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Frances Logan Merriam papers, 1948-1972

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Merriam, Frances Logan 1899-
Title
Frances Logan Merriam papers
Dates
1948-1972 (inclusive)
Quantity
10.2 linear feet
Collection Number
MC 58
Summary
Frances Merriam (b. 1899) served as the Executive Secretary of the Committee for Paradise Dam, an organization that promoted the construction of the Paradise and Knowles dams in western Montana. Papers (1948-1972) consist primarily of subject files and correspondence concerning the dams and her work in the Montana Democratic Party.
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Biographical Note

Frances Dummer Logan Merriam was born December 24, 1899, in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of William and Ethel Dummer. Frances Dummer attended Francis W. Parker High School in Chicago, graduating in 1917. She entered college at the University of Wisconsin, where she received Phi Beta Kappa honors, and graduated in 1921. Following graduation from college, Frances Dummer taught school for three years in San Diego, California, 1921-1924. In 1926, she was awarded a diploma as a psychiatric social worker from the New York School of Social Work. Shortly thereafter, she returned to her home state and was employed for ten months at the Illinois Institute for Juvenile Research. She continued her work in education while working in the Winnetka, Illinois, public schools as an education counselor, 1926-1931. While employed there, she met and married Simon Rae Logan, then Assistant Superintendent of Schools. The Logans continued living in Winnetka, while raising a son, Francis, and a daughter, Katharine. Mrs. Logan later served as a co-director of the Chicago Metropolitan Council of Civil Defense (Chicago Council of Social Work), 1942-1946. In 1946, when her husband retired, Frances Logan moved with him to a farm/homestead near Charlo, Montana. She remained active in political life, serving as Montana's First District Democratic Congressional Committeewoman, 1962-1964. For three years, she also served as the state's Democratic National Committeewoman. Frances Logan was also a charter member of the Committee for Paradise Dam, an organization that promoted the construction of Paradise and Knowles Dams in western Montana, in 1957, and later served as its Executive Secretary, 1959-1965. Her husband died in 1970, and in 1974 she married Harold G. Merriam, University of Montana English professor emeritus.

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Content Description

The majority of the materials reflect Frances Logan's work as the executive secretary of the Committee for Paradise Dam. Included are subject files containing correspondence, reports, clippings, publications, and miscellany; clippings; and testimony from hearings presented before various congressional committees. These materials are included in the Paradise-Knowles Dams subgroup. The remaining papers are general correspondence (primarily with Lee Metcalf), and subject files relative to Frances Logan's work in the Montana Democratic Party, 1955-1972.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. The Library & Archives does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Library & Archives. Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two subgroups: Frances Logan Merriam and Committee for Paradise Dam. Each subgroup is arranged by series. Some material housed in oversize folder in archives map case. See inventory below for more information.

Location of Collection

4:3-2

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

Processing Note

Processed and deposited through the University of Montana Archives.

Separated Materials

Photographs and selected printed material were transferred from this collection to the Photograph Archives and Library respectively.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Columbia River Treaty (1961)
  • Dams--Montana
  • Electric Power--Montana
  • Electric Utilities--Law and legislation--Montana
  • Federal Government
  • Indians Of North America--Government relations
  • Irrigation--Montana
  • Political parties--Montana
  • Public utilities--Regulation--Montana
  • Rural electrification--Montana
  • Salish Indians
  • Salish Indians--Politics and government

Personal Names

  • Merriam, Frances Logan 1899- (creator)

Geographical Names

  • Buffalo Rapids Project (Mont.)
  • Charlo (Mont.)
  • Hells Canyon Dam (Idaho and Or.)
  • Hungry Horse Dam (Mont.)
  • Kerr Dam (Mont.)
  • Knowles Dam (Mont.)
  • Libby Dam (Mont.)
  • Oregon--Industries
  • Paradise Dam (Mont.)
  • Paradise Irrigation District (Mont.)

Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff; Updated by Aaron Rau
2004; 2024

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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