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Grant Foreman Collection, 18th century to 1940's.

 Collection
Identifier: MS-1944-67

Scope and Contents

Drafts of Foreman’s manuscripts are in this collection. The original manuscripts in this collection were written mostly in the 1930’s and 40’s; the great number of transcripts and Photostats are mostly from 18th and 19th century sources. Practically all relate to the social, political and economic development of Indian Territory and the State of Oklahoma.

The original manuscripts are largely the correspondence Mr. Foreman maintained with person who could furnish historical information or who were interested in the activities which engaged his attention.

The largest part of the collection is composed of transcripts of all descriptions, except microfilm. There are over 700 photostats from all types of sources. There are thousands of pages of historical data transcribed in over 100 libraries and institutions by the Foremans themselves and the persons hired by them. An interesting portion of these transcriptions are in the handwriting of both the Foremans in pencil notebooks. There are forty-three such in the Gilcrease library and thirty-four in the Indian Archives of the Oklahoma Historical Society. These books register the change from right to left hand when Mr. Foreman suffered a stroke, partially paralyzing his right side.

Dates

  • Creation: 18th century to 1940's

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access is by appointment only.

Biographical / Historical

Grant Foreman, an attorney of Muskogee, Indian Territory, chose for his life work, the history of this area and published many books on the subject. He served as an attorney, especially on land questions, for the Dawes Commission. He was instrumental in establishing the Oklahoma Historical Society and was one of its directors. He was also responsible for the preservation and gathering in one place the records of the Five Civilized Tribes. His wife, Carolyn (Thomas), was also a writer of many aspects of eastern Oklahoma history. She died in 1966.

Extent

15 Linear Feet (84 boxes.)

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Mr. Foreman by Mr. Gilcrease in 1944.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum Repository

Contact:
1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.
Tulsa Ok 74127
918-631-6441