Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 13/12/4
Iowa State University
Department of History
National History Day in Iowa Records, 1978-1993, n.d.
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Iowa State University. Department of History |
| title: | National History Day in Iowa Records |
| dates: | 1978-1993 |
| extent: | 4.99 linear ft. (9 document boxes, 1 half-document box, and 2 card file boxes) |
| collection number: | RS 13/12/4 |
| repository: | University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Iowa State University, Department of History, National History Day in Iowa Records, RS 13/12/4, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Historical note
National History Day is a competition in which students in grades 6-12 select a topic in history and construct projects in one of five categories: documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Over 600,000 students compete annually at local, regional, and state contests and at the national competition held at the University of Maryland. The History Day program began in 1974 at Case Western Reserve University. By 1979, the contest had spread to the rest of Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and the Chicago metro area, and the first national contest was held in Ohio. The program continued to spread to other states and took on the name National History Day. The mission of National History Day is to provide students with opportunities to learn historical content and develop research, thinking, and communication skills through the study of history and to provide educators with resources and training to enhance classroom teaching. Clair Keller, professor of early American history and social studies methods at Iowa State University, served as state coordinator from the program's inception in Iowa in 1979 through the transfer of the program to the State Historical Society of Iowa in 1993-1994. Keller also served on the National History Day Board of Trustees. As state coordinator, Keller was in charge of the program in Iowa, overseeing the district coordinators and organizing the state contest, held annually at Iowa State University. He also planned and chaperoned the annual trip to the historical sites of Gettysburg, PA; Washington, D.C.; and several sites in Virginia for Iowa students advancing to the national competition at the University of Maryland. |
Collection description
This collection (1978-1993, n.d.) contains correspondence, programs, publications, and competition results during the time period in which Clair Keller was Director of History Day in Iowa. The collection also includes press releases, planning materials, photographs, slides, and audio and video recordings from district, state, and national competitions. The slides and photographs show participants working on History Day projects and some of the finished projects displayed at the state contest. The audio recordings are mostly a resource used to introduce students to History Day and explain the kinds of projects that are expected and how to go about researching. The Focus on ISU recording in box 12 includes a partial interview with Clair Keller. The videotapes include footage from Iowa History Day 1981, a home video of the national contest in 1992, and a performance and interview of the national winners for group performance in 1986. |
Organization
The collection is organized into two series: |
Description of series
| Series 1 | Records |
1978-1993 |
| extent: | 3.15 linear ft. |
|
| description: | Materials include Keller's correspondence files as well as programs, publications, and results related to district, state, and national competitions. The collection also includes press releases and planning materials for the state and district contests. This series is organized chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
