Robert S. Kerr Collection
Collection
Identifier: CAC-CC-031
The Kerr Collection mainly consists of materials generated during the Senate years. However, there are several cubic feet of documents that relate to his years as Oklahoma's governor. Because of Kerr's devotion to conservation work, there is a significant amount of documentation on both Oklahoma and non-Oklahoma projects. As with so many of Oklahoma's lawmakers, there is a large amount of material regarding agriculture and Native Americans. Finally one of the most valuable parts of the collection concerns the senator's speeches. Often considered one of the finest orators that Oklahoma ever produced or that the Senate ever heard, Kerr gave the keynote address at the 1944 Democratic National Convention that nearly won him the second slot on Franklin D. Roosevelt's ticket.
The Kerr Collection consists of over 368 linear feet of materials, the majority of which includes materials generated during his years in the Senate, though the Gubernatorial series does relate to his years as Oklahoma’s governor.
As a Senator, Kerr was involved in a variety of issues and reforms of national and state prominence including conservation projects, the development of the space program, Native Americans issues and concerns, healthcare insurance reform, and agriculture. In addition to the materials related to these topics, the Photographs, Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia, and Speeches series are of particular note. With nearly 3,000 photographs, the Kerr Photographs series contains wonderful images of the Senator, Oklahoma, conservation projects across the nation, and the early years of the space program. Kerr also collected a variety of model rockets preserved in the Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia series.
One of the most valuable parts of the collection includes Kerr’s work on infastructure projects. Responsible for massive federal investment in projects throughout Oklahoma, Kerr's office retained a wide variety of materials related to many of these projects, including: correspondence, maps, and photographic documentation of progress on many of these endeavours.
As a Senator, Kerr was involved in a variety of issues and reforms of national and state prominence including conservation projects, the development of the space program, Native Americans issues and concerns, healthcare insurance reform, and agriculture. In addition to the materials related to these topics, the Photographs, Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia, and Speeches series are of particular note. With nearly 3,000 photographs, the Kerr Photographs series contains wonderful images of the Senator, Oklahoma, conservation projects across the nation, and the early years of the space program. Kerr also collected a variety of model rockets preserved in the Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia series.
One of the most valuable parts of the collection includes Kerr’s work on infastructure projects. Responsible for massive federal investment in projects throughout Oklahoma, Kerr's office retained a wide variety of materials related to many of these projects, including: correspondence, maps, and photographic documentation of progress on many of these endeavours.
Dates
- 1871-1970
- Majority of material found in 1931-1962
Creator
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access:
Certain series of this collection are stored off-site and require prior notice to access. If you wish to view these materials, please contact the Congressional Archives staff to arrange an appointment.
The following series are stored off-site: Clippings and Invitations.
The following series are stored off-site: Clippings and Invitations.
Conditions Governing Use:
The University of Oklahoma asserts no claim of copyright over photographs in this collection taken by private citizens. Any publication of such photographs requires the consent of the copyright holder.
Extent
368.29 Linear Feet (296 containers)
Biographical Information:
Robert S. Kerr was born on September 11, 1896 in Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, near what would become the town of Ada. He atteneded East Central Normal School and later, for a time, the University of Oklahoma, where he studied law until poverty forced him to abandon his studies. With the onset of U.S. involvement in World War I he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, but never saw combat. He would later pass the bar in Oklahoma after studying under a local judge in Ada.
Kerr first held elective office when he became Oklahoma's governor in 1942. A year after leaving the governor's office, he was successful in his first attempt at the U.S. Senate in 1948. After a failed attempt to secure the 1952 Democratic presidential nomination, Kerr devoted his energies to building his Senate career. He served on several key committees, most notably the Finance and Public Works committees. He also forged alliances to key senators, such as Lyndon B. Johnson. Via his position in the Senate, he would go on to advocate key domestic programs, including NASA.
A founder of Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Kerr also became known as a key champion of southwestern oil and gas interests. Through his efforts, millions of dollars were diverted to military and civilian projects in the state. Also, a series of water projects, dams, and an entire navigation system that links the Arkansas River to the oceans of the world are part of Kerr's legacy.
Kerr died unexpectedly, while still in office, on January 1, 1963.
Kerr first held elective office when he became Oklahoma's governor in 1942. A year after leaving the governor's office, he was successful in his first attempt at the U.S. Senate in 1948. After a failed attempt to secure the 1952 Democratic presidential nomination, Kerr devoted his energies to building his Senate career. He served on several key committees, most notably the Finance and Public Works committees. He also forged alliances to key senators, such as Lyndon B. Johnson. Via his position in the Senate, he would go on to advocate key domestic programs, including NASA.
A founder of Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Kerr also became known as a key champion of southwestern oil and gas interests. Through his efforts, millions of dollars were diverted to military and civilian projects in the state. Also, a series of water projects, dams, and an entire navigation system that links the Arkansas River to the oceans of the world are part of Kerr's legacy.
Kerr died unexpectedly, while still in office, on January 1, 1963.
