Summary Information
Harold T.I. Shannon Papers
1924-1940
- Shannon, Harold T. I., ?-1965
Green Bay Mss 148; PH Green Bay Mss 148; Green Bay Micro 58; Micro 2065
0.4 c.f (1 archives box, 1 flat box, and 1 oversize folder), 1 reel of microfilm (35mm), and 6 photographs
UW-Green Bay Cofrin Library / Green Bay Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Papers of a Green Bay journalist and publicist primarily documenting his work as manager of the Wisconsin Tercentennial, a 1934 event that commemorated the arrival of Jean Nicolet in Wisconsin. Also included is scattered documentation about Shannon's involvement with Progressive politicians during the 1920s. The Tercentennial files include correspondence, telegrams, reports, planning documents and budgets, a final financial statement, and memorabilia concerning arrangements for the visit of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 9, 1934, an appearance by Madame Schumann-Heinke, and other events. The memorabilia includes an original copy of the Milwaukee Journal rotogravure section of August 26, 1934. Additional files concern arrangements for a recreated Indian village and the historical pageant Under Three Flags, written by Susan B. Davis and State Historical Society historian Louise Phelps Kellogg. Prominent correspondents include Phyllis Crandall Connor, Joseph N. Conway, John V. Diener, F. Ryan Duffy, James Hughes, H. L. Mumm of the Land O' Lakes Indian Village in Rhinelander, Ella Neville, Chief Yellow Thunder, and Fred R. Zimmerman. Except for the memorabilia, the Terentennial files are available only on microfilm. Fragmentary general papers include personal memorabilia, political correspondence from John J. Blaine, Frank W. Kuehl, George J. Schneider and various Progressive political leaders, and a musical composition.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-gb0148 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Green Bay businessman, journalist, historian, and promoter Harold T.I. Shannon was born in Fort Howard, Wisconsin. His father was Timothy J. Shannon, a Chicago and Northwestern Railroad conductor and a Green Bay city treasurer. After attending St. Patrick's School and West High School Shannon served in the military during World War I, and he began his professional career as a journalist with the Green Bay Press Gazette. Later, Shannon was associated with the De Pere Journal Democrat and the Appleton Post Gazette and with the WHBY and WIBA radio stations. During the 1940s and early 1950s he served as regional head of the Office of Price Administration.
Shannon was best known for his promotion of special events ranging from a national advertising tour of the Oneida truck after World War I to the Wisconsin Tercentennial celebration in Green Bay in 1934. With Senator F. Ryan Duffy, Shannon was largely responsible for arranging for President Franklin D. Roosevelt to attend this anniversary event. His obituary also cites award-winning work that he did for the Crusade for Freedom and Radio Free Europe. Harold Shannon was also known for his association with state and local history and with historic preservation efforts: he headed the Brown County Historical Society for many years, served as a curator of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and was instrumental in establishing the National Railroad Museum. Shannon died August 5, 1965.
Scope and Content Note
Despite Harold Shannon's prominence in a variety of business and civic activities in Green Bay that spanned a fifty year period, his papers almost entirely concern his association with the Wisconsin Tercentennial in 1934. The existence of papers concerning the remainder of his career are documented in the State Historical Society's internal lead file, but these files were stolen while in the custody of the Brown County Historical Society in 1967. Given the many ways in which Shannon's career intersected with important events in state and community history and with the special collecting interests of the SHSW Archives, the loss of these papers is unfortunate. Shannon papers about the establishment of the National Railroad Museum are cataloged as a separate collection.
The Shannon papers in this collection are also tinged by uncertain provenance. The Tercentennial papers, which comprise the majority of the collection, were presented to the Society by an anonymous donor in 1987 and the folder of political correspondence and autographs were found in 1981 in papers donated by Edward D. Cook. Other than their common residence in Green Bay, there is no known connection between Cook and Shannon.
