Inventory of the American Forest Institute Records, 1935 – 1977

 

Descriptive Summary

Abstract: The American Forest Institute was formerly called American Forest Products Industries, which was created in 1932 as a trade promotion subsidiary of the National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association (NLMA). In 1992, the American Forest Institute merged with the American Paper Institute and the National Forest Products Association to become the American Forest & Paper Association. The American Forest Council (AFC) is an educational organization designed to supplement the lobbying activities of the National Forest Products Association.

The records contain minutes, mailings, memoranda, and other materials of the Board of Trustees; general correspondence; reading files, press releases, mailings; and other materials of various divisions and committees; reading files of Charles Alton Gillett, Managing Director (1947-1967); publicity materials and reports of the National 4-H Forestry Program; also includes photographs, AFC publications, phonograph records, motion picture films, and miscellaneous educational and public relations material.

Title: American Forest Institute Records, 1935 – 1977

Creator: American Forest Institute

Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives

Call Number: 3222

Language of Material: Material in English

Extent: 132.5 linear feet (82 record cartons, 2 archival boxes)

 

Historical Note

The American Forest Institute was formerly called American Forest Products Industries, which was created in 1932 as a trade promotion subsidiary of the National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association (NLMA). In 1992, the American Forest Institute merged with the American Paper Institute and the National Forest Products Association to become the American Forest & Paper Association. The American Forest Council (AFC) is an educational organization designed to supplement the lobbying activities of the National Forest Products Association.

AFPI was created in 1932 as a trade promotion subsidiary of the National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association (NLMA). AFPI’s trustees were a committee chosen from among NLMA’s National Lumber Trade Extension campaign (NLTE) subscribers. In 1933, the Timber Engineering Company (TECO) was created as an AFPI-owned corporation for the research and development of new and improved lumber products.

Lumber associations and forest industry companies joined together to propose and fund research and promotional projects to be carried out by AFPI. In 1935, the Executive Committee of NLMA became the board of trustees for AFPI; NLTE was discontinued and the remainder of the NLTE funds were turned over to AFPI. AFPI continued to work on research and special trade promotion projects, each financed separately by project dues paid by participating associations. Administrative and operating costs were funded by general trade extension dues, payable by interested manufacturers.

In 1941, in response to negative public opinion about the forest industries and the threat of federal regulation, the Forest Industries Public Relations Program was launched under the guidance of AFPI’s Public Relations Committee, which was established for this purpose. Frederick K. Weyerhaeuser and others took responsibility for raising funds for this campaign, which expanded AFPI activities. These early public relations activities included a textbook evaluation program, a magazine and author’s service providing articles and accurate, current facts about forests, publishing promotional materials detailing the role of lumber in the war effort, and producing educational materials for schools, as well as promoting the tree farm system. Because of the new emphasis on public relations in 1941, AFI considers this to be the official founding date of the organization.

In 1946, following a reorganization of NLMA, AFPI became independent, turning TECO over to NLMA and agreeing to concern itself solely with publicity and forestry matters. With this non-political stance, AFPI became a non-profit organization, serving as the public information arm of the forest industries. The members of the AFPI Public Relations Committee became its trustees.

The AFPI staff grew as the organization expanded, working with schools, libraries, publishers, writers, companies, legislators, forestry groups, and women’s groups to publicize the activities and accomplishments of the forest industries. Issues and topics dealt with included government regulation, forest management, land use, fire prevention, liability laws, water quality, recreation, open space, multiple use, conservation, wildlife, and wilderness. AFPI distributed press releases, informational and promotional publications, educational aids, stories, articles, ads, radio scripts and interviews, many of which are found in this collection. The organization sponsored conferences, workshops, tours of industry facilities and tree farms, 4-H and Boy Scout awards, and programs such as “Keep Green”, “Cash Crops”, “Busy Acres”, and tree farms.

AFPI’s programs were established to address the issues and problems of the day in areas affecting the forest industries. The techniques and approaches AFPI utilized developed over the years to reflect the changing nature of technology, knowledge, and society in general. Evidence of these changes is abundant in the records and may be relevant to research in the fields of education, advertising, public relations, communications, and sociology. AFPI’s organizational changes also shed light on the evolution of businesses and corporations.

AFPI’s activities were coordinated and carried out by staff at the Washington office, personnel at the field offices and news bureaus, and supporters in the forest industry. Financial support was provided by annual subscription dues based upon the size and production of a company, and included pulp, paper, and plywood, as well as lumber manufacturers. In 1958, AFPI implemented a committee management plan in which divisions and departments were guided by subject-matter committees composed of member industry representatives.

Several structural reorganizations occurred as AFPI tuned its operations to meet changing needs. These changes are evident in the collection; a general idea of the structure at different time periods would be helpful to understand the materials. (Representative organization charts are found in Appendix C). A more in-depth description of these structural and functional changes is found in a short, general history of AFI and in the Encyclopedia of American Forest and Conservation History, both of which are available at the Forest History Society.

The collection has been arranged and, like this guide, is for the most part set up to reflect the structure of AFPI in 1966, before it became AFI. Early records from a division or committee that was discontinued are located either under the department or division that later had the same function, or under “AFPI General” (for example, the Advisory Committee minutes are listed under “National Council,” its successor). Each heading under which items are listed includes a brief description that should be helpful in locating information.

In 1967, AFPI began serious discussion of a major reorganization and name change. Information in this collection concerning this name change, which took place in 1968, is limited.

 

Collection Overview

The records contain minutes, mailings, memoranda, and other materials of the Board of Trustees; general correspondence; reading files, press releases, mailings; and other materials of various divisions and committees; reading files of Charles Alton Gillett, Managing Director (1947-1967); publicity materials and reports of the National 4-H Forestry Program; also includes photographs, AFC publications, phonograph records, motion picture films, and miscellaneous educational and public relations material.

Additional accessions are expected.