District Contest Materials |
1978-1979 |
1 |
2 |
Iowa History/Social Studies Fair |
1978-1979 |
1 |
3 |
Samples of Student Projects |
1978-1979 |
1 |
4 |
Participating Teachers |
1978-1980 |
1 |
5 |
State Contest |
1978-1980 |
1 |
6 |
Financial Support: American Legion |
1978-1982 |
1 |
7 |
Press Kit |
1978-1988 |
1 |
8 |
Interoffice Communication: Payroll |
1979 |
1 |
9 |
Materials from First National History Day |
1979 |
1 |
10 |
National and State Contests: Printed Materials |
1979-1980 |
1 |
11 |
News Clippings and Press Releases |
1979-1980 |
1 |
12 |
State Contest: Handouts |
1979-1980 |
1 |
13 |
Teacher Workshops |
1979-1980 |
1 |
14 |
Iowa Council for the Social Studies Newsletter |
1979-1981 |
1 |
15 |
National History Day Office Correspondence and Reports |
1979-1981 |
1 |
16 |
History Day in Iowa Proclamation (3- 8x10" b/w photographs) |
1980 |
1 |
17 |
National History Day Program: "The Individual in History" |
1980 |
1 |
18 |
Correspondence to State Coordinators |
1980-1981 |
2 |
8-9 |
Correspondence: Susan Franzen, State Coordinator |
1981 |
2 |
1 |
Financial Support: Meredith Foundation |
1980-1981 |
2 |
2 |
National Board of Trustees Correspondence and Minutes |
1980-1981 |
2 |
3 |
News Clippings and Press Releases |
1980-1981 |
2 |
4 |
Slide Show and Videotape Orders and Correspondence |
1980-1981 |
2 |
5 |
Teacher Evaluations |
1980-1981 |
2 |
6 |
History Day Tips from Past Coordinators |
1980-1989 |
2 |
7 |
Correspondence |
1981 |
2 |
10 |
District Final Reports and Related Correspondence |
1981 |
2 |
11 |
Final Project Report |
1981 |
2 |
12 |
Information from State Coordinators Meeting |
1981 |
2 |
13 |
Itinerary for National History Day Trip/ Participants |
1981 |
2 |
14 |
Judging Criteria and Teacher/Student Guide |
1981 |
2 |
15 |
National History Day Program: "Americans at Work and Leisure" |
1981 |
2 |
16 |
Notes, Reports, and Correspondence |
1981 |
2 |
17 |
Financial Information |
1981-1982 |
2 |
18 |
Letters from Teachers and Students |
1981-1983 |
3 |
2-3 |
National History Day: State Coordinator Correspondence, Bulletins, and Reports |
1981-1983 |
3 |
1 |
Media Contacts and Correspondence |
1981-1983 |
3 |
4 |
Correspondence |
1981-1984 |
3 |
5 |
Correspondence with District Coordinators |
1981-1985 |
3 |
6 |
Criteria and Suggestions for History Day Participants |
1982 |
3 |
7 |
District Contests: Results |
1982 |
3 |
8 |
National History Day Program: "Trade and Industry in History" |
1982 |
3 |
9 |
National History Day: Brochures |
1982 |
3 |
10 |
State Contest: Judges, Program, Handouts, and Helpers |
1982 |
3 |
11 |
Washington, D.C., Trip (2- 7x9 b/w and 3- 8x10 color photographs) |
1982-1984 |
3 |
12 |
State Contest: Judges |
1982-1985 |
3 |
13 |
State Contest: Programs and Related Information |
1982-1986 |
3 |
14 |
Financial Support: Correspondence |
1982-1992 |
4 |
1 |
Information to State Participants |
1983 |
4 |
2 |
Iowa History Day Proclamation |
1983 |
4 |
3 |
National History Day Program: "Turning Points in History" |
1983 |
4 |
4 |
District Contests: Correspondence, Programs, and Results |
1983-1985 |
4 |
5 |
Iowa History Day: General Information |
1983-1985 |
4 |
6 |
National Contest: Participant Information |
1983-1985 |
4 |
7 |
District and State Contests: Correspondence and Programs |
1983-1986 |
4 |
8 |
District Contest Information |
1983-1986 |
4 |
9 |
News Clippings |
1983-1991 |
4 |
10 |
National History Day Program: "Family and Community in History" |
1984 |
4 |
11 |
State Contest: Maps and Information |
1984 |
4 |
12 |
Correspondence |
1985 |
4 |
13 |
Correspondence: Lois Scharf |
1985 |
4 |
14 |
