Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Guide to the Robert N. Cheetham Papers
1942-1968
Cage 114
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections
- Creator
- Cheetham, Robert N., 1896-1968
- Title
- Robert N. Cheetham Papers
- ID
- Cage 114
- Date [inclusive]
- 1942-1968
- Extent
- 1 Linear foot of shelf space, 2 Boxes
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- The papers of journalist Robert Cheetham consist of correspondence, clippings of his articles, research notes, drafts, photographs, pamphlets, certificates and awards and other papers primarily concerned with his writing and research in Northern Idaho history and current events.
Preferred Citation
[Item description]
Robert N. Cheetham Papers, 1942-1968 (Cage 114)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
Biography/History
Robert N. Cheetham was born in 1896. He enlisted in the Navy in 1915 and served until 1946 when he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following his naval career he was Chief of Medical Procurement for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration until the termination of that organization in 1947. Subsequently, Cheetham joined the Rhode Island Department of Employment Security and married Lois Leigh Sanborn (1912-1967) of Newport, Rhode Island. Having developed a recreational interest in gems, Cheetham moved in 1952 to Sandpoint, Idaho, to pursue gem-stones in the field. Until his retirement in 1961 Cheetham was employed by the Idaho Employment Security Agency working with individuals with disabilities. During this period and probably under the influence of his wife, a high-school English teacher, Cheetham began to develop his writing skills. He wrote news releases and reports for the ESA and began freelance work for the Sandpoint and Spokane newspapers, primarily local news stories. After his retirement from ESA he devoted more and more time to this. His friendship and correspondence with James Michener, another formal naval officer turned author, was also influential. In the late fifties he became active in the Bonner County Museum, helped organize the David Thompson Sesquicentennial Symposium and edited the proceedings of that symposium. This led him into historical research in Pacific Northwest history which he continued until his death in Moscow, Idaho, in 1968.
Scope and Content
The papers of journalist Robert Cheetham consist of correspondence, clippings of his articles, research notes, drafts, photographs, pamphlets, certificates and awards and other papers which, although dating from Cheetham's Second World War experiences, are primarily concerned with his writing and research in Northern Idaho history and current events. Included are a recorded interview with Ethel Page Westwood, and correspondence with James Michener. As well as correspondence, legal, and financial papers of Mrs. Cheetham and the Sanborn Family of Rhode Island, 1864-1934.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections © 2022
https://libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions apply.
Acquisition Information
The papers were gifted by Robert N. Cheetham in multiple accessions between 1962-1967.
Processing Information
The Cheetham papers were initially processed in 1967 and reprocessed by Terry Abraham in 1973.
In 2022, in response to evolving standards regarding the language used to describe individuals and communities with disabilities, Gayle O’Hara revised this finding aid.
Related Materials
Separated Material
Newspapers, pamphlets and other material collected by Cheetham were removed from this collection for individual cataloging.
Names and Subjects
Family Name(s)
- Sanborn family
Geographic Name(s)
- Sandpoint (Idaho) -- History -- Sources
- Idaho -- History -- Sources
Personal Name(s)
Subject(s) :
- Cheetham, Robert N., 1896-1968 -- Archives
- Westwood, Ethel Page, 1875-1964
- Thompson, David, 1770-1857
Creator(s) :
- Michener, James A. (James Albert), 1907-1997
Subject(s)
- Idaho
Detailed Description of Collection
box | folder | |||
Correspondence, certificates, awards, photographs, clippings and other papers 1941-1961 |
1 | 1 | ||
Correspondence 1947-1962 |
1 | 2 | ||
Correspondence 1963-1966 |
1 | 3 | ||
David Thompson Sesquicentennial Symposium. Edited by Robert N. Cheetham. Sandpoint, Idaho. Bonner County Museum 1960 56 p. illus. |
1 | 4 | ||
David Thompson Sesquicentennial Symposium. Correspondence, drafts, clippings and other papers 1958-1960 |
1 | 5 | ||
Donor file 1961-1968 |
1 | 6 | ||
Clippings 1950-1962 |
1 | 7 | ||
Clippings 1953-1962 |
2 | 8 | ||
Correspondence, research notes, drafts, photographs and clippings for articles on citenzenship ceremony, Sandpoint High School, Boyd A. Martin, and Mrs. O.B. Porter. 1961-1962 |
2 | 9 | ||
Correspondence, research notes, drafts, photographs, and clippings on Harry Tracy, the Flathead Valley, FBI National Academy, Chief Joseph, James Strang, and Bison. 1957-1963 |
2 | 10 | ||
Correspondence, research notes, drafts, photographs and clippings for article on L.V. McWhorter and Chief Joseph. 1963-1964 |
2 | 11 | ||
Correspondence, drafts, and photographs for articles on Edward J. Elliott, early steamboats on Lake Pend Oreille. 1956 |
2 | 12 | ||
Correspondence, notes, drafts, clippings and photographs on Northern Idaho. 1958-1968 |
2 | 13 | ||
Christmas in Moscow. Correspondence, notes, drafts, clippings and photographs 1964 |
2 | 14 | ||
Correspondence, notes, drafts, and photographs for article on Idaho National Guard. 1964-1965 |
2 | 15 | ||
Interview of Dr. Ethel Page Westwood, pioneer Sandpoint Physician, by Robert N. Cheetham, Sandpoint, Idaho Phono tape: approx. 30 min. 7 1/2 rps. 1/2 track monaural. Also clippings. 28-Oct-58 |
2 | 16 | ||
Sanborn Family Papers. Correspondence, certificates, photographs, legal and financial papers, geneology, and other printed material of Mrs. Cheetham's personal and family papers, Newport, Rhode Island 1864-1934 |
2 | 17 | ||