Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 5/6/22
Ray Stewart (1918-2003)
Papers, 1946-1955


Descriptive summary

creator:

Stewart, Ray (1918-2003)

title:

Papers

dates:

1946-1955

extent:

0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)

collection number:

RS 5/6/22

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Ray Stewart Papers, RS 5/6/22, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

Ray Stewart was born in Princeton, West Virginia, on November 28, 1918.  After graduating from Princeton High School in 1937, he worked for the Celanese Corporation of Virginia before serving with the U.S. Navy during World War II as an aircraft radio technician.  After the war, Stewart earned his bachelor's degree from Denver University (speech/radio major, 1950) before going on to finish his Master's at Syracuse University, graduating from the first Radio and Television Master's degree sequence (1951). 

Funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation's Fund for Adult Education, Stewart was hired by WOI-TV as a television producer/director early in 1952.  His first assignment was to serve as researcher, cinematographer, and narrator as well as film editor and scriptwriter for a production that was originally titled "Know Your State Institutions," but was eventually broadcast under the name "In Our Care." "In Our Care," a 13-week series of documentaries filmed inside Iowa's mental hospitals, prisons and other institutions, which was awarded the National Sylvania Television Award for Production Excellence.

In 1955, Stewart left WOI-TV to accept a position as public relations director of the Iowa Medical Society, where he worked on the first-ever filming of an open-heart surgery.   Two years later, Stewart moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where he worked as Public Affairs Director for WHTN-TV.  In 1959, he took another public relations director position, this time with WIIC (WPXI-TV) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Following his work there, Stewart worked as an independent film producer and photographer until his retirement at age 65.

Ray Stewart married Emily Trent on June 7, 1942.  They had five children: Tom, Jim, Pam, Dave, and Ron.  Emily passed away in 1989. Ray passed away on July 22, 2003.

 

Collection description

This collection consists of production notes, scripts, and set plans for two series produced by Ray Stewart for WOI-TV: "In Our Care" and "The 11th Commandment."  Both series looked at state and private institutions caring for disabled, physically or mentally ill individuals, convicted criminals, juvenile delinquents, and unwed expectant mothers.

 

Organization

This collection is arranged chronologically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

WOI Programming Records

1946-1953

1

2

"In Our Care" Woodward State Hospital and School for the Feeble-Minded

1952

1

3

"In Our Care" Clarinda and Independence Mental Health Institutions

1952

1

4

"In Our Care" Cherokee and Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institutions

1952

1

5

"In Our Care" Fort Madison Penitentiary

1952

1

6

"In Our Care" Rockwell City Women's Reformatory

1952

1

7

"In Our Care" Anamosa Men's Reformatory

1952

1

8

"In Our Care" Marshalltown Soldier's Home

1952

1

9

"In Our Care" Vinton School for the Blind

1952

1

10

"In Our Care" Oakdale Tuberculosis Sanitarium

1952

1

11

"In Our Care" Introductory Program

1952

1

12

"In Our Care" Anne Wittenmyer Home

1952

1

13

"In Our Care" Mitchellville Training School for Girls

1952

1

14

"In Our Care" Toledo State Juvenile Home

1952

1

15

"In Our Care" Eldora Training School Boys

1952

1

16

"In Our Care" Glenwood State School for the Feeble-Minded

1952

2

1

"In Our Care" Labels and Schedules Booklet, Award, and Cost

1952

2

2

"In Our Care" Floor Plans

1952-1953

2

3

Public Service Polio Program

1953

2

4

"In Our Care" Cerebral Palsy

1953

2

5

Juvenile Delinquency—The 11th Commandment

1954-1955

2

6

Booth—11th Commandment

1955

2

7

Iowa State Penitentiary—11th Commandment

1955

2

8

11th Commandment—Iowa Children's Home Society, "The Adopted Child"

1955

2

9

Mental Health—11th Commandment (1 of 2)

1955

2

10

Mental Health—11th Commandment (2 of 2)

1955