James L. Forsythe Papers
Collection
Identifier: FC 005
The James L. Forsythe Collection consists primarily of research materials from multiple sources compiled by Dr. Forsythe over his career. Most materials relate to the history of Fort Hays State University, and the surrounding areas. Specific areas of emphasis include prominent individuals, population groups, landmarks, buildings, and events. In 1977 Dr. James L. Forsythe published the book "The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University,1902-1977". In 2002, Forsythe published an updated edition of this history titled "Lighthouse on the Plains: Fort Hays State University, 1902-2002.
Research materials include documents related to the history of Fort Hays State University, focusing on buildings, faculty, real estate, departmental reports, and materials related to athletics. Local history materials document the settlement and activities around Hays, Ellis County, military installations, and native American peoples of the area. The history of United States military installations such as Fort Harker, Fort Hays, and Fort Wallace are relevant to understanding the circumstances leading to the establishment of the University and Experiment Station.
An addition to this collection contains copies of materials from other repositories. Those materials such as black and white photographs, and audio cassette recordings of interviews, speeches, and chronicles are copyrighted materials. Researchers wanting to copy or publish any of these materials must obtain copyright permission from the copyright holder(s).
Source repositories for these materials include:
Denver Public Library, Western History Department, Denver, Colorado.
Finney County [Kansas] Historical Society, Garden City, Kansas.
History Colorado, Denver, Colorado.
Joseph J. Pennell Collection, Kansas Collection, University of Kansas Libraries, Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas Collection, University of Kansas Libraries, Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
Wichita State University Special Collections, Wichita, Kansas.
Research materials include documents related to the history of Fort Hays State University, focusing on buildings, faculty, real estate, departmental reports, and materials related to athletics. Local history materials document the settlement and activities around Hays, Ellis County, military installations, and native American peoples of the area. The history of United States military installations such as Fort Harker, Fort Hays, and Fort Wallace are relevant to understanding the circumstances leading to the establishment of the University and Experiment Station.
An addition to this collection contains copies of materials from other repositories. Those materials such as black and white photographs, and audio cassette recordings of interviews, speeches, and chronicles are copyrighted materials. Researchers wanting to copy or publish any of these materials must obtain copyright permission from the copyright holder(s).
Source repositories for these materials include:
Denver Public Library, Western History Department, Denver, Colorado.
Finney County [Kansas] Historical Society, Garden City, Kansas.
History Colorado, Denver, Colorado.
Joseph J. Pennell Collection, Kansas Collection, University of Kansas Libraries, Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas Collection, University of Kansas Libraries, Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
Wichita State University Special Collections, Wichita, Kansas.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1867-2002
Creator
- Forsythe (James L.), 1934-2011 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Items cannot be removed from the University Archives. Please ask for the assistance of the Archivist when handling these items.
Conditions Governing Use
Written permission must be obtained from the Fort Hays State University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Extent
4 Linear Feet
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Abstract
The James L. Forsythe Papers consists of materials created and collected by Dr. James L. Forsythe, noted Kansas historian, professor and chair of the History Department at Fort Hays State University. It also includes research notes and manuscript drafts for Dr. Forsythe’s book entitled The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. James L. Forsythe was born December 18, 1934 in Bransford, Texas. He married Sherrill Kay Zartman on August 10, 1956. They had three sons, James L. Forsythe, Jr., Garen David Forsythe, and Dana Sean Forsythe. Dr. Forsythe passed away on December 16, 2011.
Dr. Forsythe received a Bachelor of Science Degree in History in 1960 and his Master's Degree in History with a minor in Economics in 1962. Both degrees were from North Texas State University. In 1971, he received his Ph.D. in History with a minor in Economics from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Forsythe began his work at FHSU in 1963 as an Assistant Professor of History. In 1968, he became an Associate Professor and in 1971, a Professor. From 1975 to 1981 he served as Chair of the Department of History. He became the Dean of the Graduate School in 1981 and added the position of Vice Provost of Academic Affairs in 1993. He retired December 10, 1999.
