Frank G. Dennis papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.265

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Frank G. Dennis papers consist of articles and biographical information about, and awards given to Frank G. Dennis, Stanley Johnston, and Sylvan Wittwer who were members of the Horticulture Department at Michigan State University (MSU). There is also information regarding the history of horticulture at MSU. Records include materials about Sylvan Wittwer used by Dennis to write his book and a copy of the poem “Ode to Cyclone” written by Dennis. The collection also includes a number of interviews conducted by Frank Dennis. Those interviewed include Harold Tukey, Robert Herner, Carter Harrison, Lowell Ewart, and Walter Toenjes.

The collection also includes audio recordings of interviews of Liberty Hyde Bailey. The recordings were made 1951–1952 and the interviewer was George Lawrence. The original recordings are at Cornell University and they collaborated with the MSU Museum to make copies. There are also notes about the history of the tapes and a transcript of the interviews. These interviews are also at the Vincent Voice Library on the MSU campus. Interested researchers should contact the Vincent Voice Library first for access.

Also included is the book "Growing Up During the Great Depression and My Life Thereafter" (2009) by William Collingwood Johnston, son of Stanley Johnston. It includes chapters about the South Haven Experiment Station and Stanley Johnston, the Experiment Station's superintendent.

Dates

Creation: 1957 - 2008

Creator

Dennis, F. G. (Frank George), 1932- (Person)
Wittwer, S. H. (Sylvan Harold), 1917-2012 (Person)

Restrictions

Collection is open for research. Materials should be reviewed by an archivist for possible restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

Frank G. Dennis spent 28 years in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University as a pomology teacher and researcher (1968-1996). He was also considered the unofficial historian of the department gathering historical records and audio recordings of prominent fruit growers and researchers.

Extent

1 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.

Note: It is not known if the donor had permission to donate these Liberty Hyde Bailey interviews to the archives.