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Richmond history papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 434

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 17 boxes of materials from Richmond’s history, dating from 1880 to 2009. The collection is divided into five categories: Richmond Preservation Society papers; Family and Oral Histories; Richmond and Cache Valley history; Newspaper Clippings; Ephemera and Oversize Items.

The first category (boxes 1-3) contains documentation and correspondence from the Richmond Preservation Society. These materials include census data, photographs, registration forms, proposals, surveys, and other documents pertaining to the preservation of the city's historic buildings and sites. Most of the materials in this category were already organized in the current folders by the City of Richmond prior to donation.

The second category (boxes 4-9) contains family histories, genealogical essays, family records, and oral history interviews (transcripts and tapes). Box 4 and 5 contain seven large family history books while boxes 6 and 7 contain dozens of folders organized alphabetically by last name. Boxes 8 and 9 contain oral history interview tapes (organized alphabetically by last name) that correspond with some of the oral history transcripts in box 7.

The third category (boxes 10-11) contains Richmond history essays and documents (box 10), as well as subject files that cover significant aspects and events of Richmond (box 11). The content of these boxes is organized by general subject (which is indicated by the title of each folder).

The fourth category (boxes 12-14) contains newspaper clippings from various local newspapers (mostly the Herald Journal). Box 12 contains folders of anniversaries, birthday announcements, weddings, and obituaries, all of which are organized alphabetically by last name. Boxes 13 and 14 contain articles published in the Herald Journal that pertain to Richmond or Cache Valley. These are organized chronologically by the date they were published.

The fifth category (boxes 15-17) contains ephemera from around the country, as well as a few oversize items. The ephemera have little to do with Richmond, but belonged to a Richmond resident, Ariel Benson. Box 15 is full of ephemera from around the United States, organized in alphabetical order by location. Box 16 contains various items about World War II and scouting jamborees. Box 17 has a few posters from Black and White Days festivals and a few folders that are organized by subjects such as maps, family trees, and newspaper clippings.

Dates

  • 1880-2009

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 Richmond history papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Agrippa Cooper first settled Richmond, Utah, in 1859 and residents incorporated it as a city on February 26, 1868. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has maintained a significant presence in Richmond since the creation of the town ward in the spring of 1860, though the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Presbyterian Church were active as well, particularly in the late 19th century.

Dairy farming has long been central to the Richmond economy. The city was home to the Sego Milk Plant beginning in 1904, which sold its operations to Western General Dairies, Inc. before its eventual closure. Richmond celebrates this important aspect of its heritage with the Black and White Days festival, held annually since 1913.

On August 30, 1962, at 6:35 a.m., a magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook Richmond. The temblor caused extensive damage to the community, knocking cans off the grocery store shelves, crumbling the parapet walls of the 1914 Carnegie Library, and destroying the front of the 1903 Benson Stake Tabernacle. The Church razed the condemned tabernacle and built a new Benson Stake Center, dedicating it in 1964.

In 1974 Pepperidge Farm opened a plant in Richmond, which produced over 1 million cases of Goldfish crackers a year and employed more than 400 workers as of 2011. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the community boasted a population of 2,470.

Extent

17 boxes (9.5 linear feet)

Abstract

The collection consists of 17 boxes of materials from Richmond’s history, dating from 1880 to 2009. It is divided into five categories: Richmond Preservation Society Papers; Family and Oral Histories; Richmond and Cache Valley History; Newspaper Clippings; Ephemera and Oversize Items.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into five categories: Richmond Preservation Society papers; Family and Oral Histories; Richmond and Cache Valley history; Newspaper Clippings; Ephemera and Oversize Items.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by the City of Richmond in 2009.

Processing Information

Processed in November of 2012

Title
Guide to the Richmond history papers 1880-2009
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Keaton Reed and Clint Pumphrey
Date
©2013
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)