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Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Robert Foster Collins papers consist of three series of records--subject, slide, and maps and charts--roughly covering the years 1953 to the present. Most of the materials relate to Mr. Collins' occupation as a United States Forest Service administrator, especially his position as supervisor of the Cumberland National Forest (renamed Daniel Boone National Forest in the 1960s) during the 1950s and 1960s.
Of particular interest to the researcher is Collins' research notes and draft of his manuscript on The History of the Daniel Boone National Forest. In addition, there is information about pioneer Kentucky history and material about conservation and environmental issues in Kentucky during the last twenty-five years.
The slide series is strong in color images which Collins took of Winchester and Clark County historical sites and structures and of field and streams and flora and fauna of Kentucky. The papers also contain information about weapons a favorite subject of Collins. The papers are open for research.
Collection Historical Note
Robert Foster Collins was born in 1906 in Lansing, Michigan to Frank Noble and Grace Foster Collins. He received his formal education in the public schools of southern Michigan and graduated with a B.S.F in 1928 from Michigan State University. In 1929 he obtained a M.F. degree from the Yale Forest School of Yale University.
Initially Collins was employed by the Land and Economic Survey of the Michigan Department of Conservation as a research assistant. By 1930 he had joined the United States Forest Service, first serving as a technical advisor at the Lake States Forest Experiment Station. From 1933 to 1934 he worked in South Dakota at the Medicine Bow National Forest and Black Hills National Forest. In 1934 he moved to the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri where he held increasingly responsible administrative positions.
His tenure there was interrupted in 1941 when his army reserve unit was called to active service. During World War II Collins was with the armor division in the South Pacific theater and participated in the Guam, Leyte, and Okinawa operations.
After the war he returned to the Mark Twain National Forest, staying there until 1950 when he was transferred to the Forest Service regional office in Philadelphia. In 1953 he was assigned as forest supervisor of the Cumberland National Forest (renamed Daniel Boone National Forest in the 1960s) in Kentucky. During his tenure the Forest Service successfully resisted the encroachment of strip miners in the forest and saw the rise of an active conservation movement in the region.
Collins retired from his supervisory position in 1970. Shortly after retirement, Collins spent four years as a visiting professor of forest policy at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. He taught a course in forest policy and wrote a textbook on Forest Policy of the United States and The History of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Collins is a member of numerous professional, historical, and civic organizations including a fellow of the Society of American Foresters. He continues his interest in Kentucky and military history, the history of weaponry, and conservation and environmental issues. He and his wife the former Ruth Estelle Mangum were married in South Dakota in 1934. They have one son, Robert T. Collins who resides in California. Mr. and Mrs. Collins lived for years in Winchester, Kentucky but recently have moved to Lexington and are living at Richmond Place.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives
Acquisition Source:
Collins, Robert F.
Other Note:
Photographs were initially numbered with the accession number; however, a decision was made to change to collection number. The database was changed, but the numbers written on the images were not changed.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Subject],
[
Series 2: Slides],
[
All]
- Series 1: Subject
- The Subject Series consists of nineteen boxes (1-19) covering many different subjects from years 1747 through 1988. The bulk of the papers fall between 1950 and 1985. Files are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically thereunder. The more prominent subjects found within the series are firearms legislation, history of Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) which includes Mr. Collins' research notes, drafts of the manuscript and final copy, Clark County history, Red River Gorge, Kentucky history, nature and forestry of Kentucky and conservation in Kentucky.
