Walter Nicholas Baker papers

Walter Nicholas Baker papers, 1915-1945

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Baker, Walter Nicholas
Title: Walter Nicholas Baker papers
Dates: 1915-1945 (inclusive)
Date of CollectionDate of Collection
Quantity: 1.55 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
Collection Number: 10417
Summary: The Walter Nicholas Baker papers contain a biography of his life, along with a copy of the film "Explorers on the Purple Sage," and supplemental documents.
Repository: American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions: Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
Languages: English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Walter Nicholas Baker (1915-1995) was a world traveler and film maker, along with his wife Aloha Baker. He was born in Jireh, Wyoming on January 18, 1915. In 1933, while working in Laramie, Wyoming, he met Aloha Wanderwell, who was touring America and giving lectures on her worldwide travel experiences. Walter joined her crew as a driver and mechanic, and the two married two months later. Together, they toured the world and filmed their experiences from 1933-1939. In 1945, Walter co-produced and filmed the silent movie “Explorers of the Purple Sage.” The film documented a wild horse roundup in the Red Desert. Baker passed away in Newport Beach, California on July 27, 1995.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Walter Nicholas Baker papers contain a scrapbook-biography of his early life, (1915-1937) written and compiled by his wife Aloha Baker, and his sister Mildred Elizabeth Baker McLendon. The biography includes information on his early life, his travels around the world, and genealogical information. Also included is the 1945 silent movie “Explorers of the Purple Sage,” (on 16 mm film), along with the film’s catalog and narration, as well as still photographs of wild horses in the Red Desert.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Donor retains copyright. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Alternative Forms Available

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~119~119.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection has been minimally processed

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Walter Nicholas Baker at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Aloha W. Baker in 1996.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Matthew Francis in September 2008.

Portions of the collection were digitized by Rick Walters in July 2012.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
1	Biography of Walter Baker	1915-1933.
1	Biography of Walter Baker - Travels in China, Indochina, and Siam	1933-1936.
1	Biography of Walter Baker - Travels in Australia and New Zealand	1936.
1	Biography of Walter Baker - Travels in India	1936-1937.
1	"Explorers of the Purple Sage" - Catalog, Narration, Photographs	1945.
2	"Explorers of the Purple Sage" - 16 mm film	1945.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Adventure travel.
Wild horse watching--Wyoming--Red Desert.
Wild horses--Wyoming.
World travel.

Geographical Names

Red Desert (Wyo.).
Wyoming--History--1890-1918.
Wyoming--History--1919-1945.

Form or Genre Terms

Biography.
Motion pictures.
Photographs.

Archives West Finding Aid

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