Part 1 (Wis Mss QF, PH 684, PH 973-PH 974, PH 1088, PH 1101, PH 1117-PH 1118, PH 3648 (3)): Original Collection, 1811-1948
Physical Description: 6.8 cubic feet (34 archives boxes) and 172 photographs 
Scope and Content Note

Mainly correspondence, speeches, articles, diaries, and notebooks of a Dane County farmer and agricultural expert who was a political figure in the Progressive movement. Donald served as assemblyman, 1903-1907; state senator, 1909-1913; and Wisconsin secretary of state, 1913-1917. The part of the collection coinciding with his legislative career contains material on education, pure food legislation, and the development of a state highway system; also scattered references to party politics, which become more numerous in the later papers. Letters written during World War I describe Donald's service in France with the Young Men's Christian Association and with the Army Education Corps as an instructor in agriculture. Much of his postwar correspondence is concerned with his study and promotion of farm management programs for the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Wisconsin and with his development of a simplified system of farm accounting. There is also information on dairy farming, the raising of purebred horses, cheese production, and tobacco cultivation in the state.

Other letters indicate Donald's continued interest in conservation and highway improvement. Also included are letters relating to his participation in the Dane County Agricultural Society, Friends of Our Native Landscape, and Masonic organizations.

Correspondence of Donald's family comprises the early portion of the collection. Included are photographic copies of letters from Scotland to his grandfather, James Donald, a Presbyterian minister who emigrated with members of his family to western Dane County in the mid-1850s. There are also original letters to John Strong Donald (1842-68) and Ellen (Sweet) Donald, parents of John Sweet Donald.

Also present are records of Friends of Our Native Landscape. These records cover the years 1916-1948; however there is very little material before 1922, and none for the years 1918-1919 and 1935-1937. The papers contain programs and other records, clippings, and correspondence kept by Donald and others. Records begin with 1916 when the first plantings of commemorative trees was made in the “Forest of Fame” at Mt. Vernon, Wisconsin. This part and the Friends organization occupied much of Donald's attention through the 1920s. After his death in 1934, the Forest of Fame continued to be partly guided by the Friends; Donald's daughter, Mrs. Woodburn, remained interested in the organization as the papers show.

Programs, lists of officers, and statements of policies of the Friends indicate the members' interest in nature education, conservation, and park and roadside development. Donald was apparently president of the Wisconsin chapter from its founding in 1920 to the time of his death. The organization had some connection with the extension activities of the University during these years also, when Professor Franz Aust was secretary; the Horticulture Department cooperated in planning the four annual meetings, and the publication, Our Native Landscape, had its editorial offices in the Horticulture building.

Correspondence in this portion of the Donald papers contains letters from such well-known people as Zona Gale, Jens Jensen, Mrs. Andrew Carnegie (March 23, 1931), Ray Stannard Baker (April 9, 1928), and Robert M. La Follette Jr. (April 10, 1926).

Photographs include images of Donald and his farm, his family and friends, images related to his professional interests, and a number of photographs of the Wisconsin State Capitol, circa 1915-1925.

Biographical sketch of Donald

General Correspondence

1811-1884

1885-1900

1901-1911 August

1911 September-1912

1913 January-July

1913 August-1914 February

1914 March-October 9

1914 October 10-December

1915-1917

1918-1919

1920-1921

1922-1923

1924-1925 September

1925 October-1926

1927-1928 July

1928 August-1929

1930

1931 January-October

1931 November-1934

Farm account book correspondence, 1921-1934

Farm account book speeches, articles, and press releases

General speeches, articles, and press releases

Income tax forms, and material on the Masonic Lodge

Miscellaneous material on the production of cheese and tobacco in Wisconsin

Notebooks and diaries

Miscellaneous notebooks

Friends of Our Native Landscape records

1916 May-1930

1931-1934, 1938-1948

Photographs

1908-1928
Physical Description: 27 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Photographic portraits of Donald, political campaign materials, and photographs related to his farm, 1908-1928. Two photographs of costumed men on camels (possibly Shriners) are also present.

1928
Physical Description: 6 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Photographs of the dedication of highway triangles (triangular plots of land at a highway junction) by the American Legion at Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, July 4, 1928. It is stated that these are the first triangular plots so dedicated. Images show a band, flags, a color guard, and participants, including John S. Donald.

circa 1925
Physical Description: 8 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Aerial photographs of unidentified towns in France, apparently made to show land use and town planning, circa 1925.

1915-1925
Physical Description: 46 photographs (1 archives box) 
Scope and Content Note: Photographs assembled by Donald of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, including interiors, exteriors, and activities there, circa 1915-1925.