- Box 1
- Barcode: 31234014056962
- Folder 1: Acquisition Correspondence, 1929-1930
- Folder 2: Acquisition, Historical Memo by W.E. Hedges, 1956
- Folder 3: The American Forestry Association, Not Dated
- Folder 4: American Forests, 1970
- Folder 5: American Forests - High Points in Conservation March, 1955
- Folder 6: The American Revolution, 1975-1982
- Folder 7: Appalachian Mountain People by W.E. Hedge, 1971
- Folder 8: The Bald Knobbers - A Tale of the Missouri Ozarks, 1979
- Folder 9: The Battle of Blue Licks, 1982
- Folder 10: The Battle of Wildcat Mountain, 1962-1968
- Folder 11: The Beaver Creek Controversy, 1973
- Folder 12: Beaver Creek Management Area - Rangers File, 1974
- Folder 13: Beckner, Col. Lucien P., 1968
- Folder 14: Belle Breezing's "House", 1966-1976
- Folder 15: The Big South Fork Country, 1981
- Folder 16: The Biltmore Story, Not Dated
- Folder 17: Boone, Daniel Deposition - Naming of Lulbegrud Creek and Log Lick, Not Dated
- Folder 18: Boone, Daniel Historical Data, 1961
- Folder 19: Boone Historical File 1650, 1961-1976
- Box 2
- Barcode: 31234014056954
- Folder 1: The Boone Hut, 1967-1968
- Folder 2: Boone Notes, 1963-1984
- Folder 3: The Boone Trace, 1966-1971
- Folder 4: The Boone Trace, 1981
- Folder 5: Boone Trace Correspondence, 1981-1982
- Folder 6: Boone's Creek Baptist Association, History of, 1923
- Folder 7: Boone's Daniel - Rifle "Old Ticklicker", Not Dated
- Folder 8: Boone's first trip to Kentucky, Not Dated
- Folder 9: Boonesborough, Fort - Bicentennial Committee, 1975-1976
- Folder 10: Boonesborough, The Great Siege of Fort, 1972-1986
- Folder 11: Bush Settlement of Pioneer Days, Not Dated
- Recreation of the landholdings of the original landowners around the Bush Settlement.
- Folder 12: Callaway, Col. Richard, Not Dated
- Folder 13: Cave Run Reservoir, 1967-1971
- Folder 14: Civil War Historical Data, 1931-1975
- Box 3
- Barcode: 31234014056939
- Folder 1: Civil War Battle Historical Data, Not Dated
- Folder 2: The Civil War in Kentucky, Not Dated
- Folder 3: Civil War Weapons - Historical Data, 1961-1977
- Folder 4: Clark County Chronicles, 1980-1982
- Folder 5: Clark County Courthouse, 1974-1989
- Folder 6: Clark County Established, Not Dated
- Folder 7: Clark County Historical Data, 1942-1975
- Folder 8: Clark County Historical Society, 1972-1974
- Folder 9: Cassius Clay, Historical Data, 1960-1972
- Folder 10: Contribution to local government by the Cumberland National Forest, Not Dated
- Folder 11: CCC Camp Locations, 1933-1973
- Folder 12: Cumberland National Forest - Historical Data, 1929-1972
- Folder 13: Cumberland National Forest Correspondence, 1930-1937
- Folder 14: Cumberland National Forest Extension of, 1935-1971
- Box 4
- Barcode: 31234014056947
- Folder 1: Cumberland National Forest - Proclamation, 1970-1975
- Folder 2: Cumberland National Forest Report, 1937
- Folder 3: Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF) - Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area, 1940-1966
- Folder 4: DBNF - Data on Historic Sites, 1962-1973
- Folder 5: DBNF Dedication, 1965-1967
- Folder 6: DBNF History Publication Appendix - Folder 1, 1933-1966
- Folder 7: DBNF History Publication Appendix - Ex. Maps - Folder 2, 1969
- Box 5
- Barcode: 31234014056921
- Folder 1: DBNF History Publication Appendix - Folder 3, 1933-1969
- Folder 2: DBNF History Publication Appendix - Folder 4, 1953-1966
- Folder 3: DBNF History Publication Appendix - Folder 5, 1969
