H. Reuben Reynolds papers, 1930-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Reynolds, Harry Reuben, 1898-1974
Title
H. Reuben Reynolds papers
Dates
1930-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
5 boxes, (2.5 linear ft.)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 106
Summary
Correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, subject files. Subjects include Utah State University theater productions and art exhibits, centennial celebrations, and the Utah State Fair.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Harry Reuben Reynolds came to Utah State University in 1923 as an art instructor. For the next forty-five years, Reynolds taught in the art department at Utah State. During his time at the college, Reynolds played an important role in promoting the arts at the University and in the community and state. His papers reflect that involvement and are a testament to the recognition he received as an artist and as a civic leader.

Reynolds was born in Centerburg, Ohio on January 29, 1898 and passed away in Logan, Utah March 10, 1974. Reynolds received his initial schooling in art at the Chicago Art Institute and graduated from that school in 1923. During his time at Utah State, Reynolds continually worked at furthering his education. In 1930, he spent nine months touring in France, Spain, and in the Canary Islands. While in Europe, he studied and photographed sculpture, paintings, and formal gardens. After returning to USU, he incorporated these photographs into his art classes as visual aids. In 1939, he spent a year taking classes in Art History at the University of Iowa and in 1961, he completed a short course at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

In addition to his ongoing efforts to enhance his education, Reynolds was involved in promoting the arts in Utah. One area in which he made an impact was his involvement with the Utah State Fair. Reynolds served on the Board of Directors from 1940 until the 1960's and in 1962 was elected President of that Board. As general Art Chairman for the "Days of '47" Centennial Celebration Committee, he was instrumental, in bringing the noted art exhibit "100 Years of American Painting" to Utah from the Whitney and the Metropolitan Museums of Art in New York.

As a recognition for his promotion of and contributions to the advancement of art in Utah, Reynolds was selected as the Distinguished Service Award recipient by the Utah Art Educators Association. Reynolds was also honored in an appointment by the Governor to spearhead the major project of inventorying all art owned by the State of Utah.

At Utah State University, in addition to his duties as an instructor and lecturer, Reynolds was also involved in many extra-curricular activities. Reynolds served as the faculty advisor to the Buzzer yearbook from 1946-1962 and chaired the Utah State University Art Committee for a number of years. In 1955, he accepted the position of Production Manager for USU production "Look On he Land," a play written to celebrate Cache Valley's Centennial. The Play was an outstanding success and has been revived again in recent years. Because of Professor Reynolds fine work as an educator, he was nominated and became a finalist for the "Instructor of the Year" award in 1959.

H. Reuben Reynold's civic work aside probably his most important contributions came as a professional photographer Reynolds did pioneering work in the use of slides as backdrops for theater performances. He was also one of the first to produce quality photomicrographs and was asked to do such work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Reynolds work was of such high quality, that he was often invited to display his art at shows throughout the country He was specially invited to show his work at the National Professional Photographers Convention and in 1939 was asked to lecture on the topic "The Why of the Additive and Subtractive Processes in Direct Color Portraitures."

Reynolds in his years at Utah State University brought a lasting quality and reputation to Utah art and to the Utah State University Art and Photography Departments.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Harry Reuben Reynolds Papers span a forty year period from the 1930s to the 1970s. The Reynolds Papers reflect his involvements in art and theater while at Utah State University.

The papers came to Utah State organized in subject areas. This organization was refined but mainly kept intact. In addition to the many subject files, there were two portfolios containing newspaper clippings chronicling the highlights of Reynold's career, and a collection of photographs by and of Reynolds.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Harry Reuben Reynolds papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Harry Reuben Reynolds papers, 1930-1970. (COLL MSS 106). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organization: Alphabetical within subject.

Acquisition Information

Papers donated to Utah State University, Special Collections and Archives Dept. by Reynold's widow.

Processing Note

The initial processing of the Reynolds Papers was done by manuscript librarian R. Bradford Cole. A year after this work was completed, Professor Reynold's widow made an additional donation to U.S.U. of the remainder of her husband's papers. These were held in a satchel and in two cardboard boxes. The inclusion and processing of these additional materials was done by Scott Christensen. An attempt has been made to present the material in a way that allows maintenance of the organizational form the originator intended, while still making them useful and simple to access by researchers.

Alterations to the subject files were made as follows: Each topic was sorted so that newspaper clippings correspondence, and other miscellaneous materials were brought together in separate folders within the topic area. It was felt that this arrangement would leave correspondence and other materials in the context in which they were created. A correspondence section was created with letters that did not pertain to any of the heretofore identified subjects.

All material in the Harry Reuben Reynolds Collection was placed in acid free folders which were then placed in acid free Hollinger Boxes. Photographs were handled with special care to ensure their protection for many decades to come. Newspapers included in the collection were carefully pressed out of their rounded storage position and were placed also in an acid free box.