Collection Arrangement

Articles, Correspondence, Publications, Albums, and Other Materials, 1955-1961 and undated

  1. American Forest Products Industries General Records, 1943-1968
  2. Records Relating to the Trustees, 1944-1966
  3. Records Relating to the Managing Director, 1943-1967
  4. Records Relating to the Program and Planning Committee, 1959-1967
  5. Records Relating to the Administrative Service Department, 1943-1968
  6. Records Relating to the Forestry Department, 1935-1975
  7. Records Relating to the Public Information Department, 1940-1968
  8. Records Relating to Reports and Conferences, 1947-1968
  9. National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association Materials, 1950-1965
  10. Tapes, Scrapbooks, and Flip Charts, 1941-1966
  11. Proposed Redwood National Park, 1960-1977
  12. American Forest Products Industries Photographs, chiefly 1947-1951

Subject Headings

  • American Forest Council
  • American Forest Institute
  • American Forest Products Industries
  • Gillett, Charles A.
  • Forest products industry — 20th century
  • Forests and forestry — Trade associations
  • Trade associations — Wood-pulp industry — United States
  • National Forest Products Association

Detailed Description of the Collection

1. American Forest Products Industries General Records, 1943-1968.
  • Box 1
    Work Plans: Staff and Field, 1953-1967

    • Includes detailed work plans for the various AFPI departments, divisions, districts, and states, including objectives and monthly goals of each.
  • Box 2
    Annual Reports, 1961-1966

    • Includes progress reports from the AFPI divisions, departments, field offices and state committees describing the status of the programs and activities of each.
  • Box 3-5, 7
    Spring and Annual Meetings, 1943-1945 and 1960-1968

    • Includes information concerning AFPI meetings including docket books, information folders for the national committees, and Trustee, National Council and “General” folders, containing minutes, correspondence, reports, scripts, proceedings, speeches, guest and speaker lists, agendas, plans, and photos related directly to the meetings as well as informative materials such as AFPI progress reports, publicity, and other published materials; also, a binder with minutes, proceedings, and information from 1943-45 AFPI meetings.
  • Box 7
    Meetings, 1943-1945
  • Box 3
    Meetings, 1960-1962
  • Box 4
    Meetings, 1963-1964
  • Box 5
    Meetings, 1965-1966 and 1968
  • Box 6-7
    Minute Books, 1960-1966

    • Includes minute books for the following national AFPI committees: Public Relations, Wildlife and Recreation, Women’s Affairs, Research, and Technical Forestry, and for the Interassociation Public Relations Group, containing minutes, membership lists, notices and reports.
  • Box 6
    National Committees
  • Box 7
    Public Relations Groups
  • Box 8
    Committee Folders, 1966-1967

    • Includes folders for each of the AFPI national committees as well as for the Program and Planning Committee, Nominating Committee, National Council, and Trustee Executive Committee, containing membership lists, agendas, drafts of publications, reports, minutes, project lists, and correspondence to and from Bernard Orell, AFPI president, and Charles Gillett, managing director, regarding meetings and appointments to committees.
  • Box 8
    AFPI Report, 1965-1968

    • Includes copies of a monthly newsletter put out by AFPI, with information and notices about the organization’s programs and activities. Also attached: monthly tree farm progress reports, several AFPI booklets, and a report concerning government land acquisition.
  • Box 8
    American Forest Products Industries Circulars, 1945

    • Includes one bound volume of 1945 circulars, including form letters to lumber industry companies, memos to the AFPI Technical and Advisory committees, minutes, expenditure and receipt statements, proposed projects, lists and descriptions, and other information related to AFPI research and development programs, with financial statements for various projects.
  • Box 8
    American Forest Products Industries Operations Manual, 1959

    • Includes a description of the structure and function of various components of AFPI, divided into administration, editorial, educational, and forestry sections.
2. Records Relating to the Trustees, 1944-1966.

AFPI operated under the guidance of a Board of Trustees, the governing body of the corporation, which met annually (semiannually after 1957) to consider and act upon program and policy recommendations presented by the National Council and the Trustee Executive Committee. Each trustee served for three years and was elected by the AFPI membership.

  • Box 7
    Trustee Docket Books, 1960-1966

    • Includes docket books for trustee annual and spring meetings including agendas, minutes, reports, financial statements, budgets, trustee membership lists, open forum and meeting proceedings, press releases, AFPI five-year plans, and some added information.
  • Box 10
    Trustee Mail Books, 1944-1965

    • Includes memorandum and correspondence to the trustees, primarily from Charles Gillett, managing director, usually with attached material such as a booklet, brochure, agenda, report, script, ad mat proof book, program, notice, minutes, annual report, survey, budget, publicity material, or other information and program materials.
  • Box 11
    Trustee Correspondence, 1945-1966

    • Includes correspondence to and from trustees and AFPI administrative personnel, mainly concerning meetings and other matters such as solicitation. Separate file for each trustee (* denotes year elected).
      • Allin, William M., *1966
      • Bailey, W. J.
      • Birmingham, Earl
      • Brandis, John S.
      • Brown, C. O., *1947
      • Brown, J. M.
      • Calder, Alexander
      • Carpenter, Leonard G.
      • Conklin, Robert P., *1956
      • Damtoft, Walter J.
      • Denman, D. S.
      • DeWeese, Tom, *1961
      • Dierks, Fred H., *1949
      • Dixon, Wesley M., *1950
      • Dixon, Willard J.
      • Evans, Robert H.
      • Ferguson, Sydney, *1947
      • Frampton, D. B., *1949
      • Glatfelter, P. H., III
      • Greeley, W. B.
      • Hilton, William, *1949
      • Hines, Charles M., 1953
      • Hinman, John H.
      • Hult, Nils B., *1966
      • Huss, Alvin, *1958
      • Johnson, C. Russell, *1957
      • Kimberly, J. R.
      • Koenig, Paul
      • Kurth, Ernest L.
      • Laughlin, H. C., *1959
      • Luke, David L., Jr., *1957
      • Martin, Clyde S.
      • McGowin, N. F.
      • Meyer, A. B., *1961
      • Morgan, Clyde B.
      • Morriss, D. F., *1956
      • Nicholson, G. W. E.
      • Paine, Peter S., *1961
      • Rettig, Edwin C., *1959
      • Robertson, Rueben B., Jr., *1959
      • Sage, Charles H., *1949
      • Schoenhofen, Leo M.
      • Sheehy, James T., *1958
      • Sinclair, Peter T., *1960
      • Stauffacher, C.B., *1961
      • Temple, Arthur, Jr., *1959
      • Wagner, Corydon
      • Watzek, Peter F., *1957
      • Welsh, W. D.
      • Werling, F. H.
      • Weyerhaeuser, J. P., Jr., *1954
      • Weyerhaeuser, F. K., *1957
      • Winton, R. C.
      • Wortham, R. W., Jr.
      • Young, Vertress
3. Records Relating to to the Managing Director, 1943-1967.