- Folder 4: DBNF History Publication Manuscript - Folder 1, Not Dated
- Folder 5: DBNF History Publication Manuscript - Folder 2, Not Dated
- Box 6
- Barcode: 31234014056913
- Folder 1: DBNF History Publication - Manuscript - Folder 3, 1770-1970
- Folder 2: DBNF History Publication - Manuscript - Folder 4, 1770-1970
- Folder 3: DBNF History Publication - Manuscript - Folder 5, Not Dated
- Folder 4: DBNF History Publication - Manuscript - Folder 6, Not Dated
- Box 7
- Barcode: 31234014056905
- Folder 1: DBNF History Publication - Reference Material - Folder 1, 1946-1973
- Folder 2: DBNF History Publication - Reference Material - Folder 2, Not Dated
- Folder 3: DBNF Stearns Strip Mine Case, 1953-1955
- Folder 4: DBNF History Project - The Sublimity Report, 1933-1947
- Folder 5: Dedication - Bibliography Introduction, 1974-1982
- Folder 6: Directory - Telephone, 1974-1975
- Folder 7: District Rangers Tenure on Cumberland and Daniel Boone Districts, Records of, 1941-1971
- Folder 8: The Donaldson Family - Strodes Station, Not Dated
- Box 8
- Barcode: 31234014056897
- Folder 1: The Story of Chief Doublehead & Princess Cornblossom, 1965-1975
- News clippings, correspondence and personal writings on Chief Doublehead and Princess Cornblossom. Also includes the publication Legion of the Lost Mine: Indians and Pioneers, by Thomas H. Troxel.
- Folder 2: Dueling, 1976
- Folder 3: Dueling in Kentucky, 1977
- Folder 4: Early Kentucky Pioneers, 1773-1775
- Folder 5: Eastern Kentucky Land Deed Description, Sample of, 1965
- Folder 6: Environmental Reference Material, 1971
- Folder 7: Environmental Statement - Beaver Creek, 1974
- Folder 8: Eskippakithiki, 1927-1989
- Folder 9: Examination report of U.K. lands - Troublesome Creek, Breathitt & Knox Counties, 1923
- Folder 10: The Falmouth Dam Controversy, 1972
- Folder 11: The Filson Club History Quarterly, 1968
- Box 9
- Barcode: 31234014057002
- Folder 1: Firearms Legislation, 1975
- Folder 2: Firearms Legislation, 1976
- Folder 3: Firearms Legislation, 1977
- Folder 4: Firearms Legislation, 1978
- Box 10
- Barcode: 31234014057069
- Folder 1: Firearms Legislation, 1979-1980
- Folder 2: Firearms Legislation, 1981
- Folder 3: Anti-Firearms Legislation - Articles, clippings, 1965-1975
- Folder 4: Forest Fires in America, Great, 1971
- Folder 5: The Forest Resource Contribution Potential for the Rural Development Program in Kentucky, 1955
- Folder 6: Forestry 315 - Quiz Questions, 1974
- Folder 7: Forestry 315 - Reference Data, 1905-1973
- Folder 8: Freeman, Gene - Historical Correspondence, 1972-1973
- Box 11
- Barcode: 31234014057077
- Folder 1: The French Family of Kentucky, 1940-1984
- Folder 2: The "French Pete" Controversy (Oregon), 1972
- Folder 3: Gay, Captain James Family, Not Dated
- Folder 4: The Gist House, Not Dated
- Folder 5: The Goff House, 1747-1977
- Folder 6: Governor James Clark, Not Dated
- Folder 7: Governor James Clark, 1779-1839
- Folder 8: The "Governor James Clark" House, 1972-1987
- Folder 9: Greeley Went West By Stuart Holbrook, 1958
- Folder 10: Gun Control References, 1975
- Folder 11: Gun Laws, 1968-1983
- Folder 12: Gun Legislation, 1959-1970
- Box 12
- Barcode: 31234014057085
- Folder 1: Hedges Report - Proposed Extension December, Cumberland Purchase Unit, 1933
- Folder 2: Historical Writing - Historical Data, 1944-1977
- Folder 3: History Distribution, 1966-1977
- Folder 4: The Hubbard Taylor Family, 1976-1977
- Folder 5: Iron Furnaces in Eastern Kentucky, 1957-1970
