Charles E. Hardy papers, 1911-1977

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hardy, Charles E., 1916-2012
Title
Charles E. Hardy papers
Dates
1911-1977 (inclusive)
Quantity
5.8 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 072
Summary
Charles E. "Mike" Hardy was a forester employed by the United States Forest Service Fire Laboratory in Missoula, Montana in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1975, he was hired to write a comprehensive report on forester Harry Thomas Gisborne's contributions to fire research and the U.S. Forest Service; this collection contains his research materials for the report including oral history transcripts, Forest Service reports, and Gisborne's writings and correspondence.
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.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Charles "Mike" Hardy was born in Fallbrook, California on June 16, 1916. He graduated with a degree in forestry from the University of Montana in Missoula in 1939 and married Mabelle Gould in 1941. During World War II, he served in the navy for three years as a lieutenant. He received a Master's Degree in forestry from the University of Michigan in 1949 and returned to Missoula to work in the U. S. Forest Service Fire Laboratory from 1951 until his retirement in the 1970s.

After his retirement, Hardy participated in many community activities including Kiwanis International and the Boy Scouts of America, and was active in the University Congregational Church. Mike Hardy passed away in Missoula, Montana on July 19, 2012.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

In 1975, Charles E. "Mike" Hardy was contracted by the University of Montana and the U.S. Forest Service to organize the papers and laboratory equipment of Harry Thomas Gisborne, a pioneering fire scientist in the northern Rocky Mountains. During his work, Hardy incorporated into the Gisborne collection his own research materials compiled for a comprehensive report he wrote on Gisborne's contributions to forest fire research and its impact on the U. S. Forest Service and its approach to fire management. In 2003, Hardy's personal research materials were separated from the Gisborne archival collection. Hardy's research materials, including annual reports, oral history transcripts, speeches, notes, newsletters, interviews, and Gisborne's writings, became Series I of this collection. The second series contains U. S. Forest Service materials related to fire research in Region One including reports, fire studies, photographs, and weather reports. It is believed these materials were compiled by Hardy.

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. Non-exclusive copyright transferred to the University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

Charles E. Hardy Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series that are further organized by subject:

Series I: Gisborne Research, 2.8 linear feet, 1911-1977

Series II: Fire Research, 3.0 linear feet, 1912-1975

Custodial History

This collection was in the possession of Charles Hardy until its transfer to Archives and Special Collections in 1977.

Future Additions

No additions to this collection are expected.

Processing Note

This collection was originally included in the Harry Thomas Gisborne Papers (Mss 098) but during reprocessing of the Gisborne collection in 2003 all of Mike Hardy's notes and research contributions were removed and set aside as their own collection. The actions of the 2003 processors on the Hardy materials are unknown. During the 2015 organization of the Hardy materials, the materials were refoldered and arranged into two series.

Related Materials

These materials were originally interfiled with the Harry Thomas Gisborne Papers (Mss 098) at the University of Montana but were separated out to become their own collection in 2003.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Gisborne Research, 1911-1977Return to Top

2.8 linear feet

This series contains materials related to Mike Hardy's research on Harry T. Gisborne and his contributions to fire research. It includes notes, copies of pertinent correspondence and memos, newsletters, and reports.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Outline
1976
1/2
Actuarial
1919-1976
1/3
File material, writing
1976
1/4
File material, philosophy and attitudes
1948-1976
1/5
File material, wide interests
1943-1976
1/6
Interviews
1976
1/7
Interviews
1976
2/1
Interviews and actuarial
1976
2/2
Interviews
1976
2/3
Interviews, Dr. J. A. Larson
1976
2/4
Interviews, philosophy
1976
2/5
Interviews, wide interests
1976
2/6
Interviews, writing
1976
2/7
Newsletter material, general
1934-1976
2/8
Newsletters, Region 1
1947-1951
2/9
Newsletters, Region 1
1920-1946
2/10
Newsletters, Region 1
1920-1948
2/11
Newsletters, Region 1
1920-1946
3/1
Oral tape transcripts, National Forest Fire Laboratory files
1976
3/2
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/3
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/4
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/5
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/6
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/7
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/8
Speeches and Writings
1976
3/9
Biography preparation
1927-1976
3/10
Biography preparation
1941-1976
4/1
Biography
1977
4/2
Citation Addendum
1976-1978
4/3
Final draft
1977
4/4
Reviewers comments
1976
4/5
Rough draft #2
1976
4/6
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports
1916-1919
5/1
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports
1920-1929
5/2
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports
1930-1939
5/3
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports
1940-1950
5/4
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, fire danger rating
1916-1956
5/5
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, lightning, weather forecasting
1919-1948
5/6
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, fire control planning
1916-1949
6/1
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, plans next fiscal year
1916-1950
6/2
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, publications lists
1916-1950
6/3
Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Annual Reports, funding personnel
1911-1950

