Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Norman Bright Papers, 1927-2008
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Bright, Norman, -- 1910-1996
- Title
- Norman Bright Papers
- Dates
- 1927-2008 (inclusive)19272008
- Quantity
- 5 linear ft., (14 boxes)
- Collection Number
- XOE_SC0009BrightN
- Summary
- The Norman Bright Papers document the life of a teacher, runner, mountain climber, and cold weather survival expert. This collection primarily consists of Norman’s personal diaries and logbooks, but it also includes newspaper clippings, correspondence, books, notes, photos, scrapbooks, and trophies.
- Repository
-
Western Washington University, Special Collections
Wilson Library 6th Floor
516 High Street MS9103
Bellingham WA
98225-9123
Telephone: (360) 650-3193
Fax: (360) 650-3044
speccoll@wwu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Norman Bright was born in Washington State in 1910. After graduating from Chehalis High School, he studied at the Bellingham Normal School from 1928 to 1931, receiving his Elementary and Junior High teaching credentials. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Education from Stanford in 1936, and a Master’s in Education from Miami University in 1960. While earning his degrees, Bright taught at variety of schools throughout Washington and California, including the Baugh School at Riffe Washington, Pearson School in Kitsap County, and Greenhill Academy in Chehalis.
Although Bright loved teaching, it was not his only passion. While studying at the Bellingham Normal School, he joined the track team and discovered he was a talented runner. Because of his abilities, Bright was selected for the 1936 Olympic trials in New York. During the trials, he shared a room with Louis Zamperini, and because of their relationship Bright was mentioned in the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Unfortunately, during the trials he sustained foot injuries that slowed his time and caused him to finish fifth in the final qualifying race. Although devastated by his loss, Norman quickly resumed competitive running.
In addition to running countless marathons and races, Bright was also an avid mountaineer and a survival equipment expert. He embarked on many expeditions to Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and the Antarctic from the 1930s to the 1950s in order to assist with scientific research and to test out cold weather survival gear. He also traveled throughout Europe, America, and Canada to improve his mountaineering skills, scaling peaks in the Alps, the Rockies, the Cascades, and the Olympic Mountains. Because of his expertise, Bright served in the Mountain Rescue division of the army during World War II.
In the early 1960s, Bright moved back to Seattle from Ohio, where he began working as a school psychologist. One day in the late-1970s while out for a run, Bright was struck by a car and hospitalized with severe injuries to his leg, shoulder, and head. Soon after his accident, his eyesight began to deteriorate due to his head injury. However, even after he started losing his eyesight Bright continued to run marathons with the help of running guides who would lead him with a piece of rope and verbal directions.
Norman Bright passed away in 1996.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Personal Writings (circa 1927-1993) are comprised of collected diaries, logbooks, notes, and reflections written by Norman Bright throughout his personal and professional life. He typically separated the different facets of his life into specific volumes, so there are volumes that record his daily personal activities and separate ones that record his outdoor adventures. The items that Norman called diaries are regularly written accounts of his emotional wellbeing, his interactions with his family and friends, his work, his training regimen, his regular movements, and any particularly memorable thoughts. These diaries may occasionally contain information regarding Norman’s interests in running, hiking, and mountain climbing, but these activities were typically recorded separately in items he called logbooks. There are specific logbooks for camping, hiking, and expeditions. Records of Norman’s frequent mountain climbing excursions can sometimes be found within the hiking logs or the expedition logs.
Correspondence (1968-1977) consists of bound volumes of letters created by Bright and addressed to various friends and acquaintances. The letters discuss a variety of subjects, including Norman’s personal life and his athletic endeavors. These may be rough drafts or copies of finished letters.
Biographical Materials (circa 1960-2008) include detailed timelines regarding Bright’s expeditions, education, jobs, assignments, mountaineering activities, supply and survival events, military training, research, commendations, and certifications. Series also includes photos, a doctor’s note about Bright’s blindness, newspaper and magazine articles collected by Georgie Bright Kunkel, and several pages of biographical information called “The Story of Me”.
Mountain Climbing and Expeditions materials (1938-1955) consist of records related to Bright’s interest in mountaineering and exploration. Includes newspaper clippings, itineraries, notes on mountain climbing and hiking, photos, reports regarding arctic conditions, and a scrapbook with newspaper clippings and photos regarding several of Norman’s arctic adventures.
