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Orval E. Faubus Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 467

Scope and Content Note

The papers document the tenure of Faubus as director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, an assistance agency for veterans and their dependents. The collection is arranged in four series and consists of biographical information, employment correspondence, miscellaneous correspondence, and invitations and engagements. The bulk of the two series of correspondence consists of request from veterans seeking intervention by Faubus on their behalf and requests for interviews and autographs from Faubus's admirers. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent for each of the three years, 1981 through 1983. The invitation and engagement files concern speaking appearances and meetings of various veterans' organizations and have been filed chronologically. Any attached speeches for these occasions have been retained in Series 4 with the pertinent correspondence.

Dates

  • 1981-1983

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Access restrictions apply: Some contents, located in the "Restricted Materials" box, are restricted to protect privacy.

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Orval E. Faubus was born January 7, 1910, at the community of Greasy Creek in Madison County, Arkansas. He was certified as a teacher in 1928 and taught ten terms in rural, one-room schools. During summers her worked as an itinerant fruit picker, sawmill laborer, timber worker, and during 1937 and 1938, as a lumberjack in Washington.

In 1939, Faubus was elected Madison County Circuit Clerk and Recorder and held the office until 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the army, first as an enlisted man and later as a commissioned officer in Europe during World War II. Returning to Arkansas, Faubus accepted the position of Huntsville postmaster and also became editor and publisher of the weekly Madison County Record. He served on the Arkansas State Highway Commission from 1949 until 1951, and became Director of Highways in 1952. After another turn as Huntsville postmaster, he became governor in 1955, and office he would hold for six consecutive terms. He is best remembered for his role in the integration of Little Rock's Central High School in 1957.

In 1981, Governor Frank White appointed Faubus to direct the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, a position he would occupy until early 1983. The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, originally the Arkansas Veterans Service Bureau, was created in 1923 by legislative appropriation. Through county representatives, the department personally assists veterans and their dependents in all aspects of application for government benefits. It also implements training and rehabilitation programs for veterans.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet (6 boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

Material is arranged and described in four series:

  1. Series 1. Biographical Information
  2. Series 2. Employment Correspondence
  3. Series 3. Miscellaneous Correspondence
  4. Series 3. Subseries 1. Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1981
  5. Series 3. Subseries 2. Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1982
  6. Series 3. Subseries 3. Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1983
  7. Series 4. Invitations and Engagements
  8. Series 4. Subseries 1. Invitations and Engagements, 1981
  9. Series 4. Subseries 2. Invitations and Engagements, 1982
  10. Series 4. Subseries 3. Invitations and Engagements, 1983

Acquisition Information

The Orval E. Faubus papers were donated to Special Collections by Orval Faubus of Conway, Arkansas, on May 21, 1983.

Processing Information

Processed by M.B. Lohr.

Title
Orval E. Faubus Papers
Status
Completed
Author
M.B. Lohr
Date
1985
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444