Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Melvin S. Morris Papers, 1925-1981
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Morris, Melvin S., 1907-1986
- Title
- Melvin S. Morris Papers
- Dates
- 1925-1981 (inclusive)19251981
- Quantity
- 5 linear feet, (10 boxes and 15 reels of film)
- Collection Number
- Mss 495
- Summary
- Melvin S. Morris was Professor of Range Management in the School of Forestry at the University of Montana--Missoula. The collection contains biographical materials, correspondence, writings, teaching materials, subject files, photographs, and films related to Morris' research and teaching on range management.
- 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 creating this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historic Publications and Records Commission. Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Melvin S. Morris was Professor of Range Management in the School of Forestry at the University of Montana-Missoula. Born July 9, 1907 in Denver, Colorado, he received his B.S. in Forestry in 1930 and M.S. in Botany in 1932 from Colorado State University. Professor. Morris did advanced work in botany at the University of Chicago in 1940-1941. He began teaching and research at the University of Montana in the fall of 1936. He conducted research in fields of grassland ecology, range management and wildlife nutrition. In 1954-1956, he was project manager for a study of elk nutrition in the Blackfoot Valley for the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. Professor Morris wrote numerous articles which have been published by the Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station and by professional journals. Mr. Morris was president (1966-1967) of the American Society of Range Management and was affiliated with several other professional organizations. He was president of the Montana Academy of Science in 1946. His academic and honorary affiliations include Alpha Zeta, Phi Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Chi Sigma Pi. He was a fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science and an Honor Alumnus of College of Forestry, Colorado State University. Professor Morris retired June 30, 1972. In the mid-1970s, he served on the Navajo Environmental Protection Commission. He died at his home in Missoula on November 9, 1986.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection contains biographical materials, correspondence, writings, teaching materials, subject files, photographs, and films related to Morris' research and teaching on range management at the University of Montana. It documents his interest in the National Bison Range; elk nutrition in the Blackfoot River valley; winter range at Camas Prairie and Perma, Montana; and mining reclamation and range issues on the Navajo Reservation. Photographs are concerned with range research, elk nutrition, and events in the University of Montana's School of Forestry, including annual senior trips, fire training, and the campus. Films are in color and document School of Forestry trips and range conditions in Montana.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
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], Melvin S. Morris Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in seven series:
Series I: Biographical, undated, 1 folder
Series II: Correspondence, 1936-1983, 0.25 linear feet
Series III: Writings, 1932-1944, 2 folders
Series IV: Teaching, 1935-1972, 0.75 linear feet
Series V: Subject Files, 1925-1981, 3.25 linear feet
Series VI: Photographs, 1937-1956, 1 linear foot
Series VII: Film, circa 1951-1955, 15 items
Custodial History
The main collection was in the possession of the Morris family until time of donation. One addition to the collection may have been part of the University of Montana Forestry Library.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Eleanor Morris, 1991; apparent gift of Irene Evers, 2000.
Processing Note
The original processors arranged the collection as it arrived in 1991 and numbered it collection UM 13; photographs were separated to the photograph collection, and the films were described as Film Collection 15. In 2004, the collection was re-numbered as Mss 495, photographs and films were re-integrated, and an unprocessed addition of subject files and photographs received in 2000 was added.
In 2021, all motion picture film reels were cleaned, cored, and rehoused for preservation purposes.
Separated Materials
Five match boxes of animal scat (rabbit, sheep, gopher, ground squirrel, pygmy rabbit) transferred to University of Montana Zoology Museum, 1997. University of Montana publications were transferred to the Archives' University Publications collection in 2004.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Biographical, undatedReturn to Top
This series contains a single folder of biographical materials about Morris, including an undated vita.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | undated |
Series II: Correspondence, 1936-1983Return to Top
This series contains Morris' professional correspondence that relate to his teaching and research interests in range management, ecology, and wildlife nutrition.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/2 | 1936-1964 | |
1/3 | 1965-1968 | |
1/4 | 1969-1973 | |
1/5 | 1974-1975 | |
1/6 | 1976-1980 | |
1/7 | 1981-1983 |
Series III: Writings, 1932-1944Return to Top
This series contains Morris' 1932 thesis on the forage value of chaparral and a summary of a faculty seminar on college teaching that was presented by Ernest Melby at the University of Montana.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/8 | M.A. Thesis,
