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Gary Smith papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 132

Scope and Contents

The Gary Milton Smith Collection consists of papers collected and/or written by him. The papers cover roughly the time period between 1965 and 1988. The Smith papers included newspaper clippings, articles, letters to and from various organization or government offices, and transcripts for documentary films in which Smith took part. The music and lyrics for his songs are also among Smith's papers. There are résumés and financial records from both Smith's personal and business (Windsinger Enterprise) life. Manuals and employee information from his work in the National Forest Service and the military are also included in these papers. The collection also contains cassette tapes with recorded interviews, radio programs, telephone conversation, etc.

The Smith collection is notable for the documentation on environment issues from Smith's life such as Kaiparowits, the Salmon River Wilderness Area, and the Escalante Wilderness Area. There is also documentation on wildlife access for disabled persons. Smith's papers also provide information on life in Cache Valley, especially on religious issues. His papers include general religious information from the area, as well as religious freedom issues and religious discrimination cases.

Many of the letters and other papers lack specific dates. The collection is organized alphabetically in files and at times chronologically. Financial papers, class notes, and cassettes are located at the end of the collection. The first part contains most of his personal papers and clippings regarding environmental and religious issues.

  1. SERIES LIST
  2. Box 1-19: Subject Files
  3. Box 20-25: Current Project Files
  4. Box 26-31: Articles and Letters
  5. Box 32-34: Personal Correspondence
  6. Box 35: Canyonlands National Park
  7. Box 36: Information on an Ecology Documentary by ABC Television
  8. Box 37: Thesis: "The Mystery Song"
  9. Box 38-40: Forest Naturalist
  10. Box 41-50: Windsinger Enterprise
  11. Box 51-58: Personal Finances
  12. Box 59: Freedom House
  13. Box 60-62: Red Baron
  14. Box 63-69: Class Notes
  15. Box 70-73: Military Experience
  16. Box 74-76: Miscellaneous Files
  17. Box 77: Oversized Material
  18. Box 78-79: Cassette Tapes
  19. Box 80: Records

Dates

  • Creation: 1960-1984

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Gary Smith Papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Gary Milton Smith was born on 15 March 1943, in Payette, Idaho to Milton F. and Lillian Raby Smith. He attended Idaho State University and Utah State University. He graduated from Utah State University in 1967 and began graduate school the following year where he pursued his degree in Outdoor Recreation, specializing in Environmental Public Affairs. His thesis involved the production of a slide and film promotion presentation on the Mt. Naomi Wilderness Area. In the summer during his university education, as well as after his graduation, Gary worked as a forest ranger, naturalist, and various other positions in national forests and parks.

On 4 July 1969, Gary Milton Smith married Lillian Francuz in Idaho Falls, Idaho. That same year he joined the Marine Corps where he attained the rank of captain. Gary remained on active duty until 1972. As a Marine, Gary served in Quantico, Virginia where he worked as the Associate Editor of the Marine Corps Gazette, was the Special Projects Officer at the Basic School, and designed an exhibit on the Basic School and combat photography. He also served as the Public Affairs Officer in Okinawa, Japan. He graduated from the Department of Informational Defense School in 1970. In 1972, Gary received a Presidential Commendation for outstanding military service.

One of Gary Smith's occupations was as a song writer. He wrote music and lyrics for songs which he used in his jobs with the National Forest Service and his work as an environmentalist. In 1975, Gary published a book about his songs entitled Windsinger. One of his songs, "Dick's Song," was used by CBS in a 60-Minutes program concerning Lake Powell. Gary along with Robert Redford and representative of the Environmental Defense Fund took part in his program.

In 1975, Gary stopped his graduate school training after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He continued, however, writing articles for magazines and newspapers on environmental and social issues. He became active in the Multiple Sclerosis Society, playing benefit concerts on behalf of the organization. In 1979, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society awarded Gary Smith the Patient Achievement Award for his region. Gary also served on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1980, he was recognized as Conservationist of the Year by the Bridgerland Audubon Society, and in 1984, he was given the Bridger Award for Outstanding Service to Conservation by the Natural Resources Department at Utah State University.

In 1981, Gary Smith went back to graduate school and received his Master's of Science in Recreational Resource Management in 1984. His thesis was entitled, "The Mystery Song: A Walk with Masawe." That year he and Lillian divorced. Four years later, on 7 April 1988, Gary Milton Smith died. He was buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Pocatello, Idaho.

Extent

80 boxes (40 linear feet)

Abstract

The main emphasis of the Smith papers concerns environmental issues. Significant blocks of material cover environmental politics, the National Parks of Utah, especially Canyonlands, and the Sawtooth National Primitive area in Idaho.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically and at times chronologically.

Related Materials

Researchers interested in viewing photographs taken by Gary Smith should see USU Special Collections & Archives; PO106: The Gary Smith Photograph Collection.

Processing Information

Processed in March of 2003

Title
Guide to the Gary Smith papers 1960-1984
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Elizabeth Schow
Date
©2012
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)