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series II.:  Fire Research, 1912-1975Return to Top

3.0 linear feet

This series contains additional research materials on fire management not directly related to Hardy's research on Harry T. Gisborne including reports, papers, and measurements on fires and fire danger. A single scrapbook of newspaper clippings related to forest fires and Forest Service activities is also included in the collection.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/1
Brackebusch, Arthur P., "Gain and Loss of Moisture in Large Forest Fuels"
1975
7/2
Friedrich, C. Allen, "Forest Fire -- Thunderstorm Knockout Compilation for Watersheds"
1951
7/3
Fahnestock, George R., "Use of Fire Danger Ratings"
1951
7/4
Fahnestock, George R., "Correction of Burning Index for the Effects of Altitude, Aspect, and Time of Day"
1951
7/5
Kleiner, Harry, screenplay for "Red Skies of Montana"
1951
7/6
Hardy, Charles E., "Helicopter Study"
1949
7/7
Koroleff, A., "Aerial Means of Forest Fire Suppression"
1950
7/8
"Report of Board of Review , Mann Gulch Fire"
1966
7/9
Myers, Victor I., "Photogrammetry and Temperature Sensing for Estimating Soil Salinity"
1954-1955
7/10
Behavior, fire danger rating, Model 8 Meter
1953-1957
7/11
Behavior, fire danger rating, seasonal severity rating, background material
1953
7/12
Fire Danger Rating, Model 7 Meter
1934-1953
7/13
Fire Danger Rating
1952
7/14
Fire Danger Rating, Region 4 meters
1952
7/15
Fire Danger Rating, meter comparisons
1958
7/16
Fire Danger Rating, Region 5 meters
1954
7/17
Fire Danger Rating, "Instructions for Using Forest Fire Danger Meter Type 8"
1912-1958
7/18
Official Weather Summaries, Savanac Nursery, Haugen, Montana
1912-1958
7/19
Official Weather Summaries, Savanac Nursery, Haugen, Montana
1912-1958
8/1
Forest Fire Danger Meter Type 8
1954
8/2
Fuel Moisture Stick, correspondence
1950-1953
8/3
"Instructions for the Manufacture of Fuel Moisture Indicator Sticks"
1951
8/4
Fuel Moisture Sticks, Appalachian States, open vs. covered
1957
8/5
Fuel Moisture Stocks, leaching tests
1952-1957
8/6
Retardants, wetting agents, correspondence
1951
8/7
Rate of Spread Computer Analysis, model X-1
1950-1953
8/8
Rate of Spread Computer Analysis, model X-1
1936-1939
8/9
Rate of Spread Computer Analysis, model X-1
1950
8/10
Rate of Spread Computer Analysis, model X-1, instruction samples
1950-1952
8/11
Rate of Spread, model X-1, Working plans
1950-1954
8/12
Rate of Spread, model X-1, data, test records
1951
8/13
Rate of Spread, model X-1, data, test records
1951
9/1
Rate of Spread, model X-1, data test records
1952
9/2
Rate of Spread, model X-1, data test records
1952
9/3
Large Log Study, analysis, log replacement, calibrations
1951-19961
9/4
Large Log Study, behavior
1950-1952
9/5
Large Log Study, behavior
1958-1960
9/6
Large Log Study, clearcut rack
1960
9/7
Large Log Study, Boise Basin Experiment Station
1958
9/8
Large Log Study, Reports
1955
9/9
Large Log Study, basic data
1950
9/10
Large Log Study, basic data
1951
9/11
Large Log Study, basic data
1952
9/12
Large Log Study, basic data
1953
9/13
Large Log Study, basic data
1954
9/14
Large Log Study, basic data
1955
9/15
Large Log Study, basic data
1956
10/1
Large Log Study, basic data
1957
10/2
Large Log Study, basic data
1958
10/3
Large Log Study, basic data
1958
10/4
Large Log Study, basic data
1959
10/5
Large Log Study, basic data
1959
10/6
Large Log Study, basic data
1960
10/7
Large Log Study, basic data
1960
10/8
St. Joe River Photographs
1953
11
Clippings Scrapbook
1947-1959

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Aeronautics in forest fire control--United States
  • Fire management--United States
  • Fire weather
  • Forest fire forecasting--United States
  • Forest fires--United States--Prevention and control
  • Forest reserves--Fire management--United States
  • Wildfire forecasting--United States
  • Wildfires--United States--Prevention and control

Personal Names

  • Hardy, Charles E., 1916-201--Archives

Corporate Names

  • United States. Forest Service--Officials and employees

Occupations

  • Foresters--United States