Inventory of the John R. McGuire Collection, 1933 – 2000
Descriptive Summary
Abstract: John R. McGuire (1916-2002) served as the tenth Chief of the United States Forest Service from 1972 to 1979.
The collection consists of McGuire's professional and personal papers, photographs, four photograph albums, medals, awards, and plaques from 1933 to 2000. The papers contain mostly correspondence with some speeches, presentations, awards, newspaper clippings, and photographs from 1979 to 2000. Papers prior to 1979 include McGuire's U.S. Forest Service personnel file, biographies, and education-related items such as his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. Several awards and photographs are framed. The photograph albums depict various parties and events during the 1970s and 1980s. Also included in the collection is a framed Rudy Wendelin U.S. Forest Service Cartoon depicting McGuire.
Title: John R. McGuire Collection, 1933 - 2000
Creator: McGuire, John R.
Repository: Forest History Society Library and Archives
Call Number: 2017-006
Language of Material: Material in English
Extent: 4 linear feet (1 archival box, 1 record carton, 4 oversized boxes)
Biographical Note
John R. McGuire (1916-2002) served as the tenth Chief of the United States Forest Service from 1972 to 1979.
» The biographical information below was taken from the Forest History Society's U.S. Forest Service History web portal: John R. McGuire.
John Richard McGuire was born on April 20, 1916, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated with a degree in forestry from the University of Minnesota. He briefly went to work for the Forest Service, then decided to go back to school to be a research forester. He earned his M.F. degree from Yale University in 1941 and worked at the Forest Service research facility on campus. When World War II broke out, he entered the Army, moving up to the rank of major with the Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he returned to the Forest Service in a research position at the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station in New Haven, Connecticut. He moved in 1950 to a research station at Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, while completing his M.A. in economics at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1962, McGuire became director of the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station in Berkeley, California. He moved to the Washington D.C. office in 1967, then was chosen chief in 1971, during a time of increasing environmental awareness by the public. He served as chief until 1979.
While serving as chief, McGuire made changes to strengthen the roles of the branches of state and private forestry and that of research to help implement the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 and the National Forest Management Act of 1976. McGuire faced increasing opposition to forestry practices being carried out on the national forests. Most notable was the Congressional hearings over clearcutting on the national forests. The hearings came about after a report of a committee headed by University of Montana School of Forestry Dean Arnold Bolle on clearcutting on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana and a lawsuit over clearcutting on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. McGuire was instrumental in having the Forest Service review, then change forest management practices, modify and integrate its methods of land management. Major issues facing the chief were the roadless area review and evaluation (RARE) and RARE II decisions, mounting controversy over the management of national forests, and new direction from Congress which mandated planning at the national forest, region, and national levels through the Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the National Forest Management Act of 1976.
McGuire passed away on April 6, 2002 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. His widow, Marjory McGuire, worked with the Forest History Society to create the John R. McGuire endowment to assist with the maintenance and development of the U. S. Forest Service History Collection, a vast collection of historical materials relating to the history of the agency that was compiled by agency personnel working in the Washington Office. The endowment also supports the development and maintenance of interviews related to the U.S. Forest Service produced by the FHS Oral History Program.
Collection Overview
The collection consists of McGuire's professional and personal papers, photographs, four photograph albums, medals, awards, and plaques from 1933 to 2000. The papers contain mostly correspondence with some speeches, presentations, awards, newspaper clippings, and photographs from 1979 to 2000. Papers prior to 1979 include McGuire's U.S. Forest Service personnel file, biographies, and education-related items such as his diploma from the University of Pennsylvania. Several awards and photographs are framed. The photograph albums depict various parties and events during the 1970s and 1980s. Also included in the collection is a framed Rudy Wendelin U.S. Forest Service Cartoon depicting McGuire.
Collection Arrangement
- Correspondence, 1972-2000
- Personal Papers, 1933-1996
- Ephemera, 1972-1983
- Photograph Albums, 1970s-1980
Subject Headings
- McGuire, John R.
- Smokey Bear -- Photographs
- United States. Forest Service -- History -- Photographs
- United States. Forest Service -- Officials and employees
Detailed Description of the Collection
1. Correspondence, 1972-2000.
Contains mostly letters written to McGuire with some letters or notes written by McGuire. The majority of items are from after his retirement as Chief of the United States Forest Service.
Box 1
- Folder 1
Guest Lectures, Presentation, and Awards, 1979-1983 - Folder 2
Appointment as Chief of Forest Service, 1972-1973) - Folder 3
Retirement as Chief of Forest Service, 1978-1979 - Folder 4
USDA and U.S. Forest Service, 1989-1992 - Folder 5
USDA and U.S. Forest Service, 1993-1998 - Folder 6
Yale University, 1980-1998 - Folder 7
Forest History Society, 1982-1996 - Folder 8
U.S. Senate Testimony, 1991
Correspondence regarding testimony McGuire gave in front of the Senate Subcommittee on International Trade for Bob Packwood's bill, Authorizing Expenditures by the Bureau of Land Management from the Reforestation Trust Fund on July 30, 1991. Also includes a copy of the testimony. - Folder 9
"The Unity of Environmentalism," 1991 - Folder 10
The Duluth Manifesto, 1993 - Folder 11
Western Governors Association, 1996 - Folder 12
Committee of Scientists, 1996-1998 - Folder 13
Board and Committee Memberships, 1988-2000 - Folder 14
Personal, 1980-2000
Contains holiday greetings written to McGuire and birthday email print out written by McGuire.
