Collection Summary
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center
Ross, Nellie Tayloe, 1876-1977
Nellie Tayloe Ross papers
1880s-1998
22.50 cubic ft. (39 boxes and digital content)
Papers of the first woman governor of
Wyoming and of the United States, who served from 1924 to 1926. Includes Ross family
material, campaign material from Nellie and her husband William B. Ross, speeches
and writings, diaries, photographs, and material relating to Nellie Ross's tenure as
director of the United States Mint.
00948
English
Biography of Nellie Tayloe Ross
Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876-1977) was the first woman governor in the United States. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, she married William Bradford Ross in 1902 and they lived in Cheyenne, Wyoming. William B. Ross, a Democrat, was elected Governor of Wyoming in 1922. Three weeks before election day in 1924, William B. Ross died and Nellie Tayloe Ross, a housewife of twenty-two years, was elected in his stead. Nellie Ross lost in her bid for reelection in 1926, but had gained national prominence as the first woman governor and began a national speaking tour. In the early 1930s she served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee in charge of women’s activities. She was appointed Director of the U.S. Mint in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served in that capacity until her retirement in 1953. Ross lived in Washington D.C. until her death at age 101 in 1977.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
Collection contains materials relating to Nellie Tayloe Ross’s professional and political career and the Ross family. Correspondence contains both personal and professional letters, including letters to and from family members. Several scrapbooks containing clippings, letters, and photographs document Ross’s time as governor and as director of the U.S. Mint. There are a number of speeches and manuscripts, some handwritten by Ross, about a variety of topics written and presented throughout her career. The collection also contains audio records and interviews documenting Ross’s life and career.
Additionally there is legal and financial information largely related to real estate and properties owned by the Ross family. There is also information about the Ross family and several documents pertaining to Ross’s son, William Bradford Ross II. Biographical and general information can be found in clippings, an interview with son William Bradford Ross II, day planners, and publications on Ross. There are also a number of photographs documenting the Ross family, Ross’s term as governor and director of the U.S. Mint, and miscellaneous individuals.
Arrangement of the Papers
The collection has been arranged primarily in chronological order within each
series. This arrangement was changed to alphabetical arrangement in series I, II, and V in 2013. Previous series VIII and IX were absorbed into series I through VII.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the
collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
Family maintains copyright except for material in boxes 1-25 and Digital Content. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and
libel laws as they apply.
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respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of
reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our
finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event.
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For more information, read our full statement.
Nellie Tayloe Ross Papers, Wyoming State Archives (Cheyenne, Wyo.)
Access Terms
Ross, William Bradford
United States Mint
United States Mint -- Officials and
employees
Politics, Practical -- Wyoming
Women -- Political activity
Women chief executive officers -- United States
Governors -- Wyoming
Wyoming -- Politics and government.
Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945
Wyoming -- History -- 1946-
Diaries
Scrapbooks
Phonograph records
Artifacts
Politics, Government, and Law
Political Campaigns
Politics and Politicians
Social Life and Customs
Women
Wyoming
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection
Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at
https://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~56~56.
Acquisition Information
Nellie Tayloe Ross donated parts of the collection circa 1960. Lewis Gould donated material in 1986. The Ross Family donated parts of the collection in 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2015. Mrs. Norman Gray donated three letters in 2002. The DVD was purchased in 2005.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Monte G. Kniffen and Melanie Francis in 1997 and
2003 and updated by Laura Uglean Jackson in 2013.
Container List
Series I.
