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)
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

1 folder

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

0.25 linear feet

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

2 folders

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

0.75 linear feet

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

3.25 linear feet

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

1 linear foot

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

15 reels 16mm film

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