Appointed by the Board of Trustees to take responsibility for the planning, implementation, and management of the day-to-day activities at headquarters and in the field. The Managing Director was head of the Washington staff and served as executive secretary of the Program and Planning Committee.

  • Box 12-13
    Gillett Reading Files, 1960-1967

    • Includes outgoing correspondence from Charles Gillett, managing director, regarding financial support for AFPI, meetings, publications, committee appointments, budget/finance matters, and other topics. Some form letters to state forest industry committees from John Hinman (AFPI president 1959-1961), or Bernard Orell (president 1964-1967), concerning committee appointments, and from James Madden (president 1951-1953) or James Bronson (president 1961-1964) to industry regarding solicitation. Most binders are indexed.
  • Box 12
    1960-1965
  • Box 13
    1966-1967
  • Box 13
    Gillett Talks, 1957-1963

    • Includes text of talks, which are indexed with title of talk, date, and place talk was delivered. Topics vary.
  • Box 13
    Gillett Correspondence, 1960s, chiefly 1964-1967

    • Includes correspondence files, A-N (O-Z missing), regarding requests for information or advice, employment inquiries, hotel locations for AFPI meetings, and other matters. Filed by last name or company name. A folder containing letters from companies requesting AFPI literature, with replies from Charles Gillett.
  • Box 76
    Correspondence with Organizations, chiefly 1948-1952 and 1961-1967

    • Includes correspondence and information files for various associations, councils, bureaus, and other groups. Includes correspondence with Charles Gillett, managing director, along with memos, clippings, press releases, articles and other items concerning the group. Also includes some prospect lists and solicitation dealing with the Southern Pine Association and the American Plywood Association. The files of the Forest Industries Council, the Forest Industries committee on Timber Valuation and Taxation, and the Forest Industries Information committee also contain minutes, reports, and other information.
  • Box 14
    Wood Exhibit, Science Service Kit, and Other Projects, 1943-1957

    • Includes correspondence of AFPI managing directors Chapin Collins (1946-1948) and Charles Gillett (1948-67) with people interested in the AFPI wood exhibit, including press releases, a description of the exhibit, and articles about it; correspondence with industry and AFPI personnel concerning the AFPI publication “The Nation’s Wood Supply,” including several hand-corrected revisions of the manuscript; correspondence with industry concerning obtaining samples for the Science Service Wood Sample Kit.
  • Box 14
    General Miscellaneous Memos and Form Letters, 1946-1948

    • Includes memoranda and form letters from the managing directors Chapin Colllins (1946-1948) and Charles Gillett (1948) to AFPI trustees and committees, industry, schools, publishers, foresters, and subscribers regarding AFPI materials, activities, and projects.
4. Records Relating to the Program and Planning Committee, 1959-1967.

The Program and Planning Committee was made up primarily of members from each of the AFPI national committees, including the chairmen, which met quarterly to consider, set priorities, and consolidate the recommendations of the national committees for a report to the Trustee Executive Committee. Responsible for advising the Executive Committee on current AFPI activities and for reviewing general program results. Created in 1958.

  • Box 6
    Program and Planning Committee Docket Book, 1966

    • Includes docket book for the 1966 Program and Planning Committee annual meeting, which contains agenda, membership list, AFPI progress report, and reports from the national committees and the state forest industry committees.
  • Box 6
    Program and Planning Committee Minute Books, 1959-1967

    • Includes committee notices and minutes for spring, annual, and other meetings, including reports from the national committees and from the state forest industry committees.
  • Box 15
    Program and Planning Committee Mail Books, 1959-1967

    • Includes memos and letters to the Program and Planning Committee, from Charles Gillett in many cases, usually with materials attached such as minutes, meeting and conference proceedings, reports, brochures, booklets, speech summaries, editorial cartoons, a Boy Scout forestry kit, and other information.
4. Records Relating to the Program and Planning Committee, 1959-1967.
5.1. General, 1943-1966.

Until 1959, the Administrative Services Division Responsibilities included: 1) providing office services such as purchasing, printing, and maintenance, 2) fiscal affairs such as subscriber relations, payroll, and financial statements, and 3) library services such as filing and filling requests for information. Included the research division, established in 1961.

  • Box 16
    Administrative Guidebooks, 1954-1958

    • Includes binders containing policies and procedures for the organization and administration of AFPI including by-laws, a description of the structure of AFPI, procedures for fiscal and personnel matters, for subscription rates and agreements, for distribution of AFPI materials, and for other details concerning the editorial and forestry divisions.
  • Box 16
    • Includes outgoing memos and correspondence to companies and individuals from Stanley Jepsen, AFPI executive assistant, managing Director Charles Gillett, and from others, regarding requests for AFPI materials, support for AFPI, acknowledgements of contributions, meetings, certificates and awards, and employment inquiries. Includes form letters to state forest industry committees and others from James Bronson (president).
  • Box 16
    Wilson B. Sayers Reading Files, 1960

    • Includes outgoing letters and memos from the director of administrative services, concerning subscribers, dues, solicitation, information requests, employee insurance and retirement plans, and other administrative matters.
  • Box 16-17
    Staff Meeting Minutes, 1949-1963