Correspondence
1902-1998
5
3
100th Birthday: Letters from school children and teachers, 1976
5
4-7
100th Birthday: notes and cards,
1976
6
1-2
100th Birthday: Responses to party invitations,
1976
1
4
Ambrose Ross, 1922-1923
7
8
Cards and Invitations, 1925-1982
27
7-10
Congratulatory
1922-1924, 1933, 1948
2
1
Copied from Transcripts,
1923-1938
1
12
Copies of letters and transcripts from Kaye Tayloe Collins,
1924-1998
4
1
David Ross, 1957-1961
7
11
Documentary Film on Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1994
4
4
Dorothy Ross (notes and letters to her),
1970-1982
1
1
Family and Personal,
1902-1930
1
2
Family and Personal,
1918-1924
1
8
Family Letters (Early),
1925-1927
6
3
Financial and General, 1940-1977
1
5
George Ross, 1923
1
6
George Ross, 1923
1
7
George Ross, 1923
1
11
Governorship for Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1924
3
11
Harry S. Truman, 1951
5
2
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation,
1975
27
22
International Exposition in Madrid
1951-1952
27
13-21
Invitations
1924-1953
2
3
Invitations to Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor,
1925-1926
2
4
Invitations to Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor,
1925-1926
4
2
John Hardy Ross to his parents,
1965-1966
39Miscellaneous Correspondence with Well-Known Individuals, 1925-1953
27
11
Miscellaneous Correspondence with Well-Known Individuals (copies of safe material),
1925-1953
1
3
Miscellaneous Early,
1905-1938
30
3
Miscellaneous
1919-1975
2
2
Miscellaneous, 1924-1929
30
1
Miscellaneous
1926-1944
2
6
Miscellaneous, 1930s
30
5
Miscellaneous
1931
2
11
Miscellaneous, 1940-1947
2
12
Miscellaneous, 1951-1970
3
3
Miscellaneous requests,
1953-1955
3
5
Miscellaneous family letters,
1954-1962
3
13
Miscellaneous, 1960-1972
4
9
Miscellaneous and Christmas Greetings,
1964
4
10
Miscellaneous, 1970-1978
7
6
Miscellaneous, 1980s-1990s
7
12
Miscellaneous, undated
4
7
Nellie Tayloe Ross Business Matters,
1966-1967
7
7
Nellie Tayloe Ross Portrait
30
4
Nellie Tayloe Ross to Alma Gray
1965, 1970
3
6
Nellie Tayloe Ross to brother George Tayloe and his wife
Nelle, 1925-1942
3
7
Nellie Tayloe Ross to George and Nelle Ross,
1925, 1938-1948, 1951, undated
3
8
Nellie Tayloe Ross to George and Nelle Ross,
1949-1954
3
9
Nellie Tayloe Ross to George and Nelle Ross,
1955-1959
3
10
Nellie Tayloe Ross to George and Nelle Ross,
1960-1970
3
4
Nellie Tayloe Ross to WBR II while traveling,
1955,1967-1968
2
8
Nellie Tayloe Ross in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's
Cabinet, 1932-1933
30
2
Nellie Tayloe Ross to Son, Bradford Ross
1929-1947
2
7
Nellie Tayloe Ross to Son, Bradford,
1930-1933
3
12
Orange Grove Property, 1960-1962
26
12
Personal
1922-1957
5
1
Personal (school children and teachers),
1970-1978
4
5
Presidential Letters and Invitations,
1923-1979
27
1-6
Professional
1922-1952
26
5-11
Professional
1928-1952
2
9
Publication of Nellie Tayloe Ross’s article,
1938
27
24
Retirement
1953
4
3
Robert Ross to his parents,
1973
3
1
Spain Purchases, 1951
26
2-4
Sympathy and Get Well, Death of William Bradford Ross
1924
1
10
Sympathy Letters on death of Governor William Bradford Ross I),
1924
4
6
Teno Roncalio, 1965
2
10
Third Appointment as Head of Mint,
1943
1
9
To Governor William Bradford Ross,
1923-1925
Digital FolderTranscripts of correspondence with family, mostly from Nellie Tayloe Ross to George Tayloe (brother) and his wife Nelle,1905-1970
4
8
University of Wyoming,
1960-1975
3
2
U.S. Mint, 1952-1956
27
12
William Bradford Ross I, Personal
1922-1924
6
4
William Bradford Ross II business matters,
1961-1964
2
5
William Bradford Ross II to Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1929-1939
6
5
William Bradford Ross II: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Ross,
1960-1977
7
2-5
William Bradford Ross II: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Ross,
1970-1980
6
6-7
William Bradford Ross II, Letters to, 1970-1994
7
1
William Bradford Ross II and Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1970s
7
9
William Bradford Ross II Mostly WBR II, 1972-1993
7
10
William Bradford Ross III, 1982-1992
27
23
Woman's World Fair
1925
Typed transcripts of correspondence with family, mostly from Nellie Tayloe Ross to George Tayloe (brother) and his wife Nelle.1905-1970
Series II.