Capitol views during construction: Construction scaffolding

Capitol views during construction: Wing construction

Capitol views during construction: Statue

Views of Capitol facade

Views of Capitol facade: Ornamental frieze

Views of Capitol facade: Capital staircase

Views of Capitol facade: South entrance

Views of Capitol facade: Entrance

Views of Capitol facade: Squirrels viewpoint

Capitol dome and interiors: Capitol dome

Capitol dome and interiors: Capitol dome lit at night

Capitol dome and interiors: Skylight and staircase

Capitol dome and interiors: Marble pillars

Capitol dome and interiors: Overlooking State Street with iron balcony

Capitol dome and interiors: Stairwell

Office interiors: Office with map

Office interiors: Desk with mail

Office interiors: Office with photograph exhibit

Office interiors: Office chamber

Office interiors: Mailroom

Office interiors: Clerical room

Views from the Capitol: Lake Monona

Views from the Capitol: State Street

Views from the Capitol: East Washington Avenue

Views from the Capitol: Madison Street

Views from the Capitol: Buildings behind bench on Capitol grounds

Views overlooking W. Washington Avenue: Summer scene

Views overlooking W. Washington Avenue: Winter scene

Views from Bascom Hall grounds: Back of Lincoln monument

Views from Bascom Hall grounds: Aerial view of State Street

Views from Bascom Hall grounds: Treetop view of Capitol

Wisconsin Senate group photograph

Secretary of State: In the office with Miss. Homewood

Secretary of State: In the office with Miss. Homewood

Secretary of State: Sec. of State

Secretary of State: Sec. of State standing

Secretary of State: Group portrait with employees

Wm. H. Coureford, clerk

Capitol employees: Man writing

Capitol employees: Man reading

Meeting at Land Office

George Chatterton

Mary Bowden with mail

Men with election ballots

State Capitol Bowling League

circa 1920
Physical Description: 14 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Photographs related to a group including Donald and their visit to a fish hatchery near Woodruff, Wisconsin, circa 1920. Images include hatchery buildings and the railroad station in Woodruff.

1917
Physical Description: 28 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Photographs of agricultural exposition displays related to farm management shown jointly by the College of Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin and the United States Department of Agriculture at the Panama-Pacific Exposition, San Francisco, California, 1917.

circa 1918-1925
Physical Description: 42 photographs 
Scope and Content Note: Photographs of the family, associates, and friends of Donald, including group and individual portraits, circa 1918-1925.

circa 1920
Physical Description: 1 photograph 
Scope and Content Note: Photograph of a group portrait including Donald, circa 1920.

Part 2 (M2002-072, AE 359-AE 360): Additions, 1887-1955
Physical Description: 0.9 cubic feet (2 archives boxes and 1 oversize folder) and 2 reels of film (16 mm) 
Scope and Content Note: Additions, 1887-1932, reflecting the interests of John Sweet Donald and his wife Vona. The bulk of the addition consists of correspondence to Donald and to Vona. Donald's correspondence concerns his congressional campaign, his involvement in the Madison Rotary Club, and his interests in agricultural economics, specifically regarding his Farm Account and Record Book. Correspondence to Mrs. Donald reflects her interests in women voting and her involvement in the Wisconsin Board of Child Welfare in the 1920s. The collection also contains materials for Donald's political campaigns and events (1905, 1913, 1928-1930); clippings (1915, 1922, 1925, undated); theater and recital programs (1913-1932); materials for Masonic events; and rosters and programs from civic groups with which the Donalds were involved. Also included are photographs of acquaintances of the Donalds, relatives from Tunnel City, Monroe County, Wisconsin, and landmarks throughout Wisconsin, and two 16 mm home movie film reels (1937, 1940, 1955, undated).

Political campaigns and events, 1905, 1913, 1928-1930

Correspondence

Congressional candidacy, Rotary Club, agriculture, 1887, 1905-1928

Farm Account and Record Book, 1924-1931

Secretary of State, undated

Mrs. Donald - Board of Child Welfare, 1920-1928

Mrs. Donald - general, 1908-1932

Clippings, 1915, 1922, 1925, undated

Theater and recital programs (with comments by the Donalds), 1913-1932

Playbills and concert programs, 1920-1922

Masonic materials, 1898-1931

Rotary Club roster - Madison, 1927-1928

Civic organizations and events, circa 1910s-1930

Donald campaign placard

Photographs of acquaintances of the Donalds, relatives from Tunnel City, Monroe County, Wisconsin and various landmarks throughout Wisconsin

Home movies
Physical Description: 16 mm films 

Unidentified, 1955

Florida, 1940 November

“Picnic and Vilas, Cherry Blossoms,” 1937
Note: Footage of trip to a beach.

Leo - New York and 918 Clinton Place