- Folder 6: Jesse James, Not Dated
- Folder 7: Kentucky - The Name, Not Dated
- Folder 8: Kentucky Base Map Series, Not Dated
- Folder 9: Kentucky Counties - Historical Atlas, 1957-1975
- Folder 10: Kentucky - Daniel Boone Country, 1975
- Folder 11: Kentucky Forest History, 1946-1971
- Folder 12: Kentucky Forest History, 1971-1981
- Folder 13: Kentucky Forests - Reference Data, 1957
- Folder 14: Kentucky Historical Society, 1964-1976
- Box 13
- Barcode: 31234014057101
- Folder 1: Kentucky History, 1949
- Folder 2: Kentucky History Notes, 1980-1984
- Folder 3: Kentucky History Great KY Raid of June, 1864-1988
- Folder 4: KY Land Surveys Past & Present - Thomas D. Clark, 1965
- Folder 5: Kentucky Settlement - Historical Data, 1942-1975
- Folder 6: Kentucky State Forester - Report of J.E. Barton, State Forester, 1913
- Folder 7: Lincoln Correspondence, 1947-1978
- Folder 8: Line Fork Forest Controversy in Perry County, 1935-1936
- Folder 9: Logging in Early Kentucky, 1976
- Folder 10: Logging in Maine - White Pine - Information Material and Maps, 1947-1972
- Folder 11: Madison County - Historical Data, Not Dated
- Folder 12: Mangum Name History, 1955-1957
- Box 14
- Barcode: 31234014057119
- Folder 1: Maps of Kentucky, Not Dated
- Folder 2: McClure, Lt. Nathan, Death of, 1961-1967
- Folder 3: Morgan, John Hunt, 1983-1988
- Folder 4: The Moundbuilders, the History of, 1984
- Folder 5: Murder Branch Notes, Not Dated
- Folder 6: Name Change - Cumberland National Forest to Daniel Boone National Forest, 1966
- Folder 7: Name Designation Correspondence, 1930-1938
- Folder 8: National Forests - Land of Many Uses, 1971
- Folder 9: National Forests Policy Legislation, 1970
- Folder 10: Natural Bridge Area Photos, 1970
- Folder 11: Official Stationary of U.K., Not Dated
- Folder 12: Old Homes and Landmarks - Clark Co., KY, 1967
- Box 15
- Barcode: 31234014057036
- Folder 1: Old Kentucky Iron Furnaces, 1957-1972
- Folder 2: The Old Stone Church on Lower Howards Creek, 1920-1976
- Folder 3: Pinchot, Gifford - Journal of Forestry, Aug-65
- Folder 4: The Pinchot Story - Breaking New Ground, 1962-1970
- Folder 5: Pine Mountain Area - Quicksand and Troublesome Headwaters of Licking -Reports by E. Murray Bruner, 1914-1936
- Folder 6: Pre-Acquisition Correspondence, 1907
- Folder 7: Pre-Acquisition Correspondence - Frontier Nursing Service, 1933
- Folder 8: Proclamation of Governor Martin - North Carolina, 2/10/1775
- Folder 9: Proclamation of Lord Dunmore - Virginia, 3/21/1775
- Folder 10: Proclamation of Transylvania Company, 6/26/1776
- Folder 11: Proposed Kentucky Purchase Unit by W.E. Hedges, 1929
- Folder 12: The Public Domain From the Sierra Club Bulletin, 1973
- Folder 13: Public Ownership vs. Private Exploitation, 1972
- Folder 14: Publication - 14th Cavalry Regiment, 1941
- Folder 15: Publication - Lake States Forest Experiment Station, 1930
- Folder 16: Publication - Oracle, 1923
- Folder 17: Publication - Report of XIII Italian Mountain Festival, 1964
- Folder 18: Publication - The Reserve Officer, 1941
- Folder 19: Reappraisal Reports - W.E. Hedges, 1945
- Box 16
- Barcode: 31234014057028
- Folder 1: Reconnaissance Report - Headwaters - Levisa Fork of Big Sandy by E. Murray Bruner, 1914
- Folder 2: The Redbird P. Unit History Papers by Tom Frazier, 1965
- Item 1: The Birth of a District
- A History of the First Four Years of the Redbird District of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky by Thomas R. Frazier.
