentucky State Poetry Society (KSPS) grew out of a meeting of the Eastern Kentucky Poetry Society in Ashland, Kentucky in 1965. In 1966 KSPS was accepted by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. The first annual meeting was at the Henry Clay Hotel in Ashland on October 16, 1967. Since that time the annual meeting has been held during October at various sites in Kentucky. In 1976 Governor Julian Carroll proclaimed October 15th as National Poetry Day.

In 1966 the first Pegasus was printed. At that time the publication consisted of four pages. By 1970 it grew to a much larger periodical and has been issued from two to four times a year. Members also receive a bi-monthly newsletter giving news of publications and various markets for members' poetry.

Membership in KSPS is not restricted to Kentuckians nor is age a barrier. In the early seventies there were over five hundred members.

An annual contest is held each year containing more than thirty categories. In addition a book fair is held each year at B. Dalton Book Store in Oxmoor Center in Louisville. KSPS continues to prosper and grow. The collection of publications generated by members is housed in University Archives at Eastern Kentucky University.

Subject/Index Terms

American poetry. - Kentucky
Kentucky State Poetry Society
Poetry, Modern--20th century.
Poets, American - Kentucky
Stuart, Jesse, 1906-1984

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Folder OS 1: Broadsides and Prints, undated],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014056533

Folder 1: Annual Awards Weekend Programs, 1971-2006

Folder 2: Brochures & Flyers

Various information on poetry contests, workshops, festivals and events.

Folder 3: Constitution & By-Laws, 1974-1989

Folder 4: Correspondence, 1967-2012

Folder 5: Financial Records, 1976-1981

Folder 6: Kentucky Poets Album, undated

Album created by Thelma Kiser that includes photographs, biographies and a handwritten poem of Kentucky poets. Included are Sister Albertina, Jesse Stuart, Lillie D. Chaffin, May Gray, Zelia Jarrett, Katherine McClure Amyx, Audrey Wood, Miriam Lamy Woolfolk, Anne Pence Davis, Mary Bee Rogers, Mary Jane Barnes, Lois C. Solvin, Thelma Scott Kiser, Linda Swift Reeder, Paul Salyers, Henrietta Liebknecht, Mary G. Faulconer, James Calvin Goode, Nancy Neal Eidson, Eskie M. Wheeler, Roma Kiser Huffman, Louise Sparks Salyer, Hazel Damron, James W. Proctor, Verna Witten McCutchan, Elsie Halsey Lacy, William Walter DeBolt, Dorothy Edwards Townsend, Lee Pennington, Margaret Neal, Alney Norrell and Beatrice Goins Dougherty.

Folder 7: Membership Lists, 1968-1993

Many years are missing and some years include only officers and board members.

