The James L. Forsythe Papers consist of the papers of James L. Forsythe, who taught history at Fort Hays Kansas State College from 1968 to 1999 and who served as chair of the Department of History at Fort Hays State University from 1975 to 1981. Dr. Forsythe also served as president of the Kansas State Historical Society from 1982 to 1983. The materials date between 1867 and 2002.

The bulk of materials consist of research notes and manuscript drafts for Dr. Forsythe’s first book on the history of Fort Hays State University. Specific areas of emphasis include prominent individuals, population groups, landmarks, buildings, and events in the history of the institution. Local history materials include primary and secondary sources documenting the settlement and activities around Hays and Ellis County, the establishment and activities of nearby military installations at Fort Harker, Fort Hays, and Fort Wallace, and the Indigenous people and Tribal reservations of Kansas.

Additional materials include Dr. Forsythe’s personal papers from his term as president of the Kansas State Historical Society, a curriculum vitae, copies of 1885 census records, copies of photographs from regional libraries, including photographs of Volga Germans from the Kansas Collection at the University of Kansas Libraries, and audiocassette recordings of interviews, speeches, and chronicles on Kansas history and Black women’s history.