View XML QR Code

J. S. Palen collection, circa 1863-1998

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Palen, J. S. (Joseph S.), 1912-1996
Title
J. S. Palen collection
Dates
circa 1863-1998 (inclusive)
Quantity
50.93 cubic ft. (79 document boxes, 4 F17 boxes, 3 F21 boxes, 6 F24 boxes, 3 F41 boxes, and framed pictures/artifacts)
Collection Number
10472
Summary
The collection contains materials accumulated by Palen on the American west, particularly Cheyenne Frontier Days and rodeos. The collection includes souvenir programs, newsclippings, schedules and brochures, commemorative envelopes, publications, scrapbooks and photographs of the C.B. Irwin family who were associated with Frontier Days; photographs and postcards of parades and rodeos, and memorabilia relating to Cheyenne Frontier Days, 1884-1998, and its affiliated organizations, the Old West Museum and the Heels.
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
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Return to Top

Historical Note

Joseph S. Palen (1912-1996) was born in Salina, Kansas, the son of a mule and horse rancher. He spent his childhood in Kansas and received a degree in Veterinary Science in 1939. Palen served in the armed forces as a meat inspector before moving to Wyoming as the resident veterinarian for the Wyoming Hereford Ranch in 1946. Palen went into private practice in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1950. In addition to collecting, Palen was involved with the Old West Museum in Cheyenne and with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Palen married Ruth Jackson in 1940 and they have two sons, Gene and "Stampede" Cartoonist Jerry Palen.

J.S. Palen was fascinated with "cowboy culture" from an early age and began his collection while still a boy. Over the years Palen's collection grew to the point that historians, museum curators, and collectors sought him out for his knowledge and expertise. Palen was, as well, a writer on rodeo history and received the Rodeo Historical Society's prestigious history award from the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Return to Top

Content Description

The J. S. Palen collection is the culmination of over half a century of research and collecting in the American West. Palen was primarily interested in the history of Rodeo, especially the Cheyenne Frontier Days, and the materials relating to the Frontier Days is the most complete portion of the collection. It includes nearly all of the souvenir programs, most of the official programs, several pins/buttons/watch fobs, thousands of newspaper clippings, and hundreds of photographs. There is also a wealth of information about other rodeos, the history of rodeo and its participants.

Palen was also very interested in Western Art. There is information about Charles Russell, J.R. Williams and Will James, though most of the original artwork still resides with the Palen family. Palen also collected items relating to Wyoming and its history. There is a good deal of material about the Wyoming Hereford Ranch. In addition, there are hundreds of saddle/western catalogs in the collection.

There is relatively little information relating to J.S. Palen himself. The collection does include some of his correspondence and some biographical material, however.

Most of the books and many of the artifacts, including the saddles, bits, spurs, and original artwork that Palen accumulated over the years stayed with his family.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

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

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, J. S. Palen collection, circa 1863-1998, Collection Number 10472, 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~77~77.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by J. S. Palen at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The J.S. Palen collection was acquired by the American Heritage Center in four accretions during 1996-1997 from the Palen family.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Monte G. Kniffen in March 1999.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Cattle trade--West (U.S.)
  • Cattle trade--Wyoming.
  • Rodeos--West (U.S.)
  • Rodeos--Wyoming--Cheyenne.
  • Rodeos--Wyoming.

Personal Names

  • James, Will, 1892-1942.
  • Russell, Charles M. (Charles Marion), 1864-1926.
  • Williams, James Robert, 1888-1957.

Corporate Names

  • Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Geographical Names

  • Wyoming--History--1890-1918.
  • Wyoming--History--1919-1945.
  • Wyoming--History--1946-
  • Wyoming--History--To 1889.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Artifacts.
  • Photographs.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Works of art.

Occupations

  • Veterinarians.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Irwin, Charles Burton.

    Corporate Names

    • Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum.
    • Warren Live Stock Company.
    • Wyoming Hereford Ranch.

    Family Names

    • Irwin family.

Processed by Monte G. Kniffen
2006

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

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...