Folder 8: News Clippings, 1971-1985

Folder 9: Photographs, 1971-1984

Item 1: Jesse Stuart at home in W-Hollow: Physical Description: 8x5
Item 2: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1970: Seated: Rose W. Chandler, Jesse Stuart, T. Kisser. Standing: Rufus Reed, Lee Pennington, Bill Cohen - Jenny Wiley State Park; Physical Description: 8x10
Item 3: Sister Albertina: Physical Description: 2x3.5
Item 4: Jesse Stuart: Physical Description: 3x3.5
Item 5: Kentucky Colonels Blanche Jones and Thelma Kiser, 1967: 1st KSPS meeting - Ashland; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 6: Blanche Jones, Jesse Stuart, Me, Jim Wayne Miller: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 7: Rufus Reed, Lillie Chaffin, Blanche Jones, Sylvia Auxier, Amanda Brewer, Quentin Howard: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 8: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1967: 1st KSPS meeting - Ashland; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 9: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1967: 1st KSPS meeting - Ashland; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 10: Sylvia Auxier, Lillie Chaffin, Quentin Howard: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 11: Mary Ellen, Jim Wayne Miller: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 12: Blanche Jones, Jim Wayne Miller: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 13: David and Phyllis Brandenburg: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 14: Jim Clark, Sister Albertina, Blanche Jones, Thelma Kiser: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 15: Woodridge Spears, Zella Jarrett: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 16: David Brandenburg, Mary Ellen, Jim Wayne Miller: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 17: Wild Bill Cohen: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 18: Ada Jobe, Thelma Kiser, Blanche Jones, Jesse Stuart, Bess Ison, Bill Cohen, 1967: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 19: Delores and William Howard Cohen: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 20: Annamanda: Inspiration for KSPS cat contest; Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 21: Prentice Baker, Joy Bale, Roberta Bonnell: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 22: Christy White and Halley White, 1967, Oct: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 23: Lois Solvin - 1974 Contest Chairman, 1974: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 24: An interesting license plate - spotted in Jacksonville, Florida: Physical Description: 3.5x4
Item 25: Thelma Kiser, 1970: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 26: Bruce Rogers, 1972: Receiving award for best book manuscript for his "Minoan Starships"; Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 27: Guy Owen - feature speaker, Linda Reeder - contest chairman, 1972: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 28: Lee Pennington - President, Linda Reeder - Contest Chairman, 1972: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 29: President - Fran Cornett, Speaker - Virginia Brady Young: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 30: President Fran Cornett, Contest Chairman Esther Whitehead and Assistant Eve Alderdice: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 31: Esther Whitehead, 1975: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 32: Mary Bee Rogers, 1975: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 33: Hazel Ray at breakfast, 1975: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 34: Book Fair ar B. Dalton's Bookstore - Linda Reeder and Ethel Seese: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 35: Miriam Woolfolk at Book Fair: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 36: Lexington Poets, Chapter KSPS, 1981: Lexington Public Library from left: Salley Anschel, Dag Ryen, Miriam Woolfolk, Sandy Gladfelter, and Miriam Campbell (Pine Ridge) front: Marguerite Cleveland and her sister, Ruth Marshall; Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 37: Louisville Poetry Society, 1975: Jack Rogers, Fran Cornett, J. Proctor, Doug and Lynn Danffenback, Tom Westbrook; Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 38: Louisville Poetry Society: left to right: Lynn Danffenback, Tom Westbrook, Ruth Clark, Mattie P Down, Audrey Wood, Jack R. G. - Louisville Library; Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 39: Collage of 1971 KSPS Annual Meeting: Physical Description: 8x10
Item 40: Jim Wayne Miller, Thelma Kiser, Blanche Jones, Jesse Stuart: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 41: Wanda Luttrell, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 42: Juanita Johnson, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 43: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 44: Thelma Kiser: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 45: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 46: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 47: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 48: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 49: Jim Wayne Miiler speaking, 1978: Physical Description: 7x5
Item 50: A young with her award, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 51: Juanita Johnson and Jim Wayne Miller, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 52: Jim Wayne Miller, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 53: Linda Reeder and James Proctor, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 54: Jim Wayne Miller, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 55: Poetry Workshop, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 56: Poetry Workshop, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 57: Jim Wayne Miller and Lee Pennington, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 58: James Proctor and ?, 1978: Awards banquet; Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 59: Juanita Johnson and Jim Wayne Miller, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 60: Awards Banquet, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 61: Awards Banquet, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 62: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 63: Thelma and Boyd Kiser, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 64: Helen Hunt, Lucy Nolen, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 65: Lee and Joy Pennington, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 66: Mary Jane Barnes, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 67: Lucy Nolen, 1978: Physical Description: 3.5x4.5
Item 68: Juanita Johnson and Jim Wayne Miller, 1978: Physical Description: 3x3.5
Item 69: Unidentified woman speaking, 1978: Physical Description: 2x3.5
Item 70: KSPS in 36 States Map, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 71: Jesse Stuart, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 72: Harry Meacham, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 73: Jesse Stuart, Harry Meacham, Ross Wiley Chandler, Quentin Howard, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 74: Jean Ritchie, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 75: Harry Meacham, Jesse Stuart, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 76: Thelma Kiser and Joy Pennington, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 77: Sister Albertina, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 78: Thelma Kiser and Rachel Branch Shelton, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 79: Thelma Kiser and Carolyn Fuqua, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 80: Members of Host Society - Flatwoods, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 81: Jesse Stuart, Harry Meacham, Rufus Reed, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 82: Jean Ritchey [Ritchie], 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 83: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 84: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 85: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 86: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 87: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 88: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 89: Barry Goode, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 90: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 91: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 92: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 93: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 94: Jesse Stuart, Harry Meacham, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 95: Unidentified man, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 96: Harry Meacham, Jesse Stuart, Thelma Kiser, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 97: Unidentified woman, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 98: Harry Meacham, Thelma Kiser, Jesse Stuart, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 99: Harry Meacham, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 100: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 101: Harry Meacham, Jesse Stuart, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 102: Harry Meacham, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 103: A young boy reading his poem, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 104: Carolyn Fuqua, 1979: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 105: Carolyn Fuqua - President Leader, 1979: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 106: Lillie Chaffin, 1979: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 107: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1979: Physical Description: 3.5x3.5
Item 108: James Proctor - Contest Chairman, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 109: Jim Wayne Miller, Vonnie Thomas, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 110: Mary Jane Barnes: Physical Description: 2x3
Item 111: Alice Frank, Carolyn Fuqua, Juanita Johnson, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 112: LaNita Moores, James Goode, Hilda Bentley, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 113: James Proctor, Vonnie Thomas, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 114: Paul and Betty Salyer, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 115: Hilda Bentley, President, Elizabeth Woodword, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 116: J. Howell - Treasurer, Alice Frank, 1984: Physical Description: 3.5x5
Item 117: KSPS Annual Meeting, 1971: Physical Description: 3.5x5