    • Includes minutes of weekly and monthly meetings involving Managing Director Charles Gillett and the various department and division heads; minutes for the annual meetings of staff and field officers from 1950-1961.
  • Box 16
    Meetings, 1951-1961
  • Box 17
    Meetings, 1949-1963
  • Box 17
    1958 Depth Audit and 1958 Depth Survey, 1957-1958

    • Includes correspondence to and from Charles Gillett, managing director, with Walter DeLong, with the Public Relations Consultant Committee (which at this time was an advisory body for the managing director), with Bert C. Goss and others, regarding the survey conducted by AFPI personnel, and a report done for AFPI by hill and Knowlton, Inc. Memorandum from Wilson B. Sayers to AFPI staff concerning the type, purpose, and procedures for the survey, along with recommendations, interview lists, and results from the depth audit. The survey and the Depth Audit Report concerned a long-term public relations program for AFPI.
  • Box 17
    “Analysis of AFPI” by W. J. Bailey, 1962

    • Includes memos and letters from Charles Gillet, managing director, to Bailey and others regarding the analysis report. Bailey was a trustee and past president of AFPI.
  • Box 17
    Administrative Reports, 1943-1966

    • Includes AFPI monthly financial reports for 1943-1961; 1953-1959 reports from the assistant treasurer which include lists of lumber and paper company subscriptions and brief monthly reports on Western Pine Association dues; “Organization Improvement Reports” from the directors of AFPI divisions and departments for 1963-1966, involving a statistical breakdown of the number of days spent on various activities.
  • Box 18
    Subscription and Solicitation Materials, 1944-1958 and 1961-1964

    • Includes lists of AFPI subscribers and prospective supporters, letters to companies and individuals from William Edwards, AFPI industry division director (this division existed from 1948-1954), from D.B. Frampton, trustee, and from managing Director Charles Gillett, seeking financial support; correspondence from Gillett and from Ben Rhodes, administrative assistant, with subscribers and AFPI personnel discussing prospective companies; reports on subscribers, cancellations, amount of dues, renewals, and other matters.
  • Box 67
    Industry Mailings, 1953-1955 and 1958-1963

    • Includes mailings to AFPI subscribers and prospects primarily from William Edwards, industry division director, and later, administrative personnel, including form letters with attached promotional information, such as directories, press releases, booklets, ads and information sheets, and proceedings, regarding meetings, programs, and activities of AFPI.
  • Box 20-30
    Industry Files, 1949-1965

    • Includes company general correspondence and information files including letters regarding financial support for AFPI, requests for AFPI materials, meetings, and other topics; also includes fee statements, company publications, press clippings, articles, and other information about the company.>
  • Box 20
    A-BOS
  • Box 21
    BOW-CH
  • Box 22
    CL-DOW
  • Box 23
    DR-FRU
  • Box 24
    GA-HOR
  • Box 25
    HOS-KOP
  • Box 26
    KOP-MAY
  • Box 27
    MEA-QUI
  • Box 28
    RA-SAI
  • Box 29
    SAL-VZ
  • Box 30
    W-Z
5.2. Research Division, 1961-1968.

Established in 1961 to aid in gathering facts and information needed by AFPI, by the forest industry and for dissemination to the public, to revise and update AFPI materials as needed, and to conduct studies in areas such as communications, program effectiveness, and public opinion. Guided by the Research Committee, which was originally a subcommittee of the Program and Planning Committee.

  • Box 18
    Program and Planning Committee Docket Book, 1966

    • Includes letters, memos, and information received by the Research Committee and the research division, including minutes, publication updates, manuscript drafts for review by the committee, reports, scripts, brochures, booklets, and other materials, mainly from W. B. Sayers, director of research.
  • Box 19
    Research Division Reading Files, 1961-1967

    • Includes outgoing letters and memos from W. B. Sayers, director of research, seeking information for AFPI publications, answering requests for information and AFPI materials, and discussing technical issues within the research division. Included are copies of minutes, manuscripts, meeting remarks, and other materials.
6. Records Relating to the Forestry Department, 1935-1975.

The Forestry Department, known until November 1959 as the Forestry Division, was responsible for 1) overseeing programs such as tree farm, Keep Green, 4-H forestry awards, and Boy Scout conservation awards, 2) providing liaison with state, national, and professional forest groups and associations, 3) providing editorial assistance in the area of forestry, and 4) for conducting forest management and recreation surveys. Issues included open space and liability laws, recreation, fire prevention, and multiple use. Information and guidance was provided by the Technical Forestry, Wildlife and Recreation, and Tree Farm committees, established in 1958. Worked with state forest industry committees, which carried out the programs at the local level.

  • Box 31
    Forestry Department Administrative Materials, 1935, 1947-1953, and 1963

    • Includes monthly reports concerning departmental programs and activities, along with reports of meetings and conferences attended; reports and information of interest to the forestry department including a 1935 Acquisition handbook, state forester’s manual, AFA 1945 Forest Appraisal supplemental reports, folders on forest fire protection (1947-51), and on the capital gains timber issue (1963), including articles, bulletins, memos, press releases, reports, statements, minutes, and other information. Also, a folder on “Project 8-A” (1963), involving timber capital gains, including background information, a position paper form AFPI, and news articles.
  • Box 32
    Special Forestry Letters, 1946-1962

    • Includes numbered special “letters” on forest-related topics from the AFPI forestry department, primarily James C. McClellan, Chief Forester, and John C. Witherspoon, to companies and individuals on AFPI mailing lists. Usually includes attached informative material such as reports, legislation, brochures, posters, tree farm progress reports, newsletters, announcements, talks, and other items from sources such as AFPI, state forestry departments, and other forest industry companies or associations.
  • Box 31,33
    Forestry Department Committee Folders, 1958-1975

