Richards/McKinney Family Papers, ca. 1900-1997 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Alisha Rhymer

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Collection Overview

Title: Richards/McKinney Family Papers, ca. 1900-1997

Primary Creator: Mary Frances Richards (1900-1987)

Extent: 18.43 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 09/27/1989

Subjects: Eastern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University--Alumni and alumnae., Eastern Kentucky University--Faculty and staff., Education--Kentucky., Family history., Great Depression., Kentucky--Genealogy., West (U.S.)--Description and travel., World War, 1939-1945., YMCA, YWCA

Abstract

The Richards/McKinney Family Papers contains correspondence, photographs, genaology, legan and financial documents, and documents related to EKU. The collection follows Mary Frances McKinney Richards (1900-1987) and Rollin Rhoten Richards aka "Dick" (1898 - 1997). Both Mary Frances and Dick were faculty at Eastern for the length of their careers, and remained involved in Alumni affairs until their deaths. Many items in the collection relate to Mary Frances.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Richards Family Papers contains correspondence, photographs, genaology, legal documents, financial documents, and documents related to EKU. The collection follows Mary Frances McKinney Richards and R.R. "Dick" Richards for the length of their careers at Eastern Kentucky University. Dick began teaching at Eastern in 1929, while Mary Frances began teaching in 1924. Records indicate that they both retired from teaching in the summer of 1966, but they remained deeply involved in Alumni affairs until their deaths. Mary Frances and Dick stayed in contact with many of their students throughout the years, which is displayed in the large correspondence selection. Additionally, the McKinneys rented out rooms in their home to local boys attending Eastern, and Mary Frances remained close with many of them for years after. Although Mary Frances and Dick never had children of their own, they treated many of these students as their own. The Richards Family enjoyed traveling the globe, taking many interesting and beautiful photos which are represented in the collection. This collection contains a host of genealogical materials from many Madison and Clark County families, which reflects the interest that Mary Frances had in researching her family history. Mary Frances maintained very organized genealogical records, complete with identification numbers and photos. In addition to those records, Mary Frances documented her own family history through written stories. Mary Frances and Dick were also members of the First United Methodist Church in Richmond, Kentucky, so there are many documents related to the church itself as well as the history of the church.

It is important to note that most of the documents in this collection are related to Mary Frances rather than Dick. Born in 1900 to Leatha Griggs McKinney and David B. McKinney, Mary Frances remained unmarried until her early fifties. Therefore, much of the collection highlights her life prior to her marriage to Dick. The collection contains Mary Frances' diaries, beginning as early as 1917, and a variety of early correspondence only addressed to Mary Frances. Additionally, Mary Frances was involved in multiple organizations which are reflected in the collection. For example, Mary Frances' work with the Danforth Foundation in student outreach is represented in this collection, as is her involvement with YWCA and Alumni Affairs. While working as the Alumni secretary, Mary Frances appears in correspondence as opinionated on Eastern's affairs, as well as intelligent in her knowledge of campus politics. From Mary Frances' perspective, this collection also depicts WWII and the impact that the war had on Eastern and its student population.

Finally, due to their life-long involvement with Eastern, this collection illustrates the Eastern experience from the perspective of the Richards Family. Their perspective offers not only experience as faculty, but students as well. Included in this collection are many pieces of ephemera and memorbilia from Mary Frances and Dick's time at Eastern. Additionally, the collection contains many photos of Eastern through the years, including early photos from their time as students and expanding through the many homecoming events at Eastern. The Richardses lived near campus, on Lancaster, and their home at Lancaster is represented in the collection through photos as well.

Collection Historical Note

Mary Frances McKinney was born in 1900 to Leatha Griggs McKinney and David B. McKinney in Richmond, KY, where she lived until her death in 1987. Rollin Rhoten Richards (R.R. Richards) aka "Dick" was born in 1898 in Russell County, KY, to William A. Richards and Lillie Richards. He died in 1997. Mary Frances and Dick were married in 1953. After Mary Frances' death, Dick remarried to Dorothy N. Fields in 1989. Mary Frances had two siblings, Ethel "Walker" McKinney Swofford and David H. McKinney who appear in the collection in correspondence and photographs. Mary Frances and Dick had no children.

