Records of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Montana State University, 1906-1977

This subseries pertains to the general business of the Agricultural Engineering department. The bulk of materials in this subseries were created under Charles C. Bowman's administration. Some correspondence to various conferences and seminars hosted or attended by the department's staff, other correspondence pertains to the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), day-to-day activities, and prospective employees. The earliest correspondence represented in this subseries contains letterpress copies of letters dating back to 1884, but their relationship to the future establishment of the department is unclear.

This subseries also includes letters signed by Congressional Representatives Dick Shoup and John Melcher, as well as letters signed by Senators Lee Metcalf and Mike Mansfield. The folders pertaining to these individuals include materials previously removed from the creator's context by an unknown individual. It is likely that these letters originated from Charles C. Bowman's correspondence as all are addressed to him. Additional correspondence signed by Representative Shoup and Senator Mansfield have been relocated from subseries two to for inclusion with the congressmen's correspondence folders to maintain consistency.

This subseries pertains to departmental personnel correspondence. Topics discussed by personnel range from requests for information, to departmental issues, to student development, in addition to research projects and publications. Interests range from hydrology, drainage, farm mechanics, to water rights, as well as crop yields and legislation. Correspondents ranged from Montana's citizens, to peers throughout the continental United States as well as overseas locals (e.g. Turkey, Thailand, Russia, Scotland, Nigeria, Indonesia, etc.), as well as governmental representatives (e.g. Congressmen Mansfield, Olsen, Shoup, Melcher, and Metcalf.)

This subseries contains separation notices detailing the removal of correspondence signed by Representative Dick Shoup and Senator Mike Mansfield for relocation with the Congressmen's correspondence files. Folders with separation notices are marked with an asterisk (*).

This subseries provides insight into departmental finances during C.C. Bowman's tenure as department head. Topics range from products ordered, texts and copy orders, payroll, memberships, to payment requests.

This subseries deals mainly with a variety of matters ranging from annual reports, to faculty activities, as well as personnel information. It also offers information on the remodel of Ryon Lab, patents, and the Master's of Science degree proposal.

This subseries pertains to the research and project files of Herbert B. Bonebright. Bonebright served as Assistant Agricultural Engineer at the Experiment Station circa 1910-1912. The majority of Bonebright's files pertain to harvesting, seepage, farm machinery, and rural development.

This subseries pertains to the research and project files of Charles C. Bowman. Bowman worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1954-1980, and served as department head from 1964-1973. The topics researched by Bowman include irrigation, drainage, snow depth, and water content, farm machinery, windmills, water right, and transpiration.

This subseries contains folders designated as photographic materials; these images have been numbered and identified with a pound sign (#). Photographs #1 to #9 are located in Box 15 Folder 29.

This subseries pertains to the research and project files of Harry G. Cockrum. Cockrum worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1941-1975. The topic researched by Cockrum is the Montana Cow Stall or farm structures.

This subseries deals with general departmental research and project files for the department that are not associated with a single individual. The files consist of topics proposed for research in farming equipment, farm house plans for Montana, and a master list of projects for 1933-1934.

This subseries discusses the research and project files of Armin J. Hill. Hill worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1937-1941. The topics investigated by Hill include electrical legislation, rural electrification, electrical appliances, and wiring.

This subseries pertains to the research and project file of William E. Larsen. Larsen worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1970-1987. The topic pursued by Larsen pertains to forage handling.

This subseries discusses the research and project files of William D. McMillan. McMillan worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1956-1960, and served as department head from 1973-1987. The topics investigated by McMillan pertain to reducing canal seepage.

This subseries pertains to the research and project files of Robert M. Merrill. Merrill worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1921-1928. The topics explored by Merrill include hydraulic rams, harvesting equipment, and crop cultivation.

This subseries pertains to the research and project file of Charles M. Milne. Milne worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1968-1987. The topic investigated by Milne pertains to cattle feedlots and their usefulness in Montana.

This subseries details the research and project files of Olaf W. Monson. Monson worked for the Agricultural Engineering department circa 1928-1968, and served as the department head from 1949-1961. The topics researched by Monson include the Snow Bug, flood irrigation, water conservation, water usage and resources, range improvement, soil salinity, water right, and farm machinery.

Correspondence for the research on water resources development in box 28 include two sheets signed by Montana Governor Frank Henry Cooper, one signed letter from Senator Burton K. Wheeler, and one signed letter from Montana Governor Elmer Holt.

This subseries contains folders designated as photographic materials; these images have been numbered and identified with a pound sign (#). Photographs #10 to #23 are located in Box 25 Folder 2. Photographs #24 to #32 are located in Box 26 Folder 16. Photographs #33 to #36 are located in Box 27 Folder 13. Photographs #37 to #38 are located in Box 28 Folder 2.