George Hall McCune Papers
Scope and Content
The papers of George Hall McCune consist of his work with the War Department from 1943-1945, his research and notes on the National Institute for the Advancement of Science, and biographical information, including certificates and a copy of his resume (1945).
Memoranda, circulars, reports, and correspondence from the War Department, Office of Chief of Engineers, Washington D.C. is included in this collection. McCune was a Historian there from June 29, 1943 to September 14, 1945. Not only are McCune's own writings represented in the collection, but historical information regarding the Corps of Engineers during World War II are also included. These materials consist of monographs, transcripts and correspondence.
The largest part of the collection covers the topic of the National Institute for the Advancement of Science. His notes and research on the Institute are in the collection (n. d., 1961-1967), along with publications and pamphlets by others on the history of this organization (1840s and 1850s).
Dates
- 1835-1967
Creator
- McCune, George H., 1903-1988 (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Use of Materials
Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Copyright
Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.
Biographical Sketch of George H. McCune (1903-1988)
George Hall McCune was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 8, 1903. He received his B.A. degree from Grove City College [PA], and his M.A. degree in American History from the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated with his Ph.D. in History from the University of Minnesota in 1942. From 1943 to 1945, McCune worked as a historian for the War Department, Office of Chief Engineers. After his discharge he returned to the University of Minnesota to teach.
McCune devoted his entire professional career to college teaching and the training of college teachers. At the University of Minnesota, he taught at University High School and supervised social studies practice teachers from the College of Education. He later joined the faculty of the General College and offered graduate courses in materials and methods in teaching the social studies. In 1965, the University of Minnesota Student Association gave McCune a faculty award "...for outstanding contributions to the education of students". In 1967, McCune was the winner of a Standard Oil Foundation -- Horace T. Morse award for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education.
McCune had a long-standing interest in the history of science, technology and economics of American life. For his M.A. thesis, McCune's topic was the National Institute for the Advancement of Science (1840-1855), forerunner of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1967, he again took up this subject intending to write a book on the history of the National Institute.
George Hall McCune died on March 14, 1988, fourteen days after heart surgery at the age of 84.
Extent
3 Cubic Feet (4 boxes (2 record carton; 2 hollinger))
Abstract
The collection contains the personal and professional papers of George Hall McCune, professor of social studies at the University of Minnesota.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into three series: War Department, National Institute for the Promotion of Science, and Biographical. The papers in the War Department series are arranged alphabetically by title. Papers in the National Institute for the Promotion of Science papers are arranged first under loose categories: miscellaneous, pamphlets, and publications; each smaller section is then arranged alphabetically by title or type of papers.
Papers regarding Alpha Tau Omega, fraternity at the University of Minnesota, collected by George McCune have been removed from this collection and placed in the Alpha Tau Omega Papers (collection #639). In addition, microfilm copies of the Daily National Intelligencer (Washington, D.C.) originally published from December 24, 1839 to February 7, 1851 were removed from the collection and transferred to Wilson Library. These microfilm copies were part of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science series in McCune's collection.
Source of acquisition
The collection was deposited personally by George McCune on September 3, 1985.
- Circulars Subject Source: Unspecified ingested source
- Correspondence. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Memoranda Subject Source: Unspecified ingested source
- Microfilm. Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Military history Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Notecards Subject Source: Unspecified ingested source
- Notes Subject Source: Unspecified ingested source
- Publications Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Reports Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Smithsonian Institution -- History
- United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
- World War, 1939-1945. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- George Hall McCune papers, 1835-1967
- Author
- Archives Staff; updated by Karen Spilman
- Date
- Updated May 2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Collecting Area Details
Contact The University Archives Collecting Area