Political and Professional, 1907-1994
25
Audio Cassette, Bradford Ross discussing Nellie Tayloe Ross's correspondence with Joseph C. O’Mahoney from 1924 to
1933; original recording is very poor (42 minutes, 42 seconds)
June 5, 1994
8
8
Articles written by Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1926-1956
8
10
Articles on U.S. Mint, 1952, 1959,
1984
34
Artwork: Political cartoon by W.A. Rogers, "All Ready for the Coolidge Rodeo", March 4, 1925
26
14
Bound Volumes
1926, 1953
26
13
Campaign Materials
circa 1923
35-36
Campaign Signs
circa 1926
34
Certificates- Director of U.S. Mint
1933-1948
34
Certificates- Gimbel Brothers Building Dedication
1926
34
Degrees
1937, 1950
21
Fortune Magazine, article titled, “The Wonder Boys in
Washington” which includes a segment on Nellie Tayloe Ross as U.S. Mint
Director, p. 19-23
1933
29
15
Governors' Conference
1926
29
12
Governors' Conference in Maine
1925
29
9
Governors' Trip to Spain
1951
29
8
Hatch Act
1933-1941
8
9
Interviews with Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1930-1950
28
1
Manuscripts,
1920-1948
28
2-3
Manuscripts by Nellie Tayloe Ross
circa 1940 and undated
28
4
Manuscripts: "Has Woman a Right to Vote!"
undated
28
5
Manuscripts: "Progress and the Eternal Feminine"
undated
8
7
Miscellaneous, 1938-1941
25 and 40
Motion Picture Film: President Roosevelt Appoints Nellie Tayloe Ross as Director of
the Mint, 43 seconds (copies - 1 VHS and 1 Betamax tape; orginal - 35mm nitrate)
1933
7
16
National Recovery Administration, ca.
1930
28
10
News Releases
1924-1942
28
14
Notes
undated
28
18
Pamphlets and Other Printed Material
1920-1937
Phonograph Recordings:
37
CBS Radio broadcast: International Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club, 3rd Annual International
Day broadcast, hosted by Lena Madison Phillips and featuring Nellie Tayloe Ross (33 1/3 RPM; 27 minutes, 53 seconds)
February 25, 1938
25
"OWI—Ross": Nellie Tayloe Ross discusses the Roosevelt nickel (CD - copy; 4 minutes, 46 seconds)
1946
37
"Coffee in Washington" radio program, 3 records, Parts 1-6, (33 1/3 RPM; 32 minutes, 21 seconds)
1950
9
1
Political Information, miscellaneous,
1934-1969
9
2
Political Information- writings and musings by Nellie Tayloe
Ross, no date
8
1
President’s Cabinet, promoting Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1932-1933
29
11
Publicity
1931-1943
28
13
Reports
1921-1935
28
12
Resolutions and Proclamations
1924-1953
28
15
Schedules
circa 1935
24
Scrapbook, Family Photographs, political photographs,
miscellaneous clippings 1907-1940
33
Scrapbook
1922-1924
22
Scrapbook (2), William Bradford Ross as Governor of Wyoming
1922-1924
32
Scrapbook, Miscellaneous
circa 1924
22
Scrapbook (3), Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor of Wyoming
1924-1926
23
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor of Wyoming
1925
33
Scrapbook
1925-1926
23
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor, and re-election
campaign 1926
23
Scrapbook, Miscellaneous clippings
1926-1931
23
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross as Democratic Party Vice-Chairman
1927
23
Scrapbook, Clippings of Comments and Lectures of Nellie Tayloe
Ross 1928
24
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross as Vice-Chairmanship of Democratic
Party 1931
24
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross during President’s cabinet election
1932-1933
24
Scrapbook, Nellie Tayloe Ross as U.S. Mint Director
1933-1937
24
Scrapbook, mainly clippings of King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth's visit to U.S. 1939
31
Scrapbook
1940-1950
31
Scrapbook (compiled by Thelma Harold)
1945-1953
32
Scrapbook- International Medallic Art Exposition
1951
34
Signing Oath of Office to Governor [DVD]
1925
28
21-23
Social Events
1916-1952
7
13
Speeches and addresses, undated
29
1-2
Speeches and Speech Material
1920-1953
7
14
Speeches and Speech Material,
1925
7
15
Speeches and Addresses,
1925-1930
29
3-7
Speeches and Addresses (5 volumes)
1925-1952
28
6-9
Speeches and Addresses
1925-1960
8
2
Speeches and Addresses, 1931-1935,
1941
30
11
Speeches and Addresses
1933-1940
8
3
Speeches and Addresses,
1936-1938
8
4
Speeches and Addresses,
1940-1944
8
5
Speeches and Addresses,
1945-1948
8
6
Speeches and Addresses, 1949-1952,
1960
29
13
Speeches by Others
1923
29
10
United States Mint
1937-1953
29
14
Wyoming Democrats
1920-1926
21
1
Wyoming Firsts, special edition of Wyoming Eagle and Wyoming
State Tribune, Cheyenne, 1954, with Nellie Tayloe Ross on front cover
Series III.
