Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
MS 14
Louise L. Parker (1886-1980)
Papers, 1933-1980, undated
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Parker, Louise L. (1886-1980) |
| title: | Papers |
| dates: | 1933-1980, undated |
| extent: | 0.21 linear feet (1 half-document box) |
| collection number: | MS 14 |
| repository: | Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Louise L. Parker Papers, MS 14, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Biographical note
Ida Louise Lange was born in Muskegon, Michigan, on 11 March 1886. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Liberal Arts and Library Science. After graduation she became assistant librarian at Armour Institute, Chicago, Illinois. In 1910 she went to Des Moines, Iowa, to become a member of the staff of the Iowa Library Commission. On June 22, 1912, Louise Lange married Addison M. Parker, a Des Moines attorney; they had four children. Louise Parker was appointed to the State Conservation Commission by Governor Krashel in April 1937 and served until June 1949. At this time she was appointed by Governor Beardsley to be a member of the Iowa Natural Resources Council for a four year term. As well as being a member of the State Conservation Commission she served as president of the Des Moines Garden Club, was a member of the Iowa Academy of Science, Grassland Foundation, and the Ecological Society of America. As a member of the Iowa Conservation Commission, Mrs. Parker's principal interests were conservation education, prairie preserves and Indian mounds. Following the termination of her official Conservation memberships, Mrs. Parker returned to her former professional interest as a librarian. In 1951 she became the Librarian of the Des Moines Art Center Library where she served until her retirement in 1968. Louise Parker was a member of the Des Moines Women's Club and was on the Conservation Committee of the State Federation of Womens Clubs. She was also a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa, Iowa Society for the Preservation of Historic Landmarks (Charter member), Proteus Club (Des Moines), Des Moines Founders Garden Club, Garden Club of America, Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Center of Science and Industry. Louise L. Parker died in Des Moines on 24 November 1980. |
Collection description
The collection (1933-1980, undated) contains correspondence; writings, including letters to editors, speeches, reports, and articles; printed materials; biographical material; news articles related to the Iowa Conservation Commission; memorabilia; and printed material. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Correspondence: Incoming and outgoing |
1944-1965, undated |
1 |
2 |
Writings, includes statements to editors, speeches, reports and articles |
1946-1972, undated |
1 |
3 |
Memorabilia: Includes programs for park and memorial dedications (Effigy Mounds National Monument; Conservation Training Center, Springbrook State Park; Bruce Stiles Memorial, Waubonsie State Park), newsletters from conservation and historic preservation groups, and news clippings |
1960-1970, undated |
1 |
4 |
"The Iowa Conservation Plan," includes county maps showing location of parks and lakes with appropriate legends |
1933 |
1 |
5 |
New articles from Des Moines Register regarding Mrs. Parker's statements concerning the "intolerable condition" under which the State Conservation Commission had been working (see folder 1 for related correspondence) |
1947 |
1 |
6 |
Biographical material |
1947-1980, undated |