Guide to the Robert N. Cheetham Papers 1942-1968
Cage 114

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Related Materials

Separated Material

Newspapers, pamphlets and other material collected by Cheetham were removed from this collection for individual cataloging.

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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

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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