Collections New and Newly Processed:

Tennessee Folklore Society

 Since its beginning in 1935, the Tennessee Folklore Society's papers have resided with the Editor of the TFS Bulletin.  For about thirty years, the editorship has been held by MTSU professors Dr. Charles Wolfe and Dr. Ralph Hyde before him.  With Dr. Wolfe's retirement last Spring, the TFSB papers were deposited at the Gore Center.  Along with copies of the TFSB since its first issue, the collection includes copies of Folklore Society publications from throughout the country and around the world.  The collection is impressive and with the mutual interest of Drs. Hyde and Wolfe in music the publication is weighted in that direction.  Also included are many student papers from past folklore classes at MTSU.  Although the collection is still in the preliminary processing stage, it promises to provide a rich resource for researchers in the near future.


Gilbert MacWilliams Orr Collection

The late Gilbert MacWilliams Orr of Shelbyville was for many years a leader in Tennessee Walking Horse circles.  His son and daughter-in-law, Gilly and Lois Orr, donated this collection of approximately one linear foot of  pamphlets, programs, and magazines related to equestrian history.  They also provided a copy of their book, Mule Day Remembered, which is based on the elder Orr's papers and photograph collections.

James Calvin Hollon Collection

James Calvin Hollon of Smyrna, TN, served in the 29th Infantry Division in World War II.  He participated in the D-day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  His collection, totaling approximately two linear feet,  includes memorabilia of his military service and of the 40th and 50th anniversary commemorations of D-day in 1984 and 1994.

Lane and Marguerite Boutwell Collection

The bulk of the Boutwell Collection covers the period from 1947 to 1970 and relates to Lane Boutwell’s tenure as a Professor in the English and Speech and Theatre Departments or Marguerite Boutwell’s involvement in early childhood education.  Other materials in the collection pertain to Sunday school curriculum, the Sam Davis Development Corporation’s documents related to Meadow Brook subdivision in Smyrna, and the Sam Davis Home. 

 The collection is approximately six linear feet.  The Boutwell Collection contains blueprints, notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, books, and pamphlets collected by Lane and Marge Boutwell.  The donor’s original order has been maintain as much as possible.  The collection is organized topically and arranged alphabetically in the following series: Education, Miscellaneous, Religion, Sam Davis Development Corporation, Sam Davis Home, and Theatre.   The Boutwell collection also contains scrapbooks and photographs of MTSC productions and Gill Boutwell’s 4-H activities.

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