Separated Materials

Photographs have been removed to the photographic collection P0004

Related Materials

H. Reuben Reynolds photograph collectionP0004

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 U.S.A.C. Art Department Invoices 1947-1957
1 2 U.S.A.C Art Department: Listing of photo equipment at the University 1946-1947
1 3 Art Education University class: Handwritten lecture notes and typed information booklets
1 4 Art Workshop: correspondence undated
1 5 Art Workshop: publicity undated
1 6 Buzzer Yearbook: Newspaper clippings undated
1 7 Buzzer Yearbook: Miscellaneous 1961-1962
1 8 Buzzer Yearbook: Miscellaneous 1961-1962
1 9 Cache Valley Arts Festival: Newspaper clippings undated
1 10 Cache Valley Centennial: College Centennial Production Committee: Meeting minutes and correspondence 1955-1956
1 11 Cache Valley Centennial: Newspaper Clippings undated
1 12 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Correspondence 1955-1957
1 13 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Costume measurement information undated
1 14 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Handwritten notes by Reynolds regarding the production undated
1 15 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Misc., lists, outlines, and info undated
1 16 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Newspaper Clippings undated
1 17 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Printed Matter undated
1 18 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Programs, souvenir programs, program ticket undated
1 19 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Purchase orders, requisitions, bills, receipts 1955-1957
1 20 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Rehearsal book and lyrics undated
1 21 Cache Valley Centennial Production "Look On The Land": Unused Stationary undated
1 22 Correspondence: Anne Carroll Moore 1930-1938
1 23 Correspondence: Anonymous letters negative of both USAC leadership, and of Fritz Champ undated
1 24 Correspondence: Committee on Services Which the Art Institute Might Render undated
1 25 Correspondence: Misc. 1929-1973
1 26 Correspondence: Student 1930-1967
1 27 Correspondence: Exhibits 1945-1956
1 28 Exhibits: Newspaper clippings undated
2 1 Exhibits: Newspaper Clippings undated
2 2 Exhibits: Newspaper Clippings undated
2 3 Exhibits: Newspaper Clippings flyers, and programs undated
2 4 Film Festival Clippings undated
2 5 Honors: Certificates of Award undated
2 6 Honors: Letters of Congratulation undated
2 7 Honors: Newspaper Clippings undated
2 8 Honors: Utah State University Oscar Awards 1958
2 9 Honors: Utah State University Robins Awards 1964
2 10 Honors: Who's Who In America° undated
2 11 Honors: Who's Who In American Art undated
2 12 How-to books and advertising brochures undated
2 13 Letters of recommendation from S.R Stock and A Stark undated
2 14 Pastel by H.R. Reynolds undated
2 15 Photographs: Correspondence concerning
Photographs removed
undated
3 12 Photomicrographs: Correspondence about undated
3 13 Photomicrographs: Information concerning undated
3 14 Photomicrograph undated
3 15 Professional Photographer Convention 1939
3 16 Reynolds: Art articles & misc undated
3 17 Reynolds: Newspaper Clippings undated
3 18 Reynolds: Personal History undated
3 19 Reynolds: Personal History undated
3 20 Reynolds: Private photo business material undated
3 21 Reynolds: Slide Collection information and clippings undated
3 22 State of Utah Art Inventory undated
3 23 State of Utah Art Inventory: Newspaper Clippings undated
3 24 State of Utah Art Inventory: North Cache Junior High School Collection 1965
3 25 State of Utah Art Inventory for the "100 Years Of American Paintings" exhibition undated
3 26 Student Evaluations: Professor Reynolds Art classes undated
3 27 Table Manners sheet: 318th (Aircrew) College Training Detachment at the USAC undated
3 28 Teaching Contracts 1951 - 1953
3 29 Theater: Newspaper Clippings undated
3 30 Theater Programs undated
3 31 Theater: Script for "A Star Was Born In '96." undated
3 32 USAC Authorization slips for travel
Also, State of Utah Travel expense papers.
1945-1947
3 33 USAC Faculty Association Constitution with proposed amendments undated
3 34 USAC Miscellaneous materials undated
3 35 USAC Student Publications Council materials undated
3 36 USAC Summer School bulletins, announcements, and fliers advertising summer workshops undated
3 37 Utah Centennial: Booklet advertising undated
3 38 Utah Centennial: Correspondence 1946-1947
4 1 Utah Centennial: U.S.U. Bulletin undated
4 2 Utah Centennial Arts Division: Booklet of Information January 20, 1947
4 3 Utah Centennial Art Show" 100 Years of American Painting" : Agenda, Budget, News release, proposed promotion plan, tentative listings of artist tour guides undated
4 4 Utah Centennial Art Show "100 Years of American Painting" : Programs undated
4 5 Utah Centennial Art Show "100 Years of American Painting" : Transcripts from three radio shows advertising the Art show undated
4 6 Utah Centennial Commission: Arts Division Final Report September 15, 1947
4 7 Utah Centennial Commission: Arts Division Source Book undated
4 8 Utah Centennial Commission: Centennial Programs undated
4 9 Utah Centennial Commission: Guidelines and rule sheets for various centennial programs undated
4 10 Utah Centennial Commission: Invitations and Thank-You Notes undated
4 11 Utah Centennial Commission: Minutes of various committees of the Centennial Commission, all dating from early 1946 undated
4 12 Utah Centennial Commission: Two-minute speech produced to be read in church and civic groups to inform the residents of Utah about the upcoming Utah Centennial celebrations and events undated
4 13 Utah Centennial Commission: Official Souvenir programs undated
4 14 Utah State Fair: Correspondence 1958
4 15 Utah State Fair: Correspondence 1959
4 16 Utah State Fair: Correspondence 1960
4 17 Utah State Fair: Correspondence 1962
4 18 Utah State Fair: Newspaper Clippings undated
4 19 Utah State Fair: Clippings undated
4 20 Utah State Institute of Fine Arts undated
4 21 Utah State University Art Gallery undated
4 23 Unused Centennial Commission and Art Department stationary undated
4 24 Emptied envelopes from the Reynolds correspondence undated
5 Salt Lake Tribune issues from 1947 celebrating Utah's Centennial Year undated
5 Logan Herald Journal issues from 1956 celebrating Cache Valley's Centennial Year 1956

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Artists--Utah.
  • Theater--Utah--Logan.
  • Utah--Centennial celebrations.

Personal Names

  • Reynolds, Harry Reuben, 1898-1974.

Corporate Names

  • Utah Centennial Commission.
  • Utah State Fair.
  • Utah State University--Faculty--Archives.
  • Utah State University. Art Gallery.
  • Utah State University. Dept. of Art.
  • Utah State University. Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.