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Dorothy Floerchinger Papers, 1883-1991

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Floerchinger, Dorothy, 1901-1996
Title
Dorothy Floerchinger Papers
Dates
1883-1991 (inclusive)
Quantity
32.5 linear feet, including 105 volumes
Collection Number
Mss 342 (collection)
Summary
Dorothy Floerchinger was a Montana resident and amateur historian. This collection contains a manuscript written by Floerchinger, clippings and research materials on the Conrad family of Kalispell, Montana, and scrapbooks reflecting her personal interests into historic events throughout Montana and the rest of the United States.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

Dorothy Floerchinger, the daughter of Ralph and Willie Mae Bracegirdle Bruner, was born on February 22, 1901, in Scotia, Nebraska. Graduating from Valier High School in Great Falls, Montana, in 1920, Mrs. Floerchinger began a career of teaching in Pondera County Schools. Due to an acute teacher shortage following World War I, the State Superintendent of Schools issued a special permit allowing her to teach elementary school with no professional training. She married Louis Floerchinger on November 15, 1924 and raised five children on the family farm near Conrad, Montana.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Floerchinger was an avid historian. Mrs. Floerchinger published several historical pieces on Northern Montana - from the history of the City of Conrad to the history of Pondera County. She did extensive research on the Conrad family of Kalispell, who founded the city of Conrad, and was involved in the preservation of local Conrad history. She also wrote literary pieces, publishing an anthology of poems and short stories called Highway to Happiness, a biographical tribute to a Conrad minister and humanitarian called To Speak of Love Was Not Enough, and her family history, The Bruner Bunch.

Mrs. Floerchinger was active in many organizations, including the Montana Library Association, the Montana Farmer's Union, and the Montana Democratic Party. Besides an interest in history, Mrs. Floerchinger was a poet and an artist. Mrs. Floerchinger died in Choteau, Montana, on May 8, 1996.

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Content Description

This collection contains a manuscript written by Mrs. Floerchinger, clippings and research materials on the Conrad family of Kalispell, Montana, and scrapbooks reflecting Mrs. Floerchinger's personal interests into historic events throughout Montana and the rest of the United States. Particular subjects include the history of the Marias River Valley; the history of Conrad, Montana; the Whoop-Up Trail; and Montana organizations, including the Montana Democratic Party, the Montana Farmers Union, and the Montana Library Association.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], Dorothy Floerchinger Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is divided into three series:

Series I: Manuscript, 1 folder, 1977

Series II: Conrad Family Research, 3 folders, 1883-1978

Series III: Scrapbooks, 105 volumes, 1940-1991

Custodial History

All materials in this collection were collected and retained by Dorothy Floerchinger until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gifts of Dorothy Floerchinger, 1973, 1978, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, and 1991

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. As materials in this collection were received they were arranged into three separate entities. In 2001, the three entities were combined into one collection and re-described. Materials from SC 177 became Series I, SC 370 became Series II, and Scrapbook Collection 23 became Series III.

Separated Materials

A ledger book from Clinton, Virginia, 1882-1883; an indenture from Cumberland County, Virginia, 1828; and a Confederate flag were removed during processing and de-accessioned.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Arts--Montana
  • Education--Montana
  • Persian Gulf War, 1991

Personal Names

  • Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926--Correspondence

Corporate Names

  • Democratic Party (Mont.)
  • Montana Farmers Union
  • Montana Library Association

Family Names

  • Conrad family

Geographical Names

  • Conrad (Mont.)--History
  • Marias River Valley (Mont.)--History
  • Montana--Centennial celebrations, etc.
  • Montana--History
  • Whoop-Up Trail

Form or Genre Terms

  • Scrapbooks--Montana

Occupations

  • Women authors, American--Montana
  • Women historians--Montana

Finding aid prepared by Megan Morris
2001

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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