George Beyer papers

Materials in this collection are divided into three series: personal, historical markers, and miscellaneous.

The personal materials include correspondence to Edna Beyer, George’s mother, from 1944 to 1982, and correspondence of George Beyer, including letters written to his family from Cornell University in 1959. The largest section of correspondence is postcards, most written to his wife, Dana, before their marriage. Diaries include George Beyer’s 1948 journal, and unidentified journals from 1911, 1914, 1917, and 1948; given the dates, they are likely to have been written by one of Beyer’s parents. Beyer liked to create homemade newsletters, which are represented through materials for a Boys and Girls club, 1923-1949. School materials include class notes, papers, and schedules. George Beyer’s scholarship includes research on the Pennsylvania Dutch in Kansas, and two articles about Quakers. There are many listings of radio programs and pamphlets from the Rural Radio Network and WQXR. Scrapbooks include clippings, a handwritten scrapbook of American news, and one featuring birthday and Christmas greetings.

Materials in the historical markers series include information on markers proposed, discussed, and accepted during the years 1985 to 1995. Also included is general information on the marker program, information on changes to the marker signs, and annual reports on the program. There are also two talks by Beyer, “75 Years with the Historical Marker Program” and “Local History: Pitfalls and Opportunities.”

The miscellaneous section includes materials related to the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club historic district, a 1979 Washington and Lincoln exhibit, a John Harris film, and an evaluation of the Huntingdon County Historical Society.