    • Includes correspondence, minutes, manuscripts, notices, reports, surveys, agendas, membership lists, talks, project recommendations, brochures, studies, pamphlets, and other information dealing with water quality, recreation, tree farms, Boy Scouts, forest management, and other topics of interest to the Technical Forestry, Wildlife and Recreation, and Tree Farm committees.
  • Box 31
    Technical Forestry Committee
  • Box 33
    Wildlife/Recreation and Tree Farm Committees
  • Box 33-34
    Recreation, 1957 and 1960-1970

    • Includes information files on topics such as liability laws, roadside beautification, recreational use of forest land, recreation policies, water quality, forest fire insurance, recreation surveys, forest management surveys, and state game surveys. Items include reports, policy statements, briefs, booklets, maps, bulletins, articles, press releases, surveys, newspaper clippings, survey results state by state, and other materials.
  • Box 33
    Liability Policies and Information
  • Box 34
    Recreation Surveys, General Information
  • Box 35
    Forestry Department Programs, 1950-1960

    • Includes materials related to programs designed for owners of forest property too small for tree farm certification, including Busy Acres, More Trees, and Small Woodlands. The Keep Green program was to promote fire prevention. (The 4-H and tree farm programs are listed separately below). Materials include correspondence, articles, press clippings, reports, illustrations, questionnaires, photos, surveys, comic books, publicity materials, program outlines, state folders, minutes, and certificates.
  • Box 36-39
    4-H Program, 1948-1964

    • Includes 4-H program annual reports, annual report summaries, and publicity or press, T.V. and radio summaries; includes lists and photos of forestry award winners, essays, reports, leaflets, press clippings, news releases, statistical summaries, financial materials, handbooks, and other information. Includes the 4-H Donors’ Conferences for 1961-1963.
  • Box 36
    Annual Reports, 1948-1953
  • Box 37
    Annual Reports, 1954-1956
  • Box 38
    Annual Reports, 1957-1960
  • Box 39
    Annual Reports, 1961-1964, and Donors’ Conferences, 1961-1963
  • Box 40-45
    Tree Farm Program, 1942, 1950, and 1972

    • Includes correspondence and information regarding the Western Pine Association, West Coast, Canadian, and foreign tree farm programs; general materials such as manuals, regulations, inspection forms, publicity materials, maps, and magazines; progress reports listing the number and total acreage of tree farms in each state; tree farm planting handbooks, U.S. Forest Service reports on forests and on shelterbelt planting. State folders containing correspondence, booklets, minutes, inspection and certification records, policy statements, publicity, reports, and notices; general information folders containing story outlines, photos, cancellation lists, charts, an operations book, and other materials relating to the management and promotion of the tree farm system.
  • Box 40
    Program Materials
  • Box 41
    State Reports, 1949-1970, and Planting Handbooks, 1950-1962
  • Box 42
    A-S, 1961-1969
  • Box 43
    T-Z, 1961-1969
  • Box 44
    A-M, 1970-1972
  • Box 45
    Tree Farm Information: Canada, Foreign, 1953-1967
7. Records Relating to the Public Information Department, 1940-1968.

The Public Information Department was created in 1959 to supervise and coordinate the public relations activities of the editorial, education, and women’s affairs divisions, and of field managers. Provided information and materials to the National Council, state committees, industry public relations personnel, legislators, and other officials. Responsible for the flow of information about the forest industry to the public. Guided by the Public Relations Committee, established in 1957, which also counsels the AFPI staff in designing publications, techniques, and materials and with the Program and Planning and the national committees on public relations aspects of their programs.

7.1. General, 1940-1966.
  • Box 46
    Public Information Reading Files, 1959-1963 and 1965

    • Includes outgoing correspondence and materials from Ben Rhodes, public information director, and Charles Gillett, managing director, to AFPI committees and trustees, industry, and others. Includes manuscripts, work plans, reports, minutes, form letters, slide scripts, conference proceedings, and policy statements, all dealing with the programs and operations of the editorial, education, and women’s affairs divisions, and of the field staff.
  • Box 47
    Public Relations Committee Mail Books, 1957-1960 and 1962-1966

    • Includes indexed binders of memos, notices, and materials sent to the Public Relations Committee for review, including advertising aids, editorial cartoons, reprints of articles, a Boy Scout forestry kit, booklets, manuscripts, minutes, annual reports, proceedings, talks, work plans, and membership lists. Mainly from Ben Rhodes, public information director, and Charles Gillett, managing director.
  • Box 47-49
    Promotional Materials, 1940-1957

    • Includes AFPI “Memos to Administrative and Technical Committees,””Publicity,””Industry and General Promotion,””Mailings,” and “What’s Going On” binders, all containing memos or letters explaining attached Public Relations Program materials. Also, an “Oddments” file containing articles, news clippings, and booklets on specific forest-related topics and activities in different geographical areas.
  • Box 47
    Public Relations Reports, Industry and General Promotion, AFPI Mailings
  • Box 48
    “What’s Going On,” Public Relations News, “Oddments”
  • Box 49
    Publicity
7.2. Women’s Affairs Division, 1960-1962.

The Women’s Affairs Division was established in 1959. Serves as a liaison with women leaders and services information such as booklets, exhibits, and scripts to women’s clubs, coordinates club tours of tree farms and industry facilities, works with girls’ organizations and provides support for related activities of the state forest industry committees. Guided by the Women’s Affairs Committee, established in 1960.

  • Box 49
    Women’s Affairs Reading Files, 1960-1962

    • Includes outgoing correspondence and memos from Rosalie Koch, division director, to state conservation organizations, women’s groups, and the Women’s Affairs Committee concerning division activities and requests for materials.
7.3. Education Division, 1942-1968.

The Education Division was responsible for 1) writing, testing, and distributing teaching aids such as booklets, posters, and manuals, 2) working with editors and publishers of textbooks and encyclopedias in reviewing/revising factual information concerning the forest industry and forests, 3) providing speeches and articles for teacher groups and for magazines, 4) coordinating field calls on authors, and 5) liaison with educational organizations such as schools and libraries and with other industry school programs. Guided by the Education Committee, established in 1958.