Running materials (1931-2000) document Bright’s long history as a runner. Includes pamphlets and flyers, race and marathon results, running bib numbers, running certificates of completion, packets detailing information about specific marathons, photos, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook, trophies, plaques, and a Pacific Northwest marathon running guide.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
Norman Bright Papers, Special Collections, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The Norman Bright Papers are organized according to the following series arrangement:
- Series I. Personal Writings, circa
1927-1993
- Sub-series 1: Diaries 1927-1993
- Sub-series 2: Logbooks circa 1932-1967
- Sub-series 3: Notes 1938-1955
- Series II. Correspondence, 1968-1977
- Series III. Biographical Materials, circa 1960-2008
- Series IV. Mountain Climbing and Expeditions, 1938-1955
- Series V. Running, 1931-2000
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Georgie Bright Kunkel in 2008.
Processing Note
Wherever possible, original order was maintained during the processing of this collection. The majority of diaries were in sequential order by date, so the few that were out of order were rearranged to match this chronology. The books of draft correspondence were also rearranged so that they would reflect their original chronological order. Packets of papers that were placed together in envelopes have been re-foldered, but remain together in the same order. Loose papers without any apparent structure were kept in the same order if possible, but if no discernable original order could be discovered, order was imposed by the archivist. Some documents in this collection have likely been added by Norman’s sister Georgie Bright Kunkel after his death, but they have been left as part of the collection since they are connected to Norman’s accomplishments and activities.
Processing Note
About Harmful Language and ContentTo learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see our Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Series I : Personal Writings , circa 1927-1993 Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Diaries |
circa 1927-1993 | |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | Diaries |
1927 March 18-1935 September 28 |
| 1/2 | Diaries |
1936 February 17-1936 December 24 |
| 1/3 | Diary and date book |
1936 January 22-1936 December 31 |
| 1/4 | Diary and date book |
1937 January 1-1937 December 23 |
| 1/5 | Diaries |
1937 January 1-1937 December 23 |
| 2/1 | Diaries |
1956 July 1-1956 July 4 |
| 2/2 | Diaries |
1939 January 31-1939 May 21 |
| 2/3 | Diaries |
1968 June 22-1969 January 11 |
| 2/4 | Diaries |
1940 January 15-1945 December 31 |
| 2/5 | Diaries |
1956 April 4-1956 June 28 |
| 3/1 | Diaries |
1956 July 1-1956 July 4 |
| 3/2 | Diaries |
1965 November 2-1967 November 1 |
| 3/3 | Diaries |
1968 June 22-1969 January 11 |
| 3/4 | Diaries |
1969 January 11-1969 July 19 |
| 4/1 | Diaries |
1969 July 19-1970 January 9 |
| 4/2 | Diaries |
1970 January 12-1970 July 12 |
| 4/3 | Diaries |
1970 July 13-1970 September 20 |
| 4/4 | Diaries |
1970 September 21-1971 February 2 |
| 4/5 | Diaries |
1970 November 11-1971 July 10 |
| 5/1 | Diaries |
1971 August 9-1971 October 6 |
| 5/2 | Diaries |
1971 October 7-1972 June 3 |
| 5/3 | Diaries |
1972 June 4-1972 July 6 |
| 5/4 | Diaries |
1972 January 22-1972 May 12 |
| 5/5 | Diaries |
1972 July 9-1972 October 17 |
| 5/6 | Diaries |
1972 October 17-1973 January 10 |
| 5/7 | Diaries |
1973 January 1-1973 April 14 |
| 5/8 | Diaries |
1973 April 19-1973 August 3 |
| 5/9 | Diaries |
1973 August 4-1973 October 22 |
| 6/1 | Diaries |
1973 November 18-1974 February 9 |
| 6/2 | Diaries |
February 2-1974 March 4 |
| 6/3 | Diaries |
1974 November 20-1974 December 16 |
| 6/4 | Diaries |
1974 March 5-1974 April 30 |
| 6/5 | Diaries |
1974 April 24-1974 July 20 |
| 6/6 | Diaries |