Legal and Financial,
1909-1981
9
3
Estate Papers and Death Certificate of William Bradford Ross I,
1909-1956
9
4
Warranty Deed, Contrast, Old Nellie Tayloe Ross Will,
1912-1932
28
17
Financial Records
1926-1928
28
16
Legal Documents
1934
29
16
Virginia Farm
1941-1947
9
5
Maryland Farm, 1951-1953
9
6
Nellie Tayloe Ross Passports
1951, 1953, 1961
View select images from this folder
9
7
Deeds, Correspondence, Tax Issues,
1958-1979
9
8
Correspondence, Indenture of Trust, Nellie Tayloe Ross Will,
1958-1960
10
1
Legal Correspondence, 1962-1971
9
9
Tayloe Paper Company, Stockholders Papers, 1962-1964,
1976
9
10
Legal Correspondence, 1965-1971
11
5
Financial Miscellaneous,
1969-1977
10
2
Nellie Tayloe Ross Estate,
1971-1981
10
3
Estate Papers and Appraisals,
1971-1979
10
4-5
Dresden Apartment Information,
1973-1978
11
1
Dresden Apartment Information,
1973-1978
9
11
Murdina Brown and Gwendolyn Bernard, maids to Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1975-1977
11
2-4
Dresden Apartment Correspondence,
1976-1979
11
6
Nellie Tayloe Ross Estate Information, Last Will and Testament,
1977-1978
Series IV.
Clippings, 1907-1994
11
7-8
WBR political, 1907-1924
12
1
Miscellaneous, 1924-1925
28
19-20
Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings
1925-1972
12
2
Political, 1926
12
3
Miscellaneous, 1927
12
4-7
Political, 1928-1937
12
8-10
Miscellaneous, 1938-1979
12
11
Nellie Tayloe Ross’s 100th Birthday,
1976
12
12
Death of Nellie Tayloe Ross
1977
View select images from this folder
12
13
Miscellaneous
1980-1994
View select images from this folder
12
14
Miscellaneous
undated
View select images from this folder
Series V.
Genealogy/Family History,
1912-1992
13
4
Architectural History, undated
30
13
Bradford Ross II (son), Cheyenne House
c. 1944
30
16
Bradford Ross II (son), Correspondence
1944-1945
30
15
Bradford Ross II (son), Correspondence - Political
1945
30
14
Bradford Ross II (son), Military Life Insurance
1942-1944
30
19-20
Bradford Ross II (son), Military Papers
1939-1946
30
12, 17
Bradford Ross II (son), Miscellaneous
1940-1945 and undated
30
18
Bradford Ross II (son), Themes and Lessons
1930-1935
14
7-8
Compiled by William Bradford Ross III, 1974-1992
13
6
David Tayloe Ross
1963
View select images from this folder
13
9
Davis Family, oral history transcripts
undated
View select images from this folder
13
1-3
Family History, including book titled Ross Family Heritage,
1912-1990
14
5-6
Genealogy and Family History Correspondence,
1923-1978
13
7
George Ross, 1980-1985
14
1
Green Family, oral history transcripts, and family lineage
undated
View select images from this folder
13
5
Marjorie Tayloe
1961-1976
View select images from this folder
13
8
Mary Steele Ross, 1982-1983
14
2
Reid, Reed, and Ross Families
1968-1977
View select images from this folder
14
4
Society of the Cincinnati/Breckinridge Family,
1980-1981
14
3
Tayloe Family, 1980-1981
Series VI.