  • Box 50
    Program and Project History Files, 1942-1967

    • Includes records pertaining to the Education Division’s textbook and encyclopedia projects, school programs, and summer workshops. Includes education historical files with examples of program materials as well as memos, letters, reports, outlines, texts, booklets, stories, discussion scripts, school material bibliographies, teaching aids, newsletters, and reprints.
  • Box 50
    Education Department Reports, 1947-1959

    • Includes state by state lists of monthly requests for AFPI school materials; status reports for projects such as textbook review; progress reports, notes, and other memoranda concerning the school program.
  • Box 51-55
    Education Division Reading Files, 1950-1968

    • Includes letters from Alma Deane Fuller (married name: Mrs. Edward MacConomy), education director, answering requests from authors, publishers, librarians, and school teachers for educational materials such as booklets, fact sheets, posters, and films. Letters and memos from Fuller to industry and to AFPI personnel regarding the school program and other matters. Included are some materials such as reports, minutes, meeting summaries, article drafts, scripts, and other materials relating to production, costs, distribution, and requests for educational materials. Also, lists of workshops, of distribution of school aids, and of committee membership.
  • Box 51
    1950-1953
  • Box 52
    1954-1957
  • Box 53
    1957-1960
  • Box 54
    1960-1963
  • Box 55
    1964-1968
7.4. Editorial Division, 1942-1964.

The Editorial Division was responsible for 1) producing and distributing public relations materials such as press releases, articles, stories, advertising mats, leaflets, booklets, films, T.V. and radio spots, tape recordings, interviews, and other AFPI publications, 2) maintaining a photograph loan library, 3) operating AFPI’s news syndicate and wire service, and providing materials for other syndicates, and 4) other activities related to the promotion, dispersal, and preparation of AFPI materials. Advised by the Public Relations Committee, which was established in 1957.

  • Box 56-59
    Editorial Division Reading Files, 1948-1964

    • Includes outgoing correspondence, mainly from editorial directors, William Jibb (1948-1950), Ron Richardson (1950-1955), and Franklin Bradford (1955-1965) concerning supplies, printing costs, contributions, requests for materials advertising and information on AFPI programs and publications. Includes some materials such as bulletins, speeches, press releases, reports, newsletters, lists, and work plans
  • Box 56
    1948-1951
  • Box 57
    1952, 1957, 1960
  • Box 58
    1961-1964
  • Box 59
    Editorial Division Reports, 1947-1966

    • Includes activity reports, including records of the number of press releases, telephone calls to editors, and other editorial activities along with lists of the titles and release locations of news items. Includes some editorial bulletins, scripts, memoranda, and press releases.
  • Box 59
    Publication Inventory, 1964-1966

    • Includes statistical reports of the production, distribution, and inventory of AFPI publications.
  • Box 59
    American Forest Products Industries Cooperative Projects, 1942-1956

    • Includes examples of brochures, booklets, pamphlets, and other materials put out in conjunction with such organizations as the Appalachian hardwood Manufacturers, state forestry departments, forest industry corporations, and various associations. On topics such as tree farms, fire prevention, forestry, “Cash Crops,” forest management, and wartime use of timber.
  • Box 59
    Editorial Division Materials, 1951-1958

    • Includes a binder containing examples of items such as forestry and “Keep Green” ad mats, editorial aid books, and “Photos for Editors” booklets.
  • Box 59
    American Forest Products Industries’ “Our Great America” Clippings, 1946-1956

    • Includes a scrapbook of clipped informational cartoons, with some memoranda relating to comic strip ideas and production.
  • Box 59
    Radio and Television Files, chiefly 1950-1952

    • Includes Empire School of the Air bulletins, program schedules, news clippings, interview and program scripts, and other information relating to AFPI’s promotional radio programs. Scripts for “Adventure on Thunder Hill,” with related work schedules, ideas, ads, and correspondence.
  • Box 60-63
    Press Releases, 1940-1942 and 1946-1952

    • Includes binders, some indexed, containing press releases, either organized by state or a “master file,” including releases to newspapers, radio, women editors, and television. Included are radio spots, scripts, fillers, editorials, articles, and other releases on topics such as tree farms, AFPI personnel in the news, forest fires, multiple use, forestry, wilderness, conservation, recreation, wartime use of lumber and other issues.
  • Box 60
    1943-1949
  • Box 61
    1950-1951, 1955-1957
  • Box 62
    1957 A-W, 1958, 1960-1962
  • Box 63
    1962-1964
  • Box 64-65
    American Forest Products Industries, 1940-1942 and 1946-1952

    • Includes binders, some indexed, containing informative and promotional articles and stories written by many people, including Stewart Holbrook, Elrick Davis, Richard Tryon, Charles Gillett, William B. Greeley, and others. Topics addressed include timber famine, tree farming, forest fires, wartime wood production, forestry schools, forest economy, and the lumber industry’s contribution to national defense. Also included are 1940-41 NLMA informational service articles, press releases, and radio scripts, as well as copies of the “National Lumber Barometer.”
  • Box 64
    1940-1942, 1946-1948
  • Box 65
    1949-1952
  • Box 78
    Annual reports; press releases; advertising; promotional.
7.5. National Council, 1949-1966.

The National Council was the successor to the National Advisory Committee. Made up of the chairmen of AFPI state forest industry committees and members-at-large appointed by the president. (The Advisory Committee was made up of chairmen of the regional advisory committees, which preceded state committees). Met prior to the trustee meetings to consider the ideas and recommendations of the state committees before submitting them to the trustees in summarized form. Delivered national projects to the state committees for local implementation. The director of public information was the committee’s executive secretary.