National History Day Program: "Triumphs and Tragedies in History" |
1985 |
4 |
15 |
State Contest: Results and Evaluations |
1985 |
4 |
16 |
National Contest: Participants, Newletter, Listing of State Coordinators |
1985-1986 |
4 |
17 |
National Contest: Student Information Packet |
1985-1988 |
4 |
18 |
Correspondence |
1986 |
4 |
19 |
National Contest Information |
1986 |
4 |
20 |
National History Day Program: "Conflicts and Compromises in History" |
1986 |
4 |
21 |
State Winners List (2- 4x6 b/w photographs) |
1986-1987 |
4 |
22 |
National Contest: Guides and Information |
1986-1988 |
4 |
23 |
Iowa History Day Brochure |
1987 |
4 |
24 |
National Contest: Student Information Packet |
1987 |
4 |
25 |
National History Day Program: "Liberty: Rights and Responsibilities in History" |
1987 |
5 |
1 |
Scholarship Winners |
1987-1990 |
5 |
2 |
Bus Trip Participant List |
1988 |
5 |
3 |
Bus Trip to Washington, D.C. |
1988 |
5 |
4 |
Correspondence of National Office |
1988 |
5 |
5 |
Correspondence to District Winners |
1988 |
5 |
6 |
Correspondence to State Winners from National Office |
1988 |
5 |
7 |
Correspondence with District Coordinators |
1988 |
5 |
8 |
Correspondence: Room Reservations for State Contest |
1988 |
5 |
9 |
Judges' Handbook and Information Packet |
1988 |
5 |
10 |
Letters to Dr. Clair Keller |
1988 |
5 |
11 |
National Contest Information |
1988 |
5 |
12 |
National History Day Fact Sheet |
1988 |
5 |
13 |
National History Day Program: "Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas" |
1988 |
5 |
14 |
News Clippings |
1988 |
5 |
15 |
State Contest: Entries |
1988 |
5 |
16 |
State Contest: Participants and Programs |
1988 |
5 |
17 |
State Contest: Program and Poster |
1988 |
5 |
18 |
State Contest: Winners |
1988 |
5 |
19 |
Student Guides and Sugestions |
1988 |
5 |
20 |
Teacher Information Packet |
1988 |
5 |
21 |
District Coordinator Information |
1988-1989 |
5 |
22 |
History Guides and Information |
1988-1989 |
5 |
23 |
Press and Media Coverage |
1988-1989 |
5 |
24 |
Special Topic Announcement |
1988-1989 |
5 |
25 |
Bus Trip Suggestions and Notes |
1988-1992 |
5 |
26 |
Bus Trip Attractions |
1989 |
5 |
27 |
Bus Trip Schedule and Information |
1989 |
5 |
28 |
Complaints about State Contest |
1989 |
5 |
29 |
Correspondence: Ben Stone, State Coordinator |
1989 |
5 |
30 |
District Contests: Correspondence to State Qualifiers |
1989 |
6 |
1 |
Estimated Trip Expenses |
1989 |
6 |
2 |
Judging Form |
1989 |
6 |
3 |
National History Day Program: "The Individual in History" |
1989 |
6 |
4 |
National Winners |
1989 |
6 |
5 |
News Clippings and Press Releases |
1989 |
6 |
6 |
State Contest: Information and Master List |
1989 |
6 |
7 |
State Contest: Judging Materials |
1989 |
6 |
8 |
State Contest: Registration Lists |
1989 |
6 |
9 |
State Contest: Results |
1989 |
6 |
10 |
State Winner Information Packet |
1989 |
6 |
11 |
Correspondence |
1989-1990 |
6 |
12 |
Correspondence from National Headquarters |
1989-1990 |
6 |
13 |
Correspondence: Reservation Requests |
1989-1990 |
6 |
14 |
Press Release about History Day |
1989-1990 |
6 |
15 |
Article: "History Day: A Teacher's First Choice," by Clair Keller |
1990 |
6 |
16 |
Correspondence: Fund Raising |
1990 |
6 |
17 |
District Contest: Programs |
1990 |
6 |
18 |
District Contest: Winner Information Packet |
1990 |
6 |
19 |
District Contest: Winners List |
1990 |
6 |
20 |
District Coordinator Meetings |
1990 |
6 |
21 |
National Contest: Capitol Tour Day Trip |
1990 |
6 |
22 |
National Contest: Colonial Williamsburg Day Trip |
1990 |
6 |
23 |
National Contest: Entry List |
1990 |
6 |
24 |
National Contest: Letter to Bus Riders |
1990 |
6 |
25 |
National Contest: News Clippings and Notes |
1990 |
6 |
26 |
National Contest: Preparations for Washington, D.C., Trip |
