Archives West Finding Aid

The collection contains personal and professional records of Ruth Parkhurst's career as a teacher in American Indian schools, and her work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) as well as personal and professional (mostly military) records of Austin Parkhurst, and photographs and negatives of Europe during WWI.

Personal and professional records of Ruth Parkhurst include scrapbooks, a diary, financial papers, correspondence, personal documents and teaching certificates, and employment records regarding her work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Scrapbooks, memory albums, and a diary by Ruth Parkhurst cover her "Tour of the Orient" in 1936.

Personal and professional records of Austin Parkhurst include personal papers, a WWI medal, military records and correspondence, fraternal organization documents, correspondence with the Wireless museum, and obituaries and condolence letters.

Photographs contains prints, negatives, and nitrate negatives. There a great variety of prints and postcards of Europe during WWI collected by Austin Flint Parkhurst, including a small number from his "Oriental" tour. Many of these deal with the effects of the war and show the destruction caused by the bombings on the land, structures, and people. Some prints will show dead bodies.

Other subjects include natural scenery, architecture and the Pope (of the time). Other postcards depict U. S. National Parks including Yellowstone. There is complete series detailing Timberline Lodge. Other subjects include family, friends, and Ruth Parkhurst at work in Washington, D.C., receiving awards, and at her retirement.