- Item 2: A Proposal for Housing, Relocation and Employment in Eastern Kentucky
- Tom Frazier's proposal to local development group regarding the Redbird acquisition.
- Item 3: Redbird Purchase Unit
- Item 4: Expansion of Cumberland National Forest
- Item 5: Reconnaissance Report on Eastern Kentucky with Particular Reference to 445,000 Acres of Forest Land Situated in Bell, Clay, Harlan and Leslie Counties, Kentucky, 1939
- Notes from a Tabbott and Hedges Report.
- Item 6: Rules Governing Attendance and Conduct
- For Nelson Amendment Enrollees in the Peabody District of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
- Item 7: Appropriations Correspondence, 1965
- Relating to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Item 8: News Clippings, 1965-1975
- Includes several articles about the Frontier Nursing Service, politics, history,
- Folder 3: Red River Gorge, 1966-1970
- Folder 4: Red River Gorge through, 1972
- Folder 5: Red River Gorge, 1973
- Folder 6: Red River Gorge, 1974
- Folder 7: Red River Gorge, 1975
- Folder 8: Red River Gorge Controversy - Report of Forest Policy Problem, 1967-1968
- Folder 9: Red River Resevoir - Environmental Impact Report, 1973
- Box 17
- Barcode: 31234014056996
- Folder 1: River Drainage Map - Maine, 1947-1974
- Folder 2: Robertson, Charles - Deposition of, 1777
- Folder 3: Scrapbook #1, 1964
- Folder 4: Scrapbook #2, 1964
- Folder 5: Scrapbook - Italy, 1964
- Folder 6: Chief Sequoyah, The Paternity of, 1985
- Folder 7: Sierra Club - Cumberland Chapter - Club Handbook, 1970-1974
- Box 18
- Barcode: 31234014056988
- Folder 1: The Sorrows of Nancy by Lucinda Boyd, 1899
- Folder 2: Southern Appalachian Forest Reserve by R.S. Bruce, 1907
- Folder 3: Sphar Family History, 1984
- Folder 4: Special Folder, 1936
- Folder 5: The Stearns Lumber Co., History of, 1975-1978
- Folder 6: Strip Mining - The Coffey Heirs Tract, 1957-1981
- Folder 7: Strip Mining - Robinson Forest, 1966-1976
- Folder 8: Strodes Station - Reference Material, 1974
- Folder 9: The Sublimity Project, 1933-1947
- Folder 10: The Swift Silver Mine, 1959-1980
- Folder 11: Timber Cutting Controversy - Red River Gorge, Through 1972
- Folder 12: Timber Cutting Controversy - Red River Gorge, 1973-1974
- Folder 13: Timber Cutting - Red River Gorge Area, Not Date
- Box 19
- Barcode: 31234014056970
- Folder 1: Traces and Roads - Early Kentucky, 1967
- Folder 2: The Transylvania Colony, 1935
- Folder 3: The Traveling Church, 1781
- Folder 4: Treaty of Watauga, March 17, 1775
- Folder 5: U.S. Forest Service, chiefs of the Journal of Forestry, Nov. 1961
- Folder 6: Waveland, Not Dated
- Folder 7: The Weeks Law Story, Not Dated
- Folder 8: The White Pine Logging Period, Not Dated
- Folder 9: Wildlife - McCreary County Project, 1964-1976
- Folder 10: Winchester and Clark County History, 1966
- Folder 11: Zilpo Road Controversy, 1967
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Subject],
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Series 2: Slides],
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All]
