Frank Wenstrom Papers, 1936-1994

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Collection Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Collection Historical Note

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Republican Party, 1962-1986

This series contains information about the North Dakota Republican Party and its activities from the years 1962 to 1986. It includes letters, meeting minutes, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, newsletters, and some financial information. These materials mainly document the campaigning and election of Republicans for state and national offices. General administrative functions are reflected in Executive Committee meeting minutes and reports.

Box 1

Folder 1: Republican Party, 1962

Folder 2: Republican Party, 1964

Folder 3: Republican Party- Legislative Conference, August 24, 1964

Folder 4: Republican Party- Newspaper Clippings, 1963-65, undated

Folder 5: Republican Party, 1965-66

Folder 6: Republican Party, 1967

Folder 7: Republican Party, 1968

Folder 8: Republican Party, 1970

Folder 9: Republican Party, 1972

Folder 10: Republican Party, 1973

Folder 11: Republican Party, 1974

Folder 12: Republican Party- Telephone Polling, 1975

Folder 13: Republican Party, 1986

Series 2: Legislative Research Committee

The Legislative Research Committee, renamed the Legislative Council in 1969, was formed in 1945. Its purpose was to prepare bills for consideration by the legislature, perform legislature directed studies and present the information found. Wenstrom was a member of this committee from 1957-60 and was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Constitutional Revision from 1965-66. This series includes correspondence between committee members, meeting minutes, reports containing background on proposed constitutional revisions. The LRC studied a wide range of subject matters such as taxation, education, and natural resources.

Box 1

Folder 14: Facts and Duties of the LRC, undated

Folder 15: Meeting Minutes, 1965-66

Folder 16: Notes for Discussion, 1965-66

Folder 17: Natural Resource Subcommittee, 1960-6

Folder 18: Article 54, 1963

Folder 19: Correspondence, 1963-66

Folder 20: Constitutional Revisions, Reports and Recommendations, undated Comparisons of 4 States, 1965

Folder 21: Constitutional Revision Proposals, undated

Folder 22: Constitutional Revision Outline and Analysis, 1966

Folder 23: Legislative Post Audit and Fiscal Review, 1962

Folder 24: LRC Newspaper Clippings, 1964, undated

Series 3: Correspondence, 1958-1989

This series contains correspondence to and from constituents and colleagues between the years 1958 to 1989.

Box 1

Folder 25: Correspondence, 1958-60

Folder 26: Correspondence, 1961-62

Folder 27: Correspondence, 1963, folder 1

Folder 28: Correspondence, 1963, folder 2

Folder 29: Correspondence, 1964-65

Folder 30: Correspondence, 1966-67, undated

Folder 31: Correspondence, 1968-69, undated

Box 2

Folder 1: Correspondence, 1970-71, undated

Folder 2: Correspondence- during legislative Session- folder 1, 1972-73

Folder 3: Correspondence- during legislative Session- folder 2, 1972-73

Folder 4: Correspondence- post-legislative session, 1973-76

Folder 5: Correspondence, 1977, 1984-89

Series 4: North Dakota Water Issues

This series reflects Wenstrom’s concern with North Dakota water issues. It contains information on the North Dakota Water Users Association, the Garrison Diversion, and tribal control of Lake Sakakawea.

Box 2

Folder 6: North Dakota Water Users Association, 1956-64, undated

Folder 7: North Dakota Water Users Association, 1969-73, 1979

Folder 8: North Dakota Water Users Association, 1992

Folder 9: Hydroelectric Power Plants on the Missouri River, 1962, 1964

Folder 10: Garrison Diversion-General, 1960-64, undated

Folder 11: Garrison Diversion Ground Breaking Ceremony July 13-14, 1968

Folder 12: Garrison Diversion, 1975,79,84, undated

Folder 13: Garrison Diversion- Newspaper Clippings, 1975-89, undated

Folder 14: Garrison Diversion Unit Commission- Newsletters and Press Releases, 1984-89

Folder 15: Garrison Diversion- Pick-Sloan Plan, 1984,89, undated

Folder 16: Garrison Diversion- Senate Speech by Wenstrom undated

Folder 17: Lake Sakakawea, Tribal Control of (Petition, Constituent Correspondence, and Newspaper Clippings), 1982

Folder 18: Fort Peck Dam, 1990

Oversize Folder 1

Separated and placed in the Oversize File Cabinets.

Item 1: ND State Water Commission Map, "Progress Map Showing Major Glacial Drift Aquifers in North Dakota and Estimated Potential Yields," 1972

Series 5: Yellowstone, Missouri, Fort Union Confluence Commission/ND Historic Sites

The Yellowstone, Missouri, Fort Union Confluence Commission was formed to restore Forts Union and Buford and other North Dakota Historic Sites and ensure their preservation. Another closely related organization in which Wenstrom was involved was Friends of Fort Union Trading Post. Included are correspondence, agendas, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and newsletters from 1958-94.

Wenstrom was a member of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, an organization with responsibility for preserving the history of all North Dakota citizens. SHSND files contain speeches, newspaper clippings, and correspondence from 1968-88 pertaining to North Dakota Forts and Historical Sites.