1974 October 8-1974 November 20 |
| 6/7 | Diaries |
1974 December 20-1975 May 15 |
| 6/8 | Diaries |
1975 May 19-1975 July 29 |
| 6/9 | Diaries |
1975 August 15-1976 January 24 |
| 7/1 | Diaries |
1976 January 25-1976 April 23 |
| 7/2 | Diaries |
1976 April 23-1976 July 13 |
| 7/3 | Diaries |
1976 July 14-1976 October 15 |
| 7/4 | Diaries |
1976 October 15-1977 February 20 |
| 7/5 | Diaries |
1977 February 20-1977 June 2 |
| 8/1 | Diaries |
1977 July 24-1977 October 1 |
| 8/2 | Diaries |
1977 October 13-1977 December 13 |
| 8/3 | Diaries and address book |
1987 December 12-16 |
| 8/4 | Diaries |
circa 1992-1993 |
| 8/5 | Training and exercise diaries |
1941 March 26-1987 March 15 |
| 8/6 | Work diaries |
1951 March 28-1951 December 1 |
Logbooks |
circa 1932-1967 | |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 8/7 | Camping logbooks |
1932-1933 |
| 8/8 | Expedition and hiking logs |
circa 1937 |
| 8/9 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1938-1940 |
| 8/10 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1942-1951 |
| 9/1 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1951 |
| 9/2 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1955-1956 |
| 9/3 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1956 January-1956 April 3 |
| 9/4 | Expedition and hiking logs |
1967 August 19-1967 October 17 |
| 9/5 | Expedition and hiking logs |
undated |
Notes |
circa 1933-1955 | |
| Box/Folder | ||
| 9/6 | Notes - short stories and articles |
1938 |
| 9/7 | Notes - finances and personal
reflections |
circa 1955 |
Series II : Correspondence , 1968-1977 Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 10/1 | Copies of letters |
1968 July 9-1971 November 17 |
| 10/2 | Copies of letters |
1971 December 16-1972 July 5 |
| 10/3 | Copies of letters |
1973 January 15-1973 October 29 |
| 10/4 | Copies of letters |
1974 April 17-1977 October 18 |
Series III : Biographical Materials , circa 1960-2008 Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 11/1 | Biographical portfolio – part 1 |
circa 1960 |
| 11/2 | Biographical portfolio – part 2 |
circa 1960 |
| 11/3 | Norman Bright – The Story of Me |
undated |
| 11/4 | Norman Bright – Blindness |
1986 |
| 11/5 | Newspaper and magazine articles about Norman
Bright |
1973-2008 |
Series IV : Mountain Climbing and Expeditions , 1938-1955 Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 11/6 | Mountain climbing and expedition records |
1938-1955 |
| oversize-box | ||
| OV1/1 | Expedition scrapbook |
1954-1955 |
Series V : Running , 1931-2000 Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 12/1 | Marathons, races, and runs |
1936-1974 |
| 12/2 | Marathons, races, and runs |
1975-1981 |
| 12/3 | The Norman Bright Road Run |
1978-1981 |
| 12/4 | Marathon programs and packets |
1971-1986 |
| 12/5 | Running Around Puget Sound |
1978 |
| oversize-box | ||
| OV1/2 | Running scrapbook |
1931-1944 |
| OV1/3 | Norman Bright Road Run poster |
1978 |
| OV2/1 | Dipsea Race first place trophy |
1970 |
| OV2/2 | Track-and-field trophy for the "Milano 25 Agosto
XIII" |
1935 |
| OV2/3 | Amateur Athletic Union Certificate of Selection: Men's
Track and Field Team |
1945 |
| OV2/4 | Amateur Athletic Union American Record Certificate for
setting a new Outdoor Track and Field record |
1935 |
| OV2/5 | USA Track and Field Masters Hall of Fame
plaque |
2000 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Athletes -- Washington (State) -- History -- Sources.
- Scientific expeditions -- Antarctica -- 20th century -- History -- Sources.
- Scientific expeditions -- Arctic regions -- 20th century -- History -- Sources.
- Scrapbooks -- Washington (State)
- Teachers -- Washington (State) -- History -- Sources.
Personal Names
- Bright, Norman, -- 1910-1996 -- Archives
Form or Genre Terms
- Diaries.
- Personal correspondence.
Finding aid prepared by Emily Booth.
2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