2. Personal Papers, 1933 - 1996.
- Folder 15
Presentations, 1979-1996
Includes copies of speeches and programs for speeches McGuire gave at American Forestry Association on October 29, 1980, The Pinchot Institute on June 6, 1994, National Foresters Reunion on September 30, 1991, and the National Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado School of Law on September 16, 1996. - Folder 16
Interviews, 1996
Includes printed and 3 1/2 inch floppy disc versions of a list of questions that McGuire provided answer to for Oregon State University. - Folder 17
Awards, 1941-1987
Awards presented to McGuire from universities, societies, and government entities. - Folder 18
Miscellaneous Documents
Contains newsletters, memorial service notices, and a first day issuance Smokey Bear stamp from August 13, 1984. - Folder 19
Newspaper Clippings, 1981-1983
Contains McArdle obituary and article regarding cutbacks in marshal staff. - Folder 20
Photographs, 1980-1997
Black and white and color photos of McGuire at functions such as RF&D retiree luncheon. - Folder 21
Education
Diploma from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania with correspondence regarding McGuire taking leave or withdrawing from University of Pennsylvania courses. - Folder 22
Personnel File U.S. Forest Service, 1933-1979
Documents regarding different positions of employment that McGuire held at the U.S. Forest Service from 1933-1979. Also contains biographies, photos, and news clippings from his time as Chief. - Folder 23
Photographs, 1969-1988 and undated
2022 addition. Includes photos of meetings and awards, as well as McGuire in USSR, Argentina, Indonesia, and more.
3. Ephemera, 1972-1983.
Contains framed photographs and awards as well as medals, plaques, and memorabilia.
Box 2
- Item 1
The National Association of State Foresters, Award for Years of Outstating Service, 1979 - Item 2
National Society for Park Resources, Award for Excellence, 1978 - Item 3
The American Forestry Association, Life Membership, 1982 - Item 4
The American Forestry Association, Distinguished Service Award, 1983 - Item 5
National Civil Service League Career Service Award, 1976 - Item 6
President of the United States Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal, 1979 - Item 7
University of Minnesota, Medal - Item 8
Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Florestal, Brazil, Medal - Item 9
Sir William Schlich Memorial Medal - Item 10
USDA Distinguished Service Award, Medal, 1975 - Item 11
Presidential cufflinks.
Box 3
- Item 12
President of the United States Distinguished Federal Civilian Service, 1979 - Item 13
Society of American Foresters, Golden Membership Awards - Item 14
USDA Award for Distinguished Service, 1975 - Item 15
U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Recreation Achievement Award, 1977
Box 4
- Item 16
Arbor Day Award plaque, J. Sterling Morton Award, 1980 - Item 17
"The Chief's Basic Rules", 1979 - Item 18
Framed Photograph, 1974
Color photo of McGuire with Dr. Harley Jolley, Mars Hill College; William R. Sweet, Landscape Architect, NFS NC; Robert W. Cermak, Forest Supervisor, NFS NC; James E. Reid, Pisgah District Ranger, NFS NC. Captioned: Poses in front of Climax Locomotive at the Cradle of Forestry in America on the occasion of the dedication of the reprint of the "Biltmore Story": sponsored by the Appalachian Consortium with ceremonies at the Biltmore Estate. From the National Forest Service in North Carolina in appreciation of the Chief McGuire's visit and interest in Southern Forestry and its history, from George A. Olson, Forest Supervisor. - Item 19
Framed Photograph
Color photo of McGuire with four other men, possibly those listed in 1974 photograph. Date and location unknown.
4. Photograph Albums, 1970s-1980.
Box 5
- Photo Album 1
Album 1 contains 24 color photographs documenting "A Day to Remember," Smokey Bear's Retirement, dated May 2, 1975. One envelope contains pictures depicting miscellaneous events, 1970s-1980s, including Smokey Bear's "House Warming" Ceremony at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. on September 12, 1978; 3 black and white photographs at Moon Tree Planting; 1 black and white photograph of Dartmouth Symposium on Renewable Resource Availability, July 9-13, 1978, including Identification Sheet for photograph; 1 black and white photograph at Grey Towers, Gifford Pinchot's home in Milford, Pennsylvania, dated July 1980 and depicting Fritz Mondale, Max Petersen, and John McGuire. - Photo Album 2
Album 2 contains 47 black and white photographs, including photograph of retirement cake, photos of McGuire with John Ford (OPEDA President), Walter Jahn (OPEDA), and others. (Note: OPEDA stands for Organization of Professional Employees, U.S. Department of Agriculture.)
Box 6
- Photo Album 3
Album 3 was presented to McGuire from the Pacific Southwest Region, This album contains scenic images and letters from USDA Forest Service employees dated September 5, 1979 and others signed by colleagues and well-wishers on the occasion of his retirement. - Photo Album 4
Album 4 documents McGuire's time as Chief of the Forest Service and his retirement. Cover says "McGuire Retires a Champ. Devilish Words. The Boss' Showstoppers." Contains black and white and color photos with captions, article about push to replace McGuire with Bella Abzug, and notes of farewell from coworkers. Photos include McGuire with Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. (circa 1979)
Unboxed Oversized Item
- Framed Item 23
U.S. Forest Service Cartoon by Rudy Wendelin, 1972
Cartoon depicts Ed Cliff ushering John McGuire onto a tight rope over items labels pollution, reorganization, timber demands, clear cutting, recreations demands, etc. McGuire holds a balancing stick labeled "station directors" on one end and "regional foresters" on the other end and wears a life preserver labeled "staff". Drawing says "Keep your eyes over there, John!" at the bottom.
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], John R. McGuire Collection, Library and Archives, Forest History Society, Durham, NC, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Albums 1-3 received from Marjory McGuire prior to 2006. All other items received from John R. McGuire's daughter, Joan McGuire, in June 2017, and additional materials in May 2022.
Processing Information
Processed by Christin Lampkowski, July 2017
Encoded by Amanda Ross and Christin Lampkowski, July 2017
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.