Subject/Index Terms

Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University--Alumni and alumnae.
Eastern Kentucky University--Faculty and staff.
Education--Kentucky.
Family history.
Great Depression.
Kentucky--Genealogy.
West (U.S.)--Description and travel.
World War, 1939-1945.
YMCA
YWCA

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Richards, Mary F.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: First United Methodist Church Series],
[Series 3: Genealogy Series],
[Series 4: Newspaper Series],
[Series 5: Photograph Series],
[Series 6: Subject Series],
[All]

Series 2: First United Methodist Church Series

Box 18

UnitID: 3 1234 01392387 3

Folder 1: "First Messenger" Newsletter, 1957-1958: Includes a newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church in Richmond, KY.
Folder 2: First United Methodist Church Board Meetings, 1958-1981: Includes board meeting notes, agendas, and meeting minutes for the First United Methodist Church in Richmond, KY.
Folder 3: First United Methodist Church Calendars, 1976-1987: Church calendars from the First United Methodist Church in Richmond, KY.
Folder 4: First United Methodist Church Canvasses, 1959-1961: Canvassing documents and two "Canvasser's Presentation Booklet"s
Folder 5: First United Methodist Church Correspondence, 1951-1982: Miscellaneous correspondence regarding the First United Methodist Church and between church members
Folder 6: First United Methodist Church Deeds, 1893-1923: Deed to the First United Methodist Church
Folder 7: First United Methodist Church Directories, 1970-1984: Includes church directories from 1970-1984
Folder 8: "First Word" Newsletter, 1985-1986: Includes "First Word" newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 9: "First Word" Newsletter, 1986: Includes "First Word" newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 10: First United Methodist Church Financial Records, 1907-1983: Financial records for the First United Methodist Church 1907-1983
Folder 11: First United Methodist Church Financial Reports, 1976-1980: Financial reports from 1976-1980 for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 12: First United Methodist Church Proposed Budget and Program, 1981-1983: Proposed Budget and Programs from 1981-1983

Box 19

UnitID: 3 1234 01392388 1

Folder 1: First United Methodist Church History, 1981: Volume I of the First United Methodist Church history, as compiled and written by Mary Frances.
Folder 2: First United Methodist Church History, 1981-1982: Handwritten drafts for the First United Methodist Church History
Folder 3: First United Methodist Church History, 1981-1982: Continued First United Methodist Church History, including both handwritten drafts and typed documents telling the history of the church
Folder 4: First United Methodist Church History - Photos, 1907-1981: Photos of the First United Methodist Church, as well as members of the church and church events
Folder 5: First United Methodist Church "In Remembrance", 1980-1981: Includes two memorial pamphlets and an obituary for members of the church
Folder 6: First United Methodist Church Inventory, Undated: Undated, brief church inventory, including registers, hymn books, and various bible types
Folder 7: First United Methodist Church Membership, 1950-1979: Includes documents identifying members of the church, and some documents outlining expectations for church members
Folder 8: First United Methodist Church - Misc., 1927-1990: Includes handouts, invitations, newsletters, and special event documents (such as those from Easter or Christmas holidays)
Folder 9: First United Methodist Church Programs, 1952-1976: Church programs from the First United Methodist Church, 1952-1976
Folder 10: First United Methodist Church Programs, 1977-1982: Church programs from the First United Methodist Church, 1977-1982
Folder 11: First United Methodist Church Programs, 1986-1989: Church programs from the First United Methodist Church, 1986-1989
Folder 12: First United Methodist Church Newspaper Clippings, 1972-1987: Newspaper clippings about First United Methodist Church
Folder 13: First United Methodist Church Renovations, 1960: Photos of kitchen renovations in the First United Methodist Church, as well as financial document
Folder 14: First United Methodist Church "The Columns", 1990: The First United Methodist Church publication, "The Columns", in 1990

Box 20

UnitID: 3 1234 01392389 9

Folder 1: "The Methodist Messenger", 1976-1978: Newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 2: "The Methodist Messenger", 1978-1979: Newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 3: "The Methodist Messenger", 1980-1981: Newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 4: "The Methodist Messenger", 1982-1983: Newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 5: "The Methodist Messenger", 1984-1985: Newsletter publication for the First United Methodist Church

Box 21

UnitID: 3 1234 01392390 7

Folder 1: First United Methodist Church - "Trustee Talk", 1979-1984: Trustee Talk publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 2: First United Methodist Church - "Trustee Talk", 1985-1986: Trustee Talk publication for the First United Methodist Church
Folder 3: United Methodist Women - Misc., 1978-1984: Newsletters for the United Methodist Women
Folder 4: Kentucky Churches - Misc., 1944-1972: Programs and newsletters from various other Kentucky churches
Folder 5: Southern Hills Methodist Church Programs, 1965-1967: Programs from the Southern Hills Methodist Church
Folder 6: The First Christian Church Programs/Newsletters, 1977-1986: Programs and newsletters from the First Christian Church in Richmond, KY.
Folder 7: The Kentucky Conference - Methodist Churches, 1951: Documents from the Kentucky Conference for the Methodist Church, held at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College in 1951
Folder 8: The Kentucky United Methodist Publications, 1979
Folder 9: United Methodist Women Publications, 1982
Folder 10: Church of Christ, Union - Berea, KY - Program, 1979