Title: Ray H. Mattison
Dates: 1948-1978
Collection Number: MSS 10119
Quantity: .75 feet
Abstract: Papers consist of Mattison's manuscript "My Years in North Dakota" (excerpts from "As I Saw It: Recollections and Observations of a Nebraska Maverick, 1903-1978"), research notes on Theodore Roosevelt in North Dakota, and a press release about the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and a research outline on “The Fur Trade on the Upper Missouri."
Provenance: Mattison deposited his research on Theodore Roosevelt and the fur trade on the upper Missouri to the State Historical Society of North Dakota in June 1965 and donated "My Years in North Dakota" in December 1978.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights: Copyrights to materials in this collection remain with the donor, publisher, author, or author's heirs. Researchers should consult the 1976 Copyright Act, Public Law 94-553, Title 17, U. S. Code and an archivist at this repository if clarification of copyright requirements is needed.
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
From Plains Talk Vol. 12 No. 1, Winter 1981
Ray H. Mattison, Superintendent of the State Historical Society of North Dakota from 1965-1969, died October 6, 1980, at Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Mattison served the SHSND during a significant transition period after the retirement of long-time Superintendent Russell Reid in 1965, and the ground work for the modern agency was laid during his tenure.
Ray Harold Mattison was born September 15, 1903. He received his college education at Wayne State University (Nebraska) and obtained his Master of Arts degree in American History at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) in 1937. After acting as a guide and interpreter at Boulder Dam, he joined the National Park Service, serving first as a ranger and then as a historian. His assignments included research about the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. On July 1, 1965, Mr. Mattison became Superintendent of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and retained that position until his formal retirement on August 1, 1969.
A noted scholar on the American West, Mr. Mattison wrote and published more than 50 articles during his career. Among them were many that concerned the history of North Dakota, including six dealing with Theodore Roosevelt’s ranching years in the Badlands that appeared in North Dakota History. He was also a perceptive critic of western literature and published many review of books. His last review, written shortly prior to his death, was published in the Winter, 1981, edition of North Dakota History.
After his retirement, Mr. Mattison lived in Tucson, Arizona. He remained active as a private historical consultant and as a member of the Tucson corral of the Westerners International. He is survived by his wife Doris, whom he married in 1941, two daughters, and two grandchildren.
Box / Folder Inventory
Box 1:
1 Bibliographic and newspaper records for Theodore Roosevelt research, compiled in 1949
2 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1878-1880: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
3 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1881-1883: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
4 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1884-1885: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
5 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1886-1887: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
6 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1888-1890: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
7 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1891-1894: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
8 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1895-1898: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
9 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1900-1912: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
10 Theodore Roosevelt research for the years 1914-1949: bibliographic and newspaper records compiled in 1949-1950
11 Theodore Roosevelt research, bibliographic and newspaper excerpts compiled in 1949-1950
Box 2:
1 Theodore Roosevelt research, bibliographic and newspaper excerpts compiled in 1949-1950
2 Theodore Roosevelt interview summaries, compiled in 1949-1950
3 Abstract of microfilm materials on Montana Superintendency, 1868-1880 from
The records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the National Archives
4 Copy of a press release prepared for The Dickinson Press in early 1948 in connection with the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park
5 “The Fur Trade on the Upper Missouri” research outline
6 “My Years in North Dakota,” excerpts from “As I Saw It: Recollections and Observations of a Nebraska Maverick, 1903-1978,” 1978
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions
Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
Social Media:
See all social media accounts