Box 2

Barcode: 31234014056525

Folder 1: Miscellaneous, 1967-1988: This folder contains materials that were removed from the society's book collection. Included are poems, correspondence, news clippings, announcements and advertisements. Each item has been marked with the name of the book it was found in.
Folder 2: Poetry, undated: Typed and manuscript poems written by Jaye Giammarino, Richard F. Hay, Sr., Nel Modglin Maynard, Clara Rising and Rudy Thomas.
Folder 3: Poetry Contest Rules, 1967-2006
Folder 4: Poetry Contest Winners, 1966-2011: Some years are missing and others may have been printed in the newsletter.
Folder 5: Poetry Contest Winning Poems, 1967
Folder 6: Poetry Contest Winning Poems, 1971: William Higgason, editor of Haiku Magazine judged Haiku and made notes on each poem with his thoughts and recommendations. Jean Ritchie judged Ballads and made notes on several.
Folder 7: Scrapbook, 1965-1984
Folder 8: Scrapbook, 1967-1976
Folder 9: Scrapbook, 1971-1976
Folder 10: Scrapbook, 1974
Folder 11: Woodi Ishmael, 1974: Resume, brochure and magazine article about Woodi Ishmael, an artist born in Lewis County. His work included several portraits of Kentucky poets and historical figures. Reprints of his work are included here as well as a letter to Thelma Kiser regarding the materials he sent her.

Box 3

Barcode: 31234014056517

Folder 1: Cross Currents, 1966-1967: Publication of the Eastern Kentucky Poetry Society
Folder 2: Poetry Pilot, 1969-1977: Publication of The Academy of American Poets
Folder 3: Kentucky State Poetry Society Newsletter, 1966-1979
Folder 4: Kentucky State Poetry Society Newsletter, 1980-1986
Folder 5: Kentucky State Poetry Society Newsletter, 1987-1991
Folder 6: Kentucky State Poetry Society Newsletter, 1992-2006

Box 4

Barcode: 31234014056509

Folder 1: Kentucky State Poetry Society Newsletter, 2007-
Folder 2: Pegasus, 1967-1970
Folder 3: Pegasus, 1971: The actual journals are not here, just the rough drafts.
Folder 4: Pegasus, 1972: The actual journals are not here, just the rough drafts.
Folder 5: Pegasus, 1973: The actual journals are not here, just the rough drafts.
Folder 6: Pegasus, 1974-1979

Box 5

Barcode: 31234014056483

Folder 1: Pegasus, 1980-1984
Folder 2: Pegasus, 1985-1989
Folder 3: Pegasus, 1990-1994
Folder 4: Pegasus, 1996-1996
Folder 5: Pegasus, 1997-1999
Folder 6: Pegasus, 2000-2002

Box 6

Barcode: 31234014056459

Folder 1: Pegasus, 2003-2005
Folder 2: Pegasus, 2006-2008
Folder 3: Pegasus, 2009-2011
Folder 4: Pegasus, 2012-

Box 7

Barcode: 31234014056467

Folder 1: Strophes, 1976-1990: Publication of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Folder 2: Strophes, 1991-1997: Publication of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Folder 3: Strophes, 1998-2003: Publication of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Folder 4: Strophes, 2004-2008: Publication of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies
Folder 5: Strophes, 2008-: Publication of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies

Folder OS 1: Broadsides and Prints, undated

Poetry broadsides, a print of the Chaplin River covered bridge, Woodi Ishmael prints and governor's proclamations about Poetry Day and Poetry Month.

Barcode: 31234014052896

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Folder OS 1: Broadsides and Prints, undated],
[All]