Wyoming State Archives
Collection Summary | ||
| Title | Guide to the Wyoming State Council for National Defense Records | |
| Dates (Inclusive) | 1917-1919, 1941-1942 | |
| Creator | Wyoming State Council of Defense | |
| Abstract | Wyoming State Council for National Defense records as maintained by the Wyoming State Archives consist of general corespondence, cirulars, membership lists, minutes, and reports | |
| Collection Number | RG0223 | |
| Size | .5 cubic foot (1 box) | |
| Repository | Wyoming State Archives | |
| Languages | English | |
The Wyoming Council for National Defense was organized on April 27, 1917, to assist the federal Council of National Defense in carrying out its work to coordinate resources and industry in support of the war effort, including the coordination of transportation, industrial and farm production, financial support for the war, and public morale. The Council was headquartered in the Senate Chambers of the Wyoming State Capitol Building. Several committees were organized, including the War History Committee, Woman's Committee, Publicity Committee, Americanization Committee, and Motor Transport Committee.
The War History Committee was organized in August 1918 "for the purpose of collecting and preserving all historical materials relative to Wyoming's participation in the World War" and chaired by State Librarian Agnes Wright Spring. Local chapters were organized in each county. Early efforts were concentrated on compiling service records for men from Wyoming since, according to their report, the Federal Government did not keep soldiers and sailors records by state.
The Woman's Division assisted in organizing war work efforts on the home front, including nursing registration, food production and home economics, food administration, women in industry, child welfare, maintenance of existing social service agencies, health and recreation, educational propaganda, liberty loans, home and foreign relief, the US Student Nurse Reserve, and legislation.
The Publicity Committee oversaw the promotion of war work efforts in local newspapers and to publicize drives by various service organizations and the United War Work Campaign (UWWC). The UWWC, organized in 1918, was a joint campaign of the seven welfare societies: National War Work Council of the Young Men’s Christian Associations, War Work Council of the National Board of the Young Women’s Christian Associations, National Catholic War Council (Knights of Columbus), Jewish Welfare Board, War Camp Community Service, American Library Association, and the Salvation Army.
Starting in 1917, the Four Minute Men society organized local volunteers to give four-minute long speeches at movie theaters during the breaks for reel changes. The federal Committee on Public Information (CPI) would provide talking point for topics related to civil defense programs and how individuals could contribute to the war effort. Though many of the volunteers were men, women, including Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, also spoke. The program ended on December 24, 1918.
In Anticipating the United States' entry into World War II, the national Civil Defense organization was established by Executive Order to facilitate co-operation between federal, state and local war programs and efforts and to organize volunteer defense workers. The Wyoming Legislature created the State Council of Defense in February 1941, under the command of the Wyoming Adjutant General’s Office. At the Council's first meeting April 29-30, 1941, the eleven members present elected Col. Goelet Gallatin chair and Col. R.L. Esmay secretary, though Col. Esmay was soon functioning as an executive vice-chairman. The Wyoming State Council for Defense continued to operate after the end of WWII, becoming the Emergency
The collection is divided into two series including: World War I, and World War II.
Wyoming State Council for National Defense records document war efforts on the home front in Wyoming. This small collection includes some basic administrative records such as general correspondence, membership lists, minutes, reports and ciruculars.
There are no known access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Item description, RG0223, Wyoming State Council for National Defense records, Wyoming State Archives.
The collection was processed by Wyoming State Archives staff
RG0001.19, Governor John B. Kendrick Papers, Wyoming State Archives.
RG0001.20, Governor Frank Houx Papers, Wyoming State Archives.
RG0007, Wyoming Adjutant General Records, Wyoming State Archives.
940.4 U58, "Four Minute Men Bulletins," Committee on Public Information, bound, 1917-1918, Wyoming State Archives.
Carey, Robert D. (Robert Davis), 1878-1937
Esmay, R. L. (Rhondolph Leslie), 1898-1965
Hebard, Grace Raymond, 1861-1936
United War Work Campaign, Inc.. Wyoming Division
World War, 1914-1918--Veterans--Wyoming
World War, 1914-1918--War work
World War, 1939-1945--War work
Wyoming State Council for National Defense
Wyoming State Council of Defense
Wyoming. Adjutant General’s Office
| Description | Container | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 filed folder Letter soliciting membership for local historical committees formed to obtain information about Wyoming participants in the war. 2 copies. Letter sent to citizens to enlist aid in obtaining information about Wyoming soldiers. Letter that accompanied blank form for recording information about Wyoming war participants. Form letter to librarians asking them to obtain records of the United War Work Campaign in their counties. Directions for solicitors of funds to establish a Young Womens’ Christian Association in Cheyenne. |
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1 file folder Letter addressed to the Wyoming State Council for National Defense from a Cambria area farmer, A.T. Quesnoy, requesting support in a disagreement between Mr. Quesnoy and the man who leased his farm while he was in military service. A related letter from A.M. Nichols of Newcastle is included. |
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1 file folder Lists include chairmen of “Four Minute Men,” county chairmen, and lists of women participants by county. |
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Minutes, 1917-1918 1 file folder Proceedings of the council about activities on the home front. |
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Reports, 1918 1 file folder Includes reports on the activities of the publicity department, the war history committee, and the woman's division. The reports for the publicity department and the woman's division include membership lists. |
| Description | Container | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Circulars, 1941-1942 1 file folder Circulars distributed by the state council of defense concerning a variety of topics, including waste paper, enemy activity, blackouts, general salvage, housing for evacuees, membership, expenditures, training, first aid, victory gardens, and administrative matters. |
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Membership List, 1942 1 file folder Membership list including members of the state council of defense and chairmen of county councils of defense. |
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Memoranda, 1941 1 file folder Memoranda concerning recommendations and activities of the Council. |