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Dewey F. Bartlett Collection

 Collection
Identifier: CAC-CC-003
The Dewey F. Bartlett Collection occupies 68 cubic feet of documents, and the overwhelming majority of these relate to Bartlett's successful 1972 bid to become a U.S. senator and his tenure in that office (1973-1978). The Legislative Files and Subject Files consist of a wealth of information of special interest to Senator Bartlett. A smaller number of documents exist from his years as Oklahoma state legislator and governor as well as from his earlier life.
The Bartlett Collection contains 68 linear feet in addition to oversize materials, maps, and nearly 2,000 photographs. The majority of the documents relate to Bartlett’s successful bid in 1972 to become a U.S. Senator and his tenure in that office (1973-1978). They include constituent correspondence, memos, background research, bills, and other legislative-based documents. A smaller number of documents relate to Bartlett’s service at the state level, including his time as governor. Of particular note is the Diaries series which contains a selection of Bartlett’s journals from his time in office, including his impressions and experiences during Watergate.

Dates

  • 1919-1978
  • Majority of material found in 1963-1978

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 Books.

Bartlett, Legislative Series, Box 14 is stored off-site. These materials are currently closed to researchers.

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

105.83 Linear Feet (98 containers)

Biographical Information:

Dewey Follett Bartlett was born on March 28, 1919, in Marietta, Ohio. His father, David A. Bartlett, was a banker and investor who held oil properties in Oklahoma, including the Keener Oil and Gas Company. Dewey Bartlett attended the public grade schools of Marietta and graduated from Lawrenceville Preparatory School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor of science degree in geological engineering from Princeton University in 1942 and received a commission as a Marine Corps pilot during World War II.

After the war, Bartlett joined his older brother David in Tulsa, where they managed Keener Oil. His political career began in 1962 with election to the Oklahoma state senate. In 1966, he defeated John N. Happy Camp in the primary to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and he bested Preston J. Moore in the general election to succeed Henry Bellmon as Oklahoma's second Republican governor.

The first state governor constitutionally eligible for a second consecutive term, Bartlett lost his reelection bid in one of the closest elections in state history to Democrat David Hall in 1970. Two years later, however, he benefitted from Richard Nixon's great popularity in Oklahoma to defeat Congressman Ed Edmondson in a race for a United States Senate seat. In Congress, he was one of the most conservative members on many issues. He also was a dependable champion of oil and gas interests during the energy-short 1970s.

After a year's treatment for lung cancer, Bartlett announced in January 1978 that he would not be a candidate for reelection. He died on March 1, 1979, and was buried in Tulsa's Calvary Cemetery.

Arrangement of Materials:

The collection is arranged into 15 series. The Legislative series is divided into four subseries: General Legislative, Background Information, Legislative Correspondence, and Microfilm. The General Legislative subseries is arranged by session of Congress and then by topic. The Legislative Correspondence subseries is arranged alphabetically by the correspondents' names.   The Subject series is arranged alphabetically by subject.  The Speeches and Press Releases series is grouped into two subseries. The Speeches subseries is arranged first by year and then by topic. The Press releases are arranged chronologically.  The Campaign series is arranged alphabetically by county and files of correspondence and reference material arranged alphabetically by topic.  The Administrative series is arranged alphabetically by topic.  The District Office are grouped into three series: Tulsa, Muskogee, and Enid Office Files. All three groups are arranged alphabetically by topic and county.   The Clippings series is arranged alphabetically by topic. The Diaries series is arranged chronologically.
The Bartlett Collection is arranged into 15 series: Legislative, Subject, Office Staff, Speeches and Press Releases, Campaign, Gubernatorial and Personal, Administrative, District Office, Clippings, Books, Diaries, Oversize, Maps, Photographs, and Audio-Visual. With the except of the Campaign, Administrative, District Office, and Clippings series which are organized alphabetically, the majority of the Bartlett collection, including the handful of subseries, is organized chronologically.

Preservica Internal URL

Preservica Public URL Preservica Access

Accruals:

Accruals and additions: August 20, 1979; January 27, 2000 (ID: 2000-01).
Title
Guide to the Dewey F. Bartlett 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

Contact:
630 Parrington Oval
Room 202B
Norman Oklahoma 73109 United States