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 1: Correspondence

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014261414

Folder 1: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, 1930-1947: Contains correspondence between Dean Lambert and his mother, May Harrison. Topics in this folder: mostly May writing to tell Dean news from back home while he is in school or working at camp (Camp Piomingo and Camp Miniwanca), with Dean telling her about his daily activities and requesting things like stamps or boxes.
Folder 2: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, 1948: Contains correspondence between Dean Lambert and his mother, May Harrison. Most of the correspondence in this folder is from Dean to his mother. There are heavy discussions on his political opinions, especially concerning the actions of the American government and military following WWII. Additionally, Dean began working as a clerk for Hon. Francis Case, a state representative from South Dakota (where Dean's father was from). While working as a clerk, Dean often writes home to report his experiences sitting in on meetings of the House of Representatives and Congress, as well as attending the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. Specifically, Dean writes about debates within the House and Congress regarding the desegregation of the U.S. Military. Finally, some of the letters from Dean highlight his desire to work in Germany on an assistantship with hopes of a career in military politics.
Folder 3: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, 1949: Contains correspondence between Dean Lambert and his mother, May. Most of the correspondence in this folder revolves around Dean's time in Washington. The two write each other talking of news from home, political commentary, and other odds and ends. Dean writes about his continued work with Case, his attempts to continue publishing with Berea Citizen from South Dakota, and his studies. May writes to him regarding what she perceives as drama at Berea College. Finally, Dean writes in March about standing outside Blair House in Washington DC and seeing Winston Churchill emerge from his car and meet with Truman.
Folder 4: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, July 1950 - August 1950: Contains correspondence from May to Dean. Most of the content is her continued news from home, although there is some political commentary regarding the upcoming Korean War, as well as a notification to Dean that he has been notified of his need to report for selective service.
Folder 5: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, August 1950 - December 1950: Contains correspondence from May to Dean. Most of the content is her continued news from home. She notes that she is unsure if Dean is receiving her letters.
Folder 6: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, February 1951 - October 1951: Contains correspondence between Dean and his mother, May. Dean writes from Fort Wood training camp, details about the military, training, weather, and his time in the army. He also details a "field exercise" during training and notes his upcoming move to Camp Carson. He writes about his interest in movies/theater and writes reviews to his mother. Dean offers further political discussion, including early cold war opinions and his thoughts on the Korean War.
Folder 7: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, November 1951 - December 1951: Contains correspondence between Dean Lambert and his mother, May. Most of the correspondence is from Dean to his mother as he describes his move to Camp Carson. He describes the hiking trips he takes to Royal Gorge, Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, and the Garden of the Gods. Additionally, he talks about a Robert Mitchum movie being filmed near the base that he is interested in. He describes going to Camp Hale with his unit for "arctic indoctrination" training. Finally, some correspondence from his mother talks aboutt he Naturalization Act of 1946 - held up in 1949, and gives her opinions on this along with sending a newsclipping regarding the issue.
Folder 8: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, 1952: Contains correspondence from May to Dean, detailing news from home and some responses to political commentary. Dean's correspondence from this time is missing.
Folder 9: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, Undated: Most of this correspondence is from May to Dean, and likely fills some of the gaps from the previous folders but which lack dates to put them in their proper context. The content largely represents May filling Dean in on affairs from back home, as well as responding to his political commentary and requests to have things sent to him.
Folder 10: Dean Lambert/May Harrison Correspondence, Undated: Most of this correspondence is from May to Dean, and likely fills some of the gaps from the previous folders but which lack dates to put them in their proper context. The content largely represents May filling Dean in on affairs from back home, as well as responding to his political commentary and requests to have things sent to him.
Folder 11: to Dean Lambert, 1941-1949: Correspondence from friends and distant family members to Dean while away at school or work
Folder 12: to Dean Lambert, 1950-1964: Correspondence from friends and distant family members to Dean while away at school or work
Folder 13: to May Harrison, 1895-1951: Correspondence to Dean's mother, May, from friends and family members over the years.

Box 2

Barcode: 31234014261422

Folder 1: Elizabeth Harrison Correspondence, 1906-1953: Correspondence to Dean's aunt Elizabeth, often referred to in correspondence as Bessie. From friends and family, especially while she is away at college.
Folder 2: John G. Harrison Correspondence, 1879-1922: Correspondence to Dean's grandfather John (May's father). Includes correspondence from various businesses, distant family members, and children.
Folder 3: Miscellaneous Harrison Family Correspondence, 1880-1899: Correspondence addressed to various members of the Harrison family, often more than one member of the Harrison family, usually from cousins or family friends
Folder 4: Christmas Cards, 1959
Folder 5: Christmas Cards, Undated
Folder 6: Christmas Cards, Undated