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.