The Tercentennial papers offer excellent documentation about the planning for the 1934 celebration that commemorated the arrival of Jean Nicolet in Wisconsin. Shannon's papers document personal involvement dating from the late 1920s through the financial settlement in 1935. The papers include correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes of the planning committee, as well as a few drawings, photographs, and other publicity materials. Because of their deteriorated condition the entire series is available on microfilm. After filming only the tercentennial memorabilia (programs, sketches, etc.)was retained. The papers are divided into General Files and chronological Special Events. Particularly well documented are the arrangements with F. Ryan Duffy and members of the U.S. Secret Service for the appearance of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This file even includes notes on the special ramp that was to be constructed for the President. Also useful is the correspondence with H. L. Mumm of the Land O' Lakes Indian Village in Rhinelander and Phyllis Crandall Connor and Chief Yellow Thunder of Wisconsin Dells about the recreated Indian Village and with Susan B. Davis and historian Louise Phelps Kellogg, the authors of the Tercentennial pageant Under Three Flags. The model of Fort Howard that was constructed for the anniversary is represented by detailed pencil sketches. There is also a color elevation and photographs of the art deco Concession Building. In addition to overall event planning, Shannon devoted himself to scheduling special musical events, and the booking files include a contract and correspondence about the appearance by Madame Schumann-Heinke and information on performances by numerous dance bands and orchestras.
Other prominent correspondents include Joseph N. Conway, Mayor John V. Diener, James Hughes, Ella Neville, and Fred Zimmerman. Although publicity is a theme in all of Shannon's Tercentennial materials, segregated files include programs, tickets, and printed references to the celebration.
The general papers include personal memorabilia, political correspondence from John J. Blaine, Frank W. Kuehl, George J. Schneider, and other Progressive leaders mainly dating from the 1920s, and a handwritten musical composition by Shannon.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Portions presented by an anonymous donor, 1987, and portions found with material presented by Edward D. Cook, Seymour, Wisconsin, 1981. Accession Number: M81-130, M87-425
Processed by Carolyn J. Mattern, 1998.
Contents List
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Series: Tercentennial Papers
: Filmed without a counter.
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General files
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Association of Commerce, 1933-1934
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Reel
1
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Central Committee reports and minutes
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Reel
1
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Concession Building (Project 14)
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Green Bay Mss 148
Box
2
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Original drawing of booths
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Correspondence, 1929-1935
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Reel
1
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Davis, Susan B.
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Reel
1
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Exhibition promenade (Project 13)
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Reel
1
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Fort Howard miniature exhibit sketches
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Green Bay Mss 148
Box
2
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Original sketches
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Indian Village (Project 20)
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Reel
1
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Kellogg, Louise Phelps
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Green Bay Mss 148
Box
1
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Original memorabilia
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Midway/Carnival (Project 12)
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Reel
1
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Miscellany, undated
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Reel
1
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Music (Project 11)
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Reel
1
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Photographs
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PH Green Bay Mss 148
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Original photographs
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Planning documents/Schedules/budgets, undated
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Reel
1
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Poster
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Green Bay Mss 148
Oversize Folder
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Original poster
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
Reel
1
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Published references to Tercentennial
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Reel
1
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Under Three Flags program and seating plan
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Green Bay Mss 148
Box
2
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Original seating plan
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Green Bay Micro 58/Micro 2065
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Special Events Files, 1934
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Reel
1
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Opening, July 7
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Reel
1
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Artists Opening, July 12
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Reel
1
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Grand opening at Three Centuries Park, July 14-15
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Reel
1
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Governor's Day, July 21
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Reel
1
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Registers of Deeds, Clerks of Circuit Court, County Treasurers Convention, July 27-28
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Reel
1
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French-Belgian Days , July 28-29
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Reel
1
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Milwaukee Days, August 4-5
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Reel
1
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President's Day, August 9
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Reel
1
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American Legion Convention, August 18-20
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Reel
1
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Grand closing, Labor Day, September 3
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Green Bay Mss 148
Box
1
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Series: Personal Memorabilia and Political Correspondence, 1924-1940
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