Forage Value of Chaparral
|
1932 |
1/9 | Summary, faculty
seminar |
1944 |
Series IV: Teaching, 1935-1972Return to Top
This series contains materials related to Morris' years of service to the University of Montana. It includes student papers from Morris' range management courses and materials from the School of Forestry's annual senior class trip that were used to produce complete scrapbooks of the trips. The books include diaries of the trips, lesson materials, photographs, and logistics materials.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/10 | Student papers |
1935-1962 |
1/11 | Student papers |
1965 |
1/12 | Student papers |
1966 |
1/13 | Student papers |
1972 |
1/14 | Student papers |
undated |
2/1 | Range Management class
trip |
1938 |
2/2 | Range Management class
trip |
1940 |
2/3 | Range Management class
trip |
1941 |
2/4 | Range Management class
trip |
1950 |
2/5 | Range Management class
trip |
1951 |
2/6 | Range Management class
trip |
1952 |
2/7 | Range Management class
trip |
1953 |
Series V: Subject Files, 1925-1981Return to Top
This series contains materials produced and collected by Morris in the course of his research and other work-related activities. Many of his writings appear here with contextual information about the reason and circumstances of their authorship. Materials include bibliographies on range management topics, articles by Morris and others, and reports. There are significant materials on the National Bison Range, topics related to the U.S. Forest Service, and from his service to the Navajo Nation. Most of the materials, however, relate to range conditions and management in Montana.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
3/1 | Bibliography on range management
topics |
undated |
3/2 | [National] Bison
Range |
undated |
3/3 | Class notes, Colorado
Agricultural College |
[ca. 1928-1932] |
3/4 | Coal mining, southeast
Montana |
1974 |
3/5 | Elk, Morris publications
on |
1956-1957 |
3/6 | U.S. Forest Service |
1948-1964 |
4/1 | Forestry |
1967-1981 |
4/2 | Forestry |
undated |
4/3 | Grasslands |
1925-1969 |
4/4 | Grazing |
1934-1972 |
4/5 | Herbicides |
1950-1969 |
4/6 | Herbicides |
1970-1975 |
5/1 | Ranch Planning |
1965-1969 |
5/2 | Rangeland |
1931 and undated |
5/3 | Rangeland |
1970 |
5/4 | Reports on range
management |
1930-1970 |
5/5 | Reports on range
management |
1914-1959 |
5/6 | Range management, material
organized and numbered 1-124 |
undated |
5/7 | Range management, material
organized and numbered 125-247 |
undated |
6/1 | Rangeland |
undated |
6/2 | Range forage plants |
1935-1946 |
6/3 | Sagebrush/grasslands |
1931-1981 |
6/4 | Sagebrush/grasslands |
undated |
6/5 | Soil conservation |
1938-1977 |
7/1 | Navajo/Wesco: Environmental
protection and coal gassification |
1975 |
7/2 | Navajo Reservation uranium
mining |
1974-1975 |
7/3 | Navajo Engineering and
Construction Authority |
1975 |
7/4 | Navajo Tribe/U.S. Department of
the Interior |
1975 |
7/5 | Navajo Tribe, proposed coal
lease |
1975 |
7/6 | Memors from the Navajo Nation on
environmental protection |
1975-1976 |
7/7 | Navajo strip mine
reclamation |
1975 |
7/8 | Navajo Indian grazing and
forestry |
1975 |
7/9 | Navajo mining |
1975 |
7/10 | Clipping, Morris on coal mining
reclamation |
undated |
8/1 | Elk nutrition study |
1949-1956 |
8/2 | Elk nutrition study |
1929-1955 |
8/3 | Elk nutrition study |
1955-1956 |
8/4 | Elk nutrition study |
1955-1956 |
8/5 | Elk nutrition study |
1954-1955 |
8/6 | Elk nutrition study,
data |
1954-1955 |
8/7 | Poisonous plants |
undated |
8/8 | Forest grazing |
undated |
8/9 | Forest range studies |
1959 |
9/1 | Noxious plant control |
1956 |
9/2 | Classification systems,
soil |
1953-1971 |
9/3 | Range management case
histories |
undated |
9/4 | Land use study |
1946 |
9/5 | Miscellaneous |
undated |
Series VI: Photographs, 1937-1956Return to Top
This series contains photographs produced and collected by Morris in the course of his work at the University of Montana. They include images of the campus, the university grass nursery, forest fire training for students, and the annual senior forestry trips. There are also photographs that appear to have been produced in the course of research, including images of rangelands in Montana, ranches, and materials from the elk nutrition study in the Blackfoot Valley.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
93-2485: Mount Sentinel, Missoula,
Montana |
ca.1957 | |
94-2486: Cemetery at Laurin,
Montana |
October 19, 1941 | |
93-2487: Rangeland 15 miles northeast of
Livingston, Montana |
October 18, 1941 | |
93-2488: Rangeland nine miles southwest of
Choteau, Montana |
September 19, 1941 | |
93-2489: University of Montana campus;
Missoula, Montana |
undated | |
93-2490: Range Management class on Mount
Sentinel overlooking University of Montana campus. |
undated | |
93-2491: Trees growing out of old mining
loading ramp, Ruby Creek, Beaverhead National Forest. |
July 28, 1951 | |
93-2492: Mel Morris out checking range
conditions. |
undated | |
93-2493: Mel Morris out checking range
conditions. |
undated | |
93-2494: Mel Morris out checking range
conditions. |
undated | |
93-2495: Mel Morris out checking range
conditions. |
undated | |
93-2496: Lolo student fire camp 1942
