KU Libraries

Works Consulted

Archival Collections: Spencer Research Library

Kenneth Aldred Spencer Papers (RH MS VLT 157)

Helen Foresman Spencer Papers (RH MS 542)

Ken Crockett Research Notes on Kenneth and Helen Spencer (unprocessed)

University Archives, University of Kansas Libraries Records

  • Dean Robert Vosper correspondence (RG 32/1/4)
  • Dean Thomas Buckman correspondence (RG 32/1/5)
  • Kansas Collection (RG 32/22)
  • Special Collections (RG 32/37)
  • University Archives (RG 32/38)

University Archives, other records

  • Kenneth and Helen Spencer biographical file
  • Kenneth Spencer Research Library building file (RG 0/22/82)
  • Watson Library building file (RG 0/22/99)
  • Chancellor's Records: Executive Secretary Case Files (RG 2/0/1/0)
  • KU Endowment Association artificial records (RG 65/0/1)
  • Beta Theta Pi records (RG 67/24)

University Archives, photograph collections

  • Kenneth Spencer Research Library (RG 0/2/82)
  • Kenneth Spencer Research Library, Lawrence Journal-World photographs (RG LJW 0/2/82)
  • Strong Hall Annex (RG 0/22/88)
  • Watson Library (RG 0/2/99)
  • Kansas Collection (RG 32/22)
  • Special Collections (RG 32/37)
  • University Archives (RG 32/38)

 Archival Collections: Other Institutions

Baker University

  • Trustee’s records
  • Collins Library building files

Kansas State Historical Society, State Archives Division

  • State Registration and Examining Board for Professional Engineers, Professional Licensing Files – Engineers, Kenneth Spencer file

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Archives and Special Collections

  • Helen Foresman Spencer vertical file
  • Spencer Art Reference Library vertical file
  • Director’s Office – Laurence Sickman, Series III: Subject files (RG 01/02)
  • Director’s Office – Ted Coe, Series IV: Subject files: Spencer, Helen 1977-82 (RG 01/03)
  • Director’s Office – Wilson, Series V: Subject files (RG 01/04)
  • Society of Fellows Records (RG 43/01)
  • Event Planning Records (RG 45)
  • Assistant Director’s Records (RG 99)

Pittsburg State University, Special Collections and University Archives

  • Kenneth Spencer vertical file
  • Pittsburg and Midway Coal Company Records (SpC MS 0100)

State Historical Society of Missouri, Kansas City Research Center

  • Arthur Mag Papers (K0092)

University of Missouri-Kansas City, University Archives

  • UMKC Chancellor’s Office files, Development Office folders (KC:1/6-8/1)
  • Kansas City Repertory Theatre collection (MS 233)

Print Sources: Primary (call numbers listed are for items located in KU Libraries)

Beadle, C. S. Pittsburg, Kansas: Factories, Mines, and Smelters. Philadelphia: L. H. Everts & Co., 1891. Call Number: RH Map S16.

Clemens, Ira. Southeastern Kansas Coal Mining Towns. Reproduction of an untitled photograph album originally created circa 1923. Frontenac, Kansas: Betty DeVoss and Nanette Krumsick, 2005. Call Number: RH D8658.

Close, Debby Ossana. Coal Mining Days: In the Weir-Pittsburg Coal Field. Pittsburg, Kansas: Miners Memorial Pub. Co., 2009. Call Number: RH D9091.

Kansas. Higher Education Facilities Commission. Survey of College and University Library Space Needs, directed by Robert B. Downs. Topeka, Kansas: Printed by R.R. Sanders, State Printer, 1965. Call Number: RH C1607.

Long, Elmer L., photographer. Pittsburg, Kansas, 1902: Its Business and Its Beauties as Seen Through the Camera. Pittsburg? Kansas: Means-Moore Co., 1902. Call Number: RH BK107.

“P&M History…Dynamic Continuing Growth.” In “1966 Model Mining Number: Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co.” Special issue, Coal Age 71, no. 10 (October 1966): 82-87. Call Number: TN1 .C63.

“Perpetuating Traditions of Aggressive Leadership and Foresight.” Coal Age 65, no. 6 (June 1960): 74-75. Call Number: TN1 .C63.

Raleigh, W. A., Jr. “P&M’s Diamond Jubilee Story.” Coal Age 65, no. 6 (June 1960): 72-79. Call Number: TN1 .C63.

“Spencer-Foresman,” Pittsburg Daily Headlight (Pittsburg, Kansas), January 7, 1927. Copy provided by the Kansas State Historical Society.

“Spencer-Foresman,” Pittsburg Sun (Pittsburg, Kansas), January 7, 1927. Copy provided by the Kansas State Historical Society.

Spencer Chemical Company. Spencer Chemical Company, Jayhawk Works, Pittsburg, Kansas. Kansas City, Missouri: Spencer Chemical Co., undated. Call Number: RH D4712.

Spencer Chemical Company. The Fertilizer Industry and Spencer Chemical Company. Kansas City, Missouri: Spencer Chemical Company, 1949? Call Number: RH D4220.

“Spencer-Foresman,” Pittsburg Daily Headlight (Pittsburg, Kansas), January 7, 1927. Copy provided by the Kansas State Historical Society.

University of Kansas. Libraries. Books and Libraries at the University of Kansas. Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas Library, 1950-1970. Call Number: UA Ser 32/0/2.

University of Kansas Library Staff Association. The Gamut. Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas Library Staff Association, 1950-1970. Call Number: UA Ser 32/0/5.

Print Sources: Secondary (call numbers listed are for items located in KU Libraries)

Clift, Elayne, ed. Women, Philanthropy, and Social Change: Visions for a Just Society. Medford, MA: Tufts University Press, 2005.

Churchman, Michael, Scott Erbes, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. High Ideals and Aspirations: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 1933-1993. Kansas City, MO: Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 1993. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/highidealsandaspirations.

Crockett, Kenneth F. Kenneth & Helen Spencer of Kansas: Champions of Culture and Commerce in the Sunflower State. Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2014. Call Number: RH C11748.

Friedman, Lawrence J. and Mark D. McGarvie, eds. Charity, Philanthropy, and Civility in American History. Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Kingsburg, Douglas. A Brief History of Philanthropy in Kansas City. Kansas City: Missouri: Clearinghouse for Midcontinent Foundations, 1980.

Lawson, John A., et al. 100 Years of Excellence: A History of the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co., 1885-1985. Denver, Colorado: Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co., 1985. Call Number: RH D5961.

McCarthy, Kathleen D. “American Cultural Philanthropy: Past, Present, and Future,” in The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. Vol. 471 (January 1984): 13-26. Accessed online: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1044131.

Scarffe, John A., compiler and editor. From Vision to Reality: 100 Years of Private Support through the Kansas University Endowment Association. Lawrence, Kansas: The Association, 1991. Call Number: RH C9129.

William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of art and Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts. The Kenneth & Helen Spencer Art Reference Library: Given to Complement the Nelson Gallery Collections, 1962. Independence, MO: Graham Graphics, 1979. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/kennethhelenspencerartreferencelibrary.

Zunz, Olivier. Philanthropy in America: A History. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011.