Personal/Miscellaneous,
1920-1995
38
100th Birthday Broadcast on Good Morning America [VHS Tape]
1976
16
Address Books (7), undated
26
1
Biographical Information
1920-1948
15
2
Biographical Information--articles written about Nellie Tayloe
Ross, 1933-1992
15
4
Biographical Information--article, “The Governor Lady,” by Nellie
Tayloe Ross in Good Housekeeping
14
11
Biographical Information--Interview with WBR II,
1994
15
1
Biographical Information--Interview with WBR III,
1994
30
10
Biographical Information - Oral History Interview, William Bradford Ross II with Rick
Ewig (Transcript)
July 26, 27, 1995
View the Transcript
38
Biographical Information - Oral History Interview, William Bradford Ross II with Rick Ewig (cassette tapes)
July 26, 1995
15
5
Biographical Information--thesis written about Nellie Tayloe
Ross, 1960
15
6
Diary and Day book, 1929, 1956
15
Day books, Notebooks, Calendars, etc. 1934, 1951, 1955,
1958-1966, 1969
16
Day books, Notebooks, Calendars, etc.
1970-1978
14
9
Memorabilia
1966-1976
View select images from this folder
16
Nellie Tayloe Ross’s Bible, King James version, inscribed by William Bradford Ross
II, no date
14
10
Nellie Tayloe Ross’s Funeral Information,
1977
17
2
Nellie Tayloe Ross Book—Levine, Thall, and Plotkin
1965
View select images from this folder
28
11
Periodicals
1920-1924
17
3
Presidential Inaugural Program
1965
View select images from this folder
15
3
Queen of Romania Dinner
1926
View select images from this folder
17
4
Spain Trip—notes and cards, 1969
17
1
The Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania--book, pamphlets
1956-1960
View select images from this folder
Series VII.
Photographs,
1880-1993
17
5
Early Family Photos
1880s-1930s
18
6
Early Family Photos
1880s-1930s
20
Oversized photographs: Early family photos, William Bradford Ross
as Governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross in
Washington
1880s-1977
18
1
William B. Ross as Governor
early
1920s
21
6 Framed photographs: Ambrose Ross; Invitations to Fiesta San
Jacinto, San Antonio, Texas; Nellie Tayloe Ross, inauguration day as
Governor; John W. Snyder, Secretary of the Treasury under President
Truman; Nellie Tayloe Ross and WBR; Nellie Tayloe Ross, later years;
early 1920s-1949
18
2
Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor
1924-1926
18
3
Nellie Tayloe Ross as Governor
1924-1926
34
Nellie Tayloe Ross
circa 1926 and 1951
34
Presentation of Cups to CMTC
1925
18
4
Miscellaneous
1927-1930, undated
18
5
Nellie Tayloe Ross as U.S. Mint Director
1933-1953
19
1
Personal Miscellaneous
1930s-1960
30
8
Ross/Mint Coin
circa 1933
22
Rolled oversize photograph, Dinner for Eleanor Roosevelt,
1941
22
Rolled register of guests for farewell dinner for Nellie Tayloe
Ross as Director of U.S. Mint, 1952
30
7
Political Figures
circa 1959
19
2
Personal Miscellaneous
1960-1977
19
3
Personal Miscellaneous,
undated
19
4
Slides of Ross Family and Ross Family Farm
1972
View select images from this folder
19
5
Grave site of WBR and Nellie Tayloe Ross,
1977
19
6
Copies of family photographs collected by WBR II
1993
View select images from this folder
19
7
Interiors of homes (unidentified), undated
22
Rolled oversize photograph, II Exposicion National de Numismatica
e Internacional de Medallas, and decorative tube in which the photograph
was presented, undated
30
6
Family
undated
34
Political Figures
undated
30
9
Miscellaneous
undated
34
William Bradford Ross
undated