1990 |
6 |
27 |
National Contest: Special Awards and Sponsors |
1990 |
6 |
28 |
National Contest: Trivia Questions for Bus Riders |
1990 |
6 |
29 |
National History Day Program: "Science and Technology in History" |
1990 |
6 |
30 |
National History Day: Themed Poster |
1990 |
6 |
31 |
News Clippings |
1990 |
6 |
32 |
Press Kit from National Headquarters |
1990 |
7 |
1 |
Publication: "A Decade of National History Day: 1980-1990" includes national winners list for 1990 |
1990 |
7 |
2 |
Returned District Information Forms |
1990 |
7 |
3 |
State Contest: Judging Forms |
1990 |
7 |
4 |
State Contest: Judging Forms and Participant Lists |
1990 |
7 |
5 |
State Contest: Participant List and Programs |
1990 |
7 |
6 |
State Contest: Project Information |
1990 |
7 |
7 |
State Contest: Trophy Lists |
1990 |
7 |
8 |
State Contest: Winner Information Packet |
1990 |
7 |
9 |
District Contest: Participants |
1991 |
7 |
10 |
District Contest: Winner Information Packet |
1991 |
7 |
11 |
Helpers for History Day |
1991 |
7 |
12 |
Introductory Project Guide |
1991 |
7 |
13 |
Judging Forms and Assignment Sheets |
1991 |
7 |
14 |
National Contest: Gettysburg and Williamsburg Tours |
1991 |
7 |
15 |
National Contest: Participants and Entry List |
1991 |
7 |
16 |
National Contest: Winners List |
1991 |
7 |
17 |
National History Day Program: "Rights in History" |
1991 |
7 |
18 |
National History Day: Poster |
1991 |
7 |
19 |
News Clippings |
1991 |
7 |
20 |
Newsletter: NHD News |
1991 |
7 |
21 |
Scholarship List |
1991 |
7 |
22 |
State Contest: Master List of Participants |
1991 |
7 |
23 |
State Contest: Participant List |
1991 |
7 |
24 |
State Contest: Program |
1991 |
7 |
25 |
State Contest: Trophy Winners |
1991 |
7 |
26 |
State Contest: T-Shirt Designs |
1991 |
7 |
27 |
State Coordinators |
1991 |
7 |
28 |
Correspondence and Goals for State Coordinators |
1991-1992 |
7 |
29 |
General Correspondence |
1991-1992 |
7 |
30 |
History Day Theme Information |
1991-1992 |
7 |
31 |
Correspondence with District Coordinators |
1992 |
7 |
32 |
Description in VEISHEA Program |
1992 |
7 |
33 |
District Contests: Winner Information Packet |
1992 |
7 |
34 |
District Contests: Winners List |
1992 |
7 |
35 |
District Coordinators List |
1992 |
8 |
1 |
National Contest: Participants and Entry List |
1992 |
8 |
2 |
National History Day Program: "Discovery, Encounter, Exchange in History: The Seeds of Change" |
1992 |
8 |
3 |
Scholarship Winners |
1992 |
8 |
4 |
State Contest: Program, Judging Instructions, and Maps |
1992 |
8 |
5 |
State Contest: Room Assignments and Schedules |
1992 |
8 |
6 |
State Contest: Winner Information Packet |
1992 |
8 |
7 |
State Contest: Winners and Information |
1992 |
8 |
8 |
State Contest: Winners, Rooms, and Programs |
1992 |
8 |
9 |
Correspondence with District Coordinators |
1992-1993 |
8 |
10 |
Directors' Correspondence |
1992-1993 |
8 |
11 |
Letters to Dr. Clair Keller |
1992-1993 |
8 |
12 |
News Clippings and Publicity |
1992-1993 |
8 |
13 |
Correspondence from National Headquarters |
1993 |
8 |
14 |
District Contests: Winner Information Packet |
1993 |
8 |
15 |
National History Day Theme |
1993 |
8 |
16 |
State Contest: Judges' Information |
1993 |
8 |
17 |
State Contest: Participant List |
1993 |
8 |
18 |
State Contest: Participants and Room Assignments |
1993 |
8 |
19 |
State Contest: Room Layouts, Programs, and Maps |
1993 |
Description of series
| Series 2 | Photographic and Audio/Visual Material |
1978-1992, n.d. |
| extent: | 1.84 linear ft. |
|