roster. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2497: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2498: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2499: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2500: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2501: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2502: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2503: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2504: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2505: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2506: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2507: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2508: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2509: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2510: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2511: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2512: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2513: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2514: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2515: Training at Lolo Fire
Camp. |
ca.1942 | |
93-2516: Big Prairie Ranger Station;
Airplane depot. |
undated | |
93-2517: University of Montana, Old
Football stadium. |
undated | |
93-2518: University of Montana, Old
Football stadium. |
undated | |
93-2519: University of Montana, Old
Football stadium. |
undated | |
93-2520: University of Montana, Old
Football stadium. |
undated | |
93-2521: University of Montana, Old
Football stadium. |
undated | |
93-2522: University of Montana campus,
Missoula, Montana. |
undated | |
93-2523: University of Montana; Physical
Plant. |
undated | |
93-2524: University of Montana students
working on restoring "Big M" on Mount Sentinel |
undated | |
93-2525: University of Montana students
working on restoring "Big M" on Mount Sentinel |
undated | |
93-2526: University of Montana students
working on restoring "Big M" on Mount Sentinel |
undated | |
93-2527: University of Montana students
working on restoring "Big M" on Mount Sentinel; view of campus |
undated | |
93-2528: Men working on University of
Montana campus. |
undated | |
93-2529: Men working on University of
Montana campus. |
undated | |
93-2530: University of Montana Range
Management Class. |
undated | |
93-2531: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2532: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2533: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2534: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2535: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2536: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2537: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2538: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2539: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2540: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2541: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2542: University of Montana,
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Elk Nutrition Project. Al Mullen (In plaid)
John Lowell (in doorway) |
Winter 1955 | |
93-2543: University of Montana
Campus |
undated | |
93-2544: Mel Morris Class
picture |
undated | |
93-2545: American Society of Range
Management Display |
undated | |
93-2546: Group Photograph of Range
Managers |
undated | |
Box/Folder | ||
10/1 | Elk nutrition study |
[1955-1956] |
10/2 | Eastern Montana, Dillon, and
Gardiner range lands |
undated |
10/3 | Camas Prairie and Perma, Montana,
winter range
Lomasson
|
[ca. 1937] |
10/4 | Range conditions |
1937 |
10/5 | Intermediate
wheatgrass |
undated |
10/6 | University of Montana, Forestry
School trips |
undated |
10/7 | University of Montana, grass
nursery |
undated |
10/8 | Miscellaneous/unidentified |
undated |
Series VII: Film, ca. 1951-1955Return to Top
This series contains color 16mm films produced by Morris; none have sound. Most are of University of Montana School of Forestry trips, with accompanying scenes from range and wildlands. There is one shot that shows the University of Montana's "M" in the mid-1950s.
Digital copies are available for all films.
Description | Dates |
---|---|
495(VII):1: University of Montana Forestry
School, trip, landscape and ranch shots |
ca. 1951 |
495(VII):2: University of Montana School of
Forestry trip |
ca. 1951 |
495(VII):3: Landscape shots |
ca. 1952 |
495(VII):4: Landscape and ranch shots,
Mexican (?) town |
ca. 1953 |
495(VII):5: Montana State Game Refuge,
forestry trip, landscape shots, petroglyphs, and logging |
ca. 1953 |
495(VII):6: University of Montana School of
Forestry trip, ranch and landscape shots |
ca. 1953 |
495(VII):7: Elk, deer, buffalo, and
helicopter |
ca. 1954 |
495(VII):8: University of Montana School of
Forestry trip, landscape and ranch shots |
ca. 1954 |
495(VII):9: Releasing elk into the wild,
cattle ranch, deer, and landscape shots |
ca. 1955 |
495(VII):10: Ranch and landscape shots, shot
of University of Montana's "M" |
undated |
495(VII):11: University of Montana School of
Forestry trip |
undated |
495(VII):12: Elk in pen, University of Montana
School of Forestry trip |
undated |
495(VII):13: Landscape shots, dam, University
of Montana School of Forestry trip |
undated |
4959(VII):14: Logging, landscapes |
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Elk--Montana--Blackfoot River Valley--Nutrition
- Forestry schools and education--Montana--Missoula
- Range management--Navajo Indian Reservation
- Range management--Study and teaching--Montana--Missoula
- Range management--West (U.S.)
- Rangelands--Montana -- Camas Prairie
- Rangelands--Montana -- Perma
- Reclamation of land -- Navajo Indian Reservation
Corporate Names
- University of Montana-Missoula--Faculty
- University of Montana-Missoula--School of Forestry
Geographical Names
- Camas Prairie (Mont.)
- National Bison Range (Mont.)
- Navajo Indian Reservation--Environmental conditions
- Perma (Mont.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Motion Pictures
- Photographs
Occupations
- Forestry teachers -- Montana--Missoula