In 1977, Dr. Forsythe wrote The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University. In 2002, Dr. Forsythe published his second historical book about Fort Hays State University entitled Lighthouse on the plains: Fort Hays State University, 1902-2002.
Dr. Forsythe received a Bachelor of Science Degree in History in 1960 and his Master's Degree in History with a minor in Economics in 1962. Both degrees were from North Texas State University. In 1971, he received his Ph.D. in History with a minor in Economics from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Forsythe began his work at FHSU in 1963 as an Assistant Professor of History. In 1968, he became an Associate Professor and in 1971, a Professor. From 1975 to 1981 he served as Chair of the Department of History. He became the Dean of the Graduate School in 1981 and added the position of Vice Provost of Academic Affairs in 1993. He retired December 10, 1999.
In 1977, Dr. Forsythe wrote The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University. In 2002, Dr. Forsythe published his second historical book about Fort Hays State University entitled Lighthouse on the plains: Fort Hays State University, 1902-2002.
Arrangement
The James L. Forsythe Papers are organized into eight series.
Series I consists of various Fort Hays State University departmental reports from 1976-2002.
Series II documents Forsythe’s study of the Athletic Department’s history such as women’s and men’s basketball records, history of basketball coaches, and the Tiger mascot.
Series III contains research materials for Dr. Forsythe’s books, The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University.
Series IV documents the history of Fort Hays State University. The history of each campus building is recorded along with the history of the campus land, the campus landmarks, and the campus faculty.
Series V contains a history of the state of Kansas including information on Ellis County, Kansas; Hays, Kansas; Forts Harker and Wallace; Indian reservations; and military Fort Hays, Kansas.
Series VI contains a history of Fort Hays State University with such information as newspaper articles about the school from 1902-1969, campus departments and buildings, and Federal land acquisitions.
Series VII contains manuscript drafts on Dr. Forsythe’s book, The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University.
Series VIII contains papers, audio recordings, and photographs collected or created by Dr. James L. Forsythe. These materials were previously in a separate collection. These materials were merged into this collection in August 2023.
Series I consists of various Fort Hays State University departmental reports from 1976-2002.
Series II documents Forsythe’s study of the Athletic Department’s history such as women’s and men’s basketball records, history of basketball coaches, and the Tiger mascot.
Series III contains research materials for Dr. Forsythe’s books, The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University.
Series IV documents the history of Fort Hays State University. The history of each campus building is recorded along with the history of the campus land, the campus landmarks, and the campus faculty.
Series V contains a history of the state of Kansas including information on Ellis County, Kansas; Hays, Kansas; Forts Harker and Wallace; Indian reservations; and military Fort Hays, Kansas.
Series VI contains a history of Fort Hays State University with such information as newspaper articles about the school from 1902-1969, campus departments and buildings, and Federal land acquisitions.
Series VII contains manuscript drafts on Dr. Forsythe’s book, The first 75 years: A History of Fort Hays State University.
Series VIII contains papers, audio recordings, and photographs collected or created by Dr. James L. Forsythe. These materials were previously in a separate collection. These materials were merged into this collection in August 2023.
Processing Information
Materials removed from filing cabinet to cubic foot boxes, 2023-04.
Creator
- Forsythe (James L.), 1934-2011 (Person)
- Author
- Original written by Sharon Severson, 2016. Revised by David Obermayer, 2018. Updated by Samantha L. Harper, 2023-08.
- Date
- 2016; 2018; 2023
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- English
Revision Statements
- 2023-08-24: Two Forsythe collections merged. Box and Folder numbers updated. Older numbers recorded in Processing Note fields.
Repository Details
Part of the Fort Hays State University Archives Repository
Contact:
University Archives
Forsyth Library
502 South Campus Drive
Hays KS 67601 United States
forsythsc@fhsu.edu
University Archives
Forsyth Library
502 South Campus Drive
Hays KS 67601 United States
forsythsc@fhsu.edu