Arrangement of Materials:
The Kerr Collection is arranged in 16 thematic series: Gubernatorial, Conservation, Departmental, Legislative, Political and Campaign, Topical, Speeches, Invitations, Clippings, Printed Material, Correspondence, Addition, Oversize, Maps, Photographs, and Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia. The Gubernatorial series is arranged into 10 sections based on material type and overarching topic. The Personal Correspondence section is arranged alphabetically then chronologically by year. The Topical section is arranged alphabetically by topic. The Organizations section is arranged alphabetically by organization name. The State Agencies section is arranged alphabetically by state agency name. The United States Government section is arranged alphabetically by topic and entity. The John Cauthers Files, Ben Dwight's Files, and Democratic Party sections are each arranged alphabetically by topic. The Miscellaneous section is arranged alphabetically by material type and topic. The section on Weekly Newsletters is at the end of the series. The Conservation series is arranged by alphabetically by project then chronologically by year. Miscellaneous materials were sorted to the end of their project section and arranged chronologically by year. Materials for Kerr's book "Land, Wood and Water" was sorted to the end of the series and arranged alphabetically by folder titles and chronologically by year. The Legislative series was initially arranged alphabetically by topic then chronologically by year followed by alphabetically folder title. The Political and Campaign series is grouped into12 subseries, arranged chronologically and by campaign as well as by type of correspondence. The Senate Campaign of 1948 subseries is arranged alphabetically then chronologically. Campaign Correspondence, by County subseries is arranged alphabetically by county followed by materials arranged alphabetically by material type. Presidential Campaign of 1952 subseries is arranged into four sections. Topical materials section is arranged alphabetically by topic and surname. The Correspondence with Oklahoma Supporters section is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. The Out of State Correspondence section is arranged alphabetically by state then alphabetically correspondent. The colleague materials are arranged alphabetically by folder title. Senate Campaign of 1954 subseries is arranged into 3 sections with the first section consisting of topical materials arranged alphabetically by topic followed by the section consisting of supportive correspondence. The last section is Democratic National Committee and colleague materials that are arranged chronologically then alphabetically. Senate Campaign of 1960 subseries is arranged chronologically by year then alphabetically by folder title. Political Constituent and Non-constituent Correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically by year then alphabetically by correspondent. Miscellaneous Colleague Correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically by year then alphabetically by correspondent. Business Correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically by year. Business Correspondence, Personal subseries is arranged chronologically by year. Personal Correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically by year. Family Correspondence subseries is arranged chronologically by year followed by biographical materials. Public Relations subseries is arranged alphabetically by folder title then chronologically by year. The Departmental series is arranged by department alphabetically then chronologically by year within each department. Lastly arranged alphabetically by folder title within each year. The Topical series is arranged by topic alphabetically then chronologically by year within each topical division. Lastly arranged alphabetically by folder title within each year. The Speeches series is arranged chronologically by year, month, and day then alphabetically by folder title within each year. The Printed Material series is arranged alphabetically by topic then chronologically by year. The Correspondence series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent surname or organization then chronologically by year. The Addition series is grouped into nine subseries. The Conservation subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Speeches subseries is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by year. The Speeches by Others subseries is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by year. The Campaign subseries is arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by year. The Office subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Kerr-McGee subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Business subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Personal subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Correspondence subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Invitations series is arranged chronologically by year and month. The Clippings series is arranged alphabetically by topic then chronologically by year. The Oversize series is grouped into four subseries. The Scrapbook series is arranged chronologically by year and then month. The Newspapers subseries is arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. The Roll Call Votes series is arranged by Congress and then chronologically. The Ephemera and all other oversize materials contain no discernible arrangement. Some of the materials in the Maps series are grouped by map content and project. Many photographs are grouped by content or event.
The Kerr Collection is arranged into 16 series:
1. Gubernatorial
2. Conservation
3. Legislative
4. Political and Campaign
5. Departmental
6. Topical
7. Speeches
8. Printed Materials
9. Correspondence
10. Addition
11. Invitations
12. Clippings
13. Oversize
14. Maps
15. Photographs
16. Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia.
The materials within each series are largely organized alphabetically by topic or organization and then chronologically, though some of the subseries may be arranged differently. The specific details for the arrangement of many of the subseries are unclear.
1. Gubernatorial
2. Conservation
3. Legislative
4. Political and Campaign
5. Departmental
6. Topical
7. Speeches
8. Printed Materials
9. Correspondence
10. Addition
11. Invitations
12. Clippings
13. Oversize
14. Maps
15. Photographs
16. Space and Aeronautics Memorabilia.
The materials within each series are largely organized alphabetically by topic or organization and then chronologically, though some of the subseries may be arranged differently. The specific details for the arrangement of many of the subseries are unclear.
Accruals:
Accruals and additions: January 19, 1957; February 1957; 1957-1958; September 19, 1977; March 1979; April 3, 1981; November 15, 1981; November 16, 1981; December 1981; March 4, 1982.
- Agriculture and state--United States
- Astronautics and state--United States
- Conservation of natural resources--Law and legislation--United States
- Democratic National Committee (U.S.)
- Education and state--United States
- Electric utilities--Government policy--United States
- Highway planning--United States
- Indians of North America--Government relations
- Indians of North America--Land tenure--United States
- Indians of North America--Social life and customs
- Indians of North America--Taxation--Law and legislation
- Land use--Law and legislation--United States
- Petroleum industry and trade--Government policy--United States
- Political conventions--United States
- Poll tax--United States
- Public works--Finance--Law and legislation--United States
- Public works--Oklahoma
- Sales tax--Law and legislation--United States--States
- Tax exemption--Law and legislation--United States
- Taxation--Law and legislation--United States
- United States--Armed Forces
- United States--Commerce
- United States. Veterans Administration
- Veterans--Legal status, laws, etc. --United States
- Water resources development--Law and legislation--United States
- Water--Law and legislation--United States
- Title
- Guide to the Robert S. Kerr Collection
- Author
- Finding Aid Authors: Heather M. Bateman.
- Language of description
- The collection description/finding aid is written in English
- TypeCollection
Repository Details
Part of the Carl Albert Center Congressional and Political Collections Repository