Paul Chrisler Phillips papers, 1784-1982

This series contains two folders. The first folder holds biographical information about Phillips including a hand-sketched family tree, a 16-page biographical narrative, a copy of his staff record following the 1952-1953 academic year, and a tribute written by Merrill G. Burlingame, published by Arizona and the West in 1982. The second folder contains an obituary clipping and funeral card fro Alice Phillips from 1976.

This series contains correspondence files relating to Paul Phillips' professioal endeavors and a few holiday greetings. Series materials are organized according to subject (rather than respondent) and document Phillips' general historical research, efforts to gather information on the biographical profiles he authored, and consultation with the Missoula County Planning Board regarding historical preservation efforts and community planning. Correspondents include publication editors, relatives of Phillips' biographical subjects, and fellow historians.

This series contains Paul Phillips' writings, both published and unpublished. Most of the series consists of edited typescripts for a two-volume manuscript analyzing the history and cultural impacts of the North American fur trade. These typescripts exhibit notes from Phillips and his editor. Also included are both draft and final typescripts for articles on Montana Indian tribes, a manuscript regarding the history of allopathic medicine in Montana, and an article on William Henry Vanderburgh.

This series contains subject files documenting Paul Phillips' methods and findings as a historical researcher. Most series materials are focused upon Montana history. Materials include extensive sequences regarding Montana's early twentieth century consumer cooperative movement, Montana pioneer diary collections, Dictionary of American Biography subjects, land claim litigation brought by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and Missoula County Planning Board projects. The materials in this series document Phillips' historical research methodologies as one of Montana's earliest and most prominent professional historians. Additionally, these materials include transcriptions of Montana Pioneer-era diaries, memoirs, and documents--often the originals for which are lost, deteriorated beyond repair, or held in private collections. An original poll book records the voters and results of an election held in Hellgate (Montana Territory) Precinct on July 14, 1862; there is also the original petition to the territorial legislature that is signed by many prominent Montana citizens.

This series contains records regarding Paul Phillips' suit against the State of Montana (seeking reinstatement to the University of Montana after being discharged), his teaching materials, and gifts from former students. Included are extensive legal documents, typed lecture scripts, handwritten research notes, Montana history files directly related to his teaching, and two gifts--a collection of "Montana Indian inspired" fashion silks created by a former student and a large leather banner signed by the students in Phillips' final graduate seminar before retirement.

This series contains newspaper clippings regarding Paul Phillips personal and professional interests.

This series contains 105 photographs and postcards, the majority of which capture historical images of Montana. Phillips collected most of these materials for the museum at the University of Montana. Many of the photographs exhibit descriptive and interpretive notes, some from the photographer, some from a donor, and some from Phillips. This series also contains a few separated sheets of descriptive notes by Phillips and a letter providing extensive context for the image of an Indian medicine man tending a patient. All of the postcards are historical photographs preserved on card stock. Descriptions provided in this finding aid are quotations from the photographs (and/or notes) and edited only for brevity. Descriptions in brackets are insertions provided for clarity and consistency. The materials in this series preserve significant early images of Montana citizens, communities, and landscapes as well as documenting architectural features that have subsequently disappeared.

Subject matters in this series include American Indian leaders, family scenes, and communal gatherings; significant memorial markers; ghost towns, military fort ruins, and abandoned trading posts; early cattle and precious metal extraction operations; Montana communities and prominent landscapes.

This series contains two souvenir plates, two small statues, two letter openers, two framed photos, and a notepad holder.

This series contains correspondence, typed manuscripts, clippings, and other material relevant to submissions to Sources of Northwest History and Frontier and Midland. It also contains a folder of correspondence and maps about the "Battle of Lame Deer" that occurred in 1877.

This series contains drafts of a manuscript titled "Early Rocky Mountain Explorations" that may have been written by Phillips although authorship is not clear. It also includes correspondence and short manuscript submissions for a tabloid history of Montana that Phillips edited at the request of Judge L.L. Callaway, the chairman of the Historical Committee of Montanans, Inc., the State Chamber of Commerce, 1935-1936.