| description: | This series contains photographs and audio and video recordings of participants of Iowa History Day. The slides and photographs show participants working on History Day projects and some of the finished projects displayed at the state contest. The audio recordings are mostly a resource used to introduce students to History Day and explain the kinds of projects that are expected and how to go about researching. The Focus on ISU recording in box 12 includes a partial interview with Clair Keller. The videotapes include footage from Iowa History Day 1981, a home video of the national contest in 1992, and a performance and interview of the national winners for group performance in 1986. This series is listed chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
9 |
10 |
Slides: History Day Participants and Displays (58 slides) |
1978 |
9 |
11 |
Slides: History Day Activities at Ames High School (40 slides) |
1978-1979 |
12 |
|
Audiotape (cassette): Focus on ISU, "History Day" |
1979 |
9 |
12 |
Slides: History Day Participants and Displays (63 slides) |
1979 |
10 |
1 |
Slides: History Day (100 slides) |
1979-1980 |
9 |
13 |
Slides: Miscellaneous Images Prepared for History Day (17 slides) |
1979-1980 |
12 |
|
Audiotape (cassette): "History Day '80, The Individual in History" |
1980 |
12 |
|
Audiotape (reel-to-reel): "History Day '80, The Individual in History" |
1980 |
10 |
2 |
Slides: History Day (100 slides) |
1980 |
12 |
|
Audiotape (cassette): "History/Social Studies Fair (Research Sources)" |
1980 ca. |
12 |
|
Audiotape (reel-to-reel): "History/Social Studies Fair (Research Sources)" |
1980 ca. |
12 |
|
Audiotape (reel-to-reel): "History/Social Studies Fair" Mixed Master |
1980 ca. |
12 |
|
Audiotape (reel-to-reel): "History/Social Studies Fair" Promotional Spot |
1980 ca. |
11 |
|
Videotape (3/4"): Iowa History Day 1981 |
1981 |
11 |
|
Videotape (3/4"): Iowa History Day 1981 Footage |
1981 |
8 |
20 |
Photographs: Participants and National Contest Displays (30- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1982-1990 |
8 |
21 |
Photographs: Participants and National Contest Displays (15- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1986 |
11 |
|
Videotape (1/2"): National History Day Winners for Group Performance; Includes Interview with the Three Students |
1986 |
8 |
22 |
Photographs: National Contest Participants with Iowa Senators (2- 8x10 b/w and 4- 8x10 color photographs) |
1986-1992 |
8 |
23 |
Photographs: National Contest Displays and Participants (33- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1987 |
8 |
24 |
Photographs: National Contest Displays and Participants (35- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1987 |
8 |
25 |
Photographs: National Contest Displays and Participants (48- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1987 |
9 |
1 |
Photographs: State Contest Participants (13- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1987 |
9 |
2 |
Photographs: National Contest Washington, D.C., Trip (27- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 |
9 |
3 |
Photographs: National Contest Washington, D.C., Trip (27- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 |
9 |
4 |
Photographs: National Contest Washington, D.C., Trip (27- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 |
9 |
5 |
Photographs: National Contest Washington, D.C., Trip (27- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 |
9 |
6 |
Photographs: National History Day Projects and Participants (23- 3.5x5 color photographs) |
1990 |
9 |
7 |
Photographs: National Contest Projects and Participants (15- 4x6 color photographs) |
1991 |
9 |
8 |
Photographs: National Contest Projects and Participants (48- 3x5 color and 1 b/w 4x6 photographs) |
1991 |
11 |
|
Videotape (1/2): National History Day Contest and Tour of Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg |
1992 |
9 |
9 |
Photographs: Student Winners (3- 4x6 b/w, 1- 1x10 b/w, 1- 1x5.5 b/w, and 2- 1x5 b/w photographs) |
n.d. |