Dorothy Zackrison Mortensen (1916-2014) was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 30, 1916 to Afton Randall and John Waldemar Zackrison. In 1933, she graduated from Granite High School. In 1936, she married Melvin L. Summerhays (1913-1999); they were later divorced. In 1963, she married Arlington Russell Mortensen (1911-1995). Dorothy Mortensen had four children and six stepchildren. An avid reader and scholar, Mortensen pursued college education through night classes for many years while raising her children and maintaining a day job. In 1968, at the age of 51, Mortensen graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor degree in History. Mortensen was the Managing Editor of Publications at the Utah State Historical Society. From 1970 to 1976, she worked in the correspondence section of the White House staff. During this time, she served as writer and editor for the President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
Dorothy Z. Mortensen died on December 29, 2014.
The Dorothy Mortensen photograph collection consists of 1 box containing 89 black-and-white and color photographs and color slides depicting Mortsen's family and acquaintances. The images also document Mortensen's work for the Utah State Historical Society and for the Nixon Administration, including her service on the President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The collection dates from approximately 1970 to 2009.
Arranged by subject
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Dorothy Mortensen photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Donated by Carol Jean Summerhays in 2017.
Processed by Special Collections staff.
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Forms part of the