Lambert/Harrison Family Papers, 1851-1965 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Alisha Ashby

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Collection Overview

Title: Lambert/Harrison Family Papers, 1851-1965

Extent: 2.34

Date Acquired: 09/13/2002

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Lambert/Harrison Family Papers highlights the lives of several members of the family but focuses on Dean Warren Lambert. The collection features an emphasis on Dean's interest in politics, military affairs, foreign language, history, and the many clubs and organizations that he was involved with. This emphasis can be seen in his correspondence, his collected publications, his photos, and his personal writings. Lambert was invested in his community - he wrote histories of Berea and participated in various community groups and clubs, such as the Berea Players or the Bluegrass Boys' State.

Regarding other members of the Lambert/Harrison family, Dean's mother (May Harrison), aunt (Elizabeth "Bessie" Harrison), and grandfather (John G. Harrison) are present in correspondence, memorandum books, collected publications, financial papers, and educational papers.

Collection Historical Note

Dean Warren Lambert was born in 1927 in Fairfax, South Dakota, but was raised in Berea, KY by his mother, May Harrison. He went on to get his bachelor's degree from Berea College in 1948. He received his masters degree and doctorate degree from University of Kentucky. He worked for the Berea Citizen paper and served as a clerk for Hon. Francis Case (State Representative - South Dakota). Finally, he joined Berea College as a history faculty member in 1953 where he specialized in Russian history and U.S. Civil War history. Dean was involved with many clubs and organizations such as Bluegrass Boys’ State, the Berea Players, the Berea Cemetery Association, and he was a founding member of the Madison County Civil War Roundtable. In 1995, Dean published When the Ripe Pears Fall: The Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, a history of the Civil War in Richmond, Kentucky. This work is also available in our archives. Dean passed away in 2002 and is buried in Berea, KY.

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Hayes, John William

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Correspondence],
[Series 2: Financial Series],
[Series 3: Newspaper Series],
[Series 4: Organizations and Clubs],
[Series 5: Personal Writings],
[Series 6: Photographs],
[Series 7: Publications],
[Series 8: Subject Series],
[All]

Series 4: Organizations and Clubs

Box 3

Folder 10: Republican National Committee at Berea, 1948: Contains items related to the Republican National Committee. Dean served as chairman for the committee. The folder contains ID cards, invitations to join to serve, correspondence regarding upcoming events with the committee, drafts of statements, suggestions for a mock political convention and event programs
Folder 11: The Berea Players, 1940-1947: Contains items related to the Berea Players, a theater club in Berea. Includes letters from the director, memos to alumni players, newsletters for the players, and event programs.
Folder 12: The Berea Players, 1947-1950: Contains continues materials related to the Berea Players. Includes event programs, playbills, correspondence regarding audio visual release forms, and a partial script for a show apparently about the founding of Berea College
Folder 13: Bluegrass Boys State, 1962-1965: Contains materials related to the Bluegrass Boys' State. Includes photographs and correspondence regarding upcoming events.
Folder 14: Miscellaneous Organizations and Clubs, Undated: Contains materials related to various clubs and organizations Dean was involved with. Includes American Youth Foundation, the Richmond Cemetery Co., and the Young Historian Association.