  • Box 65-66
    National Council and National Advisory Committee Mail, 1949-1961 and 1964-1965

    • Includes indexed binders and two “General” folders containing information, memos, and letters received by the National Council or the National Advisory Committee from AFPI administrators such as Charles Gillett, managing director, and Ben Rhodes, public information director. Includes minutes, booklets, reports, notices, survey results, publicity materials, handbooks, review manuscripts, directories, school materials, and other items produced by the various AFPI divisions. Also includes state forest industry committee reports.
  • Box 66
    1949-1954
  • Box 65
    1955-1961, 1964-1965
  • Box 6-7
    National/Regional Advisory Committee and National Council Minutes, 1951-1966

    • Includes binders containing the minutes of regional and national advisory committees and National Council meetings, including membership lists, and reports from state forest industry committees.
  • Box 7
    Minute Book, 1951-1959
  • Box 6
    Annual Meeting Minutes, 1955-1956
  • Box 6
    National Council Minutes, 1960-1966
7.6. Regional Advisory Committees, 1949-1953.

Regional advisory committees were organized beginning in 1948 to advise the trustees and AFPI personnel concerning programs, publications, and activities. This was done through representatives on the national Advisory Committee. Both committees were made up of industry representatives. In this way, AFPI kept in touch with its membership and learned of the effectiveness of its programs at the local level, as well as needs for improvement. Most advisory committees were replaced by state forest industry committees after 1952, with the last advisory committee dissolving by 1958.

  • Box 67
    Regional Advisory Committee Folders, 1949-1953

    • Includes general correspondence folders for the regional advisory committees containing letters to and from Charles Gillett, managing director, concerning meetings, appointments to committees, and other matters. Includes reports, membership lists, and other information.
  • Box 67
    Regional Advisory Committee Minutes, 1949-1952

    • Includes membership lists and minutes for the regional advisory committees: lake states, new England, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western (1950-1957) regions.
7.7. State Forest Industry Committees, 1950-1964.

Successors to regional and state advisory committees, state forest industry committees were comprised of industry representatives. Their purpose was to make AFPI programs, services, and materials more effective at the local level and better fitted to local needs; these committees assumed local sponsorship and direction of AFPI programs, to identify them more closely with local industries, and served as industry spokesmen for AFPI news releases and publicity issued in the state. Reported activities and recommendations to the National Council, to be passed on to the trustees. State subcommittees were created, which were similar in subject matter to the national committees.

  • Box 67-69
    State Forest Industry Committee Minute Books, 1950-1964

    • Includes minutes for the various state forest industry committee meetings, with other information, and some minutes of regional advisory committee meetings.
  • Box 69
    1950-1961, A-Z
  • Box 67
    1963-1964, A-G
  • Box 68
    1963-1964, H-W
  • Box 69-72
    State Forest Industry Committee Mail Books, circa 1952-1966

    • Includes correspondence with attached minutes, manuscripts for review, guidelines, or promotional material, notices, and memos concerning state and national AFPI activities and programs.
  • Box 69
    A-COL
  • Box 70
    CON-MIC
  • Box 71
    MIN-PEN
  • Box 72
    RH-WY
  • Box 67
    State Finance Committee Folders, 1963

    • Includes letters between Charles Gillett, managing director, and William Stauffacher, national finance chairman, concerning the appointment of state finance committee chairmen. Form letters and memos from Stauffacher to state finance committee chairmen and lists of acceptances.
7.8. Field Managers, 1955-1965.

Field managers help prepare local press releases, provide liaison with local forest industry, forestry groups, and the Washington office; oversee operations of AFPI activities in manager’s district or region, serve as secretary of state forest industry committees in their jurisdiction, collect and report forestry news of their region, and provide assistance and advice on public relations problems to member industries and associations. Prepare progress reports for the activities and programs in their area.

  • Box 73
    Field Reports and Minutes, 1955-1965

    • Includes progress reports from AFPI district offices for 1956, 1962-1963; 1955-1958 minutes of district managers’ meetings; and 1965 semimonthly field manager report forms for Project 64.
  • Box 73
    Staff and Field Conferences, 1958-1959

    • Includes summary of the 1959 meeting including reports from the AFPI divisions and from field managers; a notebook from the 1958 meeting containing agenda, descriptions of the purpose, organization, and function of the national committees (first established in 1958), discussion of the objectives of the new “Busy Acres” program, policy guidelines, and other information pertaining to administration.
8. Records Relating to Reports and Conferences, 1947-1968.
  • Box 67
    American Forest Products Industries and Other Reports, 1966-1968

    • Includes AFPI reports and information including a 1966 task committee report on reapportionment, a task committee report on the 1961-65 AFPI Five-Year Plan, the 1967 “Challenge of the Seventies” report done for AFPI by Lincoln Research Center, 1967-68 reports to the Chairman’s Administrative Advisory Committee (established to take charge of reorganizing AFPI) containing recommendations of AFPI members and committees in response to the “Challenge of the Seventies” report, including discussion concerning a name for the new organization. Non-AFPI reports include the “Annual Meeting of the Wood Council” and a 1966 report and other information concerning the north Cascades controversy.
  • Box 74-75
    American Forest Products Industries and Non-AFPI Conferences, 1947-1967

    • Includes correspondence, workbooks, agendas, booklets, reports, directories, lists of participants, bulletins, programs, proceedings, minutes, and other information concerning conferences.
  • Box 74
    1953, 1961 AFPI Farm Woodlot Conferences; 1954 Alabama Woodlot Conference; 1961 AFPI Land Use Conservation Conference; and 1965 Wisconsin Land Use Conference
  • Box 75
    1947 American Lumber Congress; 1953 Intermountain Logging Conference; 1957 Yale Industrial Forestry Seminar; Missouri Forest Resource Conference of 1958; Southern Governor’s Conference 1959; Fifth and Sixth World Forestry Congresses; AFPI conferences with the Wildlife Federation 1964, with the Sierra Club in 1966, and with the Wildlife Management Institute in 1966; AFPI joint luncheons; 1965 Fontana Conservation Round-Up; President’s Conferences on Fire Prevention (1947) and Beauty (1965); Pennsylvania Beauty Conference of 1966; and the 1967 Southeastern Natural Resources Conference
9. National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association Materials, 1950-1965.
  • Box 73
    National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association Conservation Reports, 1951-1953

    • Includes National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association Forest Conservation (FC) reports including memos, letters, and attached information sent to the NLMA FC Committee dealing with conservation activities and legislation.
  • Box 74
    National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association Meeting Information, 1950-1965

    • Includes NLMA “Meeting Information” books for the NLMA Board of Directors 1961 and 1964 annual meetings; for the Forest Management and Forest Advisory committees 1961, 1965; for the Industry Relations Subcommittee of the National Wood Promotion Committee 1961, 1963; for the Committee on Public Relations 1961; and for the National Wood Promotion Committee 1961. Includes membership lists, minutes, reports, and reference information. Also, a report of the Executive Council on Federal Timber Supply 1962, and a workbook for the May 1950 meeting of the Public Information Committee.
10. Tapes, Films, Scrapbooks, and Flip Charts, 1941-1966.
  • Box 77
    American Forest Products Industries Tapes, 1951-1966

    • Includes AFPI reel-to-reel tapes, some labeled and some not. Materials recorded include tree farm dedications (with several copies of the tenth anniversary dedication in Washington state), film narratives, sound effects, speeches, AFPI radio series, interviews, AFPI 1963 annual and 1960, 1962, and 1966 spring meetings, T.V. radio shows, some produced by AFPI, and other topics related to or mentioning AFPI.
  • Box 70
    American Forest Products Industries Scrapbooks, 1941-1953

    • Includes clippings from newspapers and magazines in all areas of the nation, dealing with the forest industry, including AFPI programs or personnel, fore prevention, forest management, and other topics. Also, a similar scrapbook labeled “Forest Service and Derogatory” with articles on the U.S. Forest Service and the forest industries; and a smaller scrapbook containing information on fire prevention, particularly the AFPI “Keep Green” program, including materials such as bumper stickers, posters, signs, brochures, photos, radio scripts, publicity, minutes, committee lists, directories, and other materials.
  • Box 70
    American Forest Products Industries Flip Charts

    • One concerns the tabulated results of the AFPI 1965 Public Opinion Survey, with a special poll of teachers, done by Opinion Research Corporation. The other two are similar, but different drafts, of a description of the objectives, structure, and functions of AFPI, with structural charts, a narrative describing key components and activities, and illustrations of AFPI materials for each division; also contains a section on the “Busy Acres” program with information on the Northeast district states.
  • Box 79-80
    Audio reports on cassette tape.
  • Box 81-83
    Videos and films. PSAs, advertising, publicity, educational programming, etc.
11. Proposed Redwood National Park, 1960-1977.

Materials concerning the controversy surrounding a proposed Redwood National Park in Northern California during the 1960s. This included debates over the conservation of redwoods, the economic impact on the state and local communities, and other issues. The Redwood National Park was ultimately established in 1968.

Box 84

  • Folder 1
    Vernor Schenck Correspondence, 1962-1972

    • Vernor Schenck, Public Relations for Georgia-Pacific in Portland, Oregon.
  • Folder 2
    Vernor Schenck Correspondence, 1966-1973

    • Vernor Schenck, Public Relations for Georgia-Pacific in Portland, Oregon.
  • Folder 3
    Correspondence, 1964-1967

    • Correspondence from various individuals on topic of proposed Redwood National Park. Includes correspondence with Ralph Hodges, Kramer Adams, Harry Merlo, Edgar Wayburn, Edward A. Hummel, and others.
  • Folder 4
    Correspondence, 1967-1972

    • Correspondence from various individuals on topic of proposed Redwood National Park. Includes correspondence with Ralph Hodges, Kramer Adams, Harry Merlo, Edgar Wayburn, Edward A. Hummel, and others.
  • Folder 5
    Georgia-Pacific, 1960-1977
  • Folder 6
    Resolutions, 1964-1975

    • Official resolutions from various groups and organizations expressing opinions on and recommendations for the proposed redwood park. Also concerning topics related to timber cutting in the area.
  • Folder 7
    Reports, Statements, Press Releases, Speeches, and Petitions, 1966-1977
  • Folder 8
    Reports, Statements, Press Releases, Speeches, and Petitions, 1961-1977
  • Folder 9
    Articles, 1965-1978
  • Folder 10
    Articles and Newsclippings, 1968-1972
  • Folder 11
    Cartoons

    • Copies of political cartoons on topic of Redwood National Park.
  • Folder 12
    Maps
  • Folder 13
    Maps
  • Folder 14
    Photographs

    • Photo survey of area near park; redwood photos; commercial establishments near other national parks.
  • Loose Publications
    • Chronology of the Establishment of Redwood National Park by Willard E. Pratt, Arcata Redwood Co.
    • Redwoods — Romance and Reality by Harry A. Merlo
    • Report No. 2 on Government Land Aquisition by AFPI, 1968
    • The Redwood Park and Recreation Plan
    • Redwood National Park — The First 30 Months by Kramer A. Adams
    • Economic Factors Relating to Redwood Park Proposals by H. Dewayne Kreager
    • Report on the Redwood Issue
    • The Forest Products Industry and Redwood Parks, 1966
    • Dept. of Interior Redwoods Meeting, November 1965
    • Statement of Robert O. Dehlendorf II before House Subcommittee, April 18, 1968
12. American Forest Products Industries Photographs, chiefly 1947-1951.

The Forest History Society received several thousand photographs from AFPI in 1970. Many of the photos were taken between 1947 and 1951 and have an accompanying AFPI description. Most of these pictures were used in AFPI publications or were available to editors and writers as part of AFPI’s photo loan library. Subjects include sawmill and logging activities in the forest regions of the country as well as scenic pictures, and photos concerning reforestation, forest management techniques, fire prevention, tree types, wood uses, and forest products. The photos have been added to the Forest History Society Photo Collection and are accessible by subject.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Forest History Society’s archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Forest History Society claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], American Forest Institute Records, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.

Processing Information

Processed by Jennifer Medlicott, 1982

Encoded by Amanda Ross, April 2009

Funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission supported the encoding of this finding aid. Support for digitization and outreach provided by the Alvin J. Huss Endowment.

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