This series also includes information on the Lewis and Clark Trail from 1982 and the North Dakota Heritage Foundation from 1988. These folders include correspondence, pamphlets, and general information.

Box 2

Folder 19: Yellowstone, Missouri, Fort Union Commission- correspondence, 1958-94, undated

Folder 20: Yellowstone, Missouri, Fort Union Commission- General, 1959, 62-63, 69, 89, undated

Folder 21: Yellowstone, Missouri, Fort Union Commission- Agendas and Meeting Minutes, 1960-63, 1985-94

Folder 22: Forts Union and Buford- Newspaper Clippings and Pamphlets, 1966-89, undated

Folder 23: Confluence News, Friends of the Fort Union Trading Post, 1985-90, 1993

Folder 24: Friends of the Fort Union Trading Post, 1986, 89, undated

Folder 25: Fort Union Dedication (August 12-13, 1989)- Newspaper Clippings, 1989

Folder 26: North Dakota Historic Sites, 1958, 69, 75, 1986-87, undated

Folder 27: Historic Sites of North Dakota, report on and preservation of, 1967, undated

Folder 28: State Historical Society, 1968-69, 1988, undated

Folder 29: State Historical Society of ND- Newspaper clippings, 1972-75

Folder 30: Lewis and Clark Trail Information, 1982, undated

Folder 31: North Dakota Heritage Foundation, 1988

Series 6: North Dakota Silver Haired Assembly, 1980-1988

The North Dakota Silver Haired Assembly was formed in 1980 to educate elderly citizens about the legislative process. Materials in this series include correspondence, newspaper clippings, copies of resolutions, meeting minutes, and notes. Issues concerned include health care, social security, and insurance for the elderly.

Box 2

Folder 32: NDSHA, 1984-89

Folder 33: Elder Abuse Laws: A Survey of State Statutes, undated

Folder 34: Oasis (Old Age and Survivor Insurance System) SB 2306, undated

Folder 35: Health Care Reform SB 2278, 1985

Folder 36: Health Care Costs- Walt Domrese talk to committee, 1985

Folder 37: Bill of Rights for Elderly and Handicapped SB 2277, 1985

Folder 38: Retirement Committee Report, 1986

Folder 39: Silver Haired Legislative Assembly, 1988-89

Folder 40: Health Care for the Elderly, 1988-89

Folder 41: Nurse Practitioner Bills, 1980-81, 85, undated

Series 7: General Legislative Files

Frank Wenstrom was State Senator and Lieutenant Governor for 30 years. This series encompasses a wide variety of topics and is arranged chronologically. Files contain background information on legislative issues including taxation, education, transportation, health, agriculture issues, and management of natural resources. Wenstrom’s State Senator years include correspondence, newspaper clippings, speeches, reports, and copies of legislative bills. Also included is a scrapbook documenting the 1969 Legislative Session.

During Wenstrom’s tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he visited the Minot Air Force Base to witness the turnover of Minutemen Missiles to Strategic Air Command. This series documents his visit and also contains some background material on the SAC. Wenstrom also attended a Governor’s Conference and a Lieutenant Governor’s Conference from which there are summary reports and correspondence. Also during this time Wenstrom was Chairman of the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee from 1963 to 1964. His activities in this group include an audit of ND State Insurance Commissioner Frank Albers, investigated for the misuse of state funds.

Box 2

Folder 42: Speeches (not by Frank Wenstrom), 1954, 61-65, undated

Folder 43: Education 1957-59

Folder 44: North Dakota Highway 85 Association and International Parks Highway Association, 1958-64, undated

Folder 45: Statuary Hall, 1959

Folder 46: Dakota Salt and General Carbon, 1959-61

Folder 47: TB and Respiratory Disease Association, 1959-64

Folder 48: Tax Referral Information, 1961-64, undated

Folder 49: Personal Newspaper Clippings, 1962-64

Folder 50: Airport Commission, 1962

Folder 51: Roosevelt Park Committee, 1959-62

Folder 52: North Dakota Mental Health Association, 1960, 64, 67

Folder 53: Speeches on the Oil Industry, 1961-63, undated

Folder 54: Correspondence with Governor Guy, 1962-64

Folder 55: Legislative Material (Wenstrom is Lt. Governor), 1963

Box 3

Folder 1: Albers, Frank- Audit, 1963

Folder 2: Governor’s Conference, 1963-64

Folder 3: National Conference of Lieutenant Governors 1963-64

Folder 4: Foundation of the North American Indian Culture, 1963-64

Folder 5: Agriculture, 1963-64, 69

Folder 6: Minot Air Force Base, 1963-64, undated

Folder 7: Strategic Air Command, 1964, undated

Folder 8: General Clippings, 1963-64, undated

Folder 9: Young Citizens League Convention, 1964

Folder 10: Employing the Handicapped and Removing Architectural Barriers, 1964

Folder 11: Young and Burdick Correspondence, 1964, 69-75

Folder 12: Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review, 1965

Folder 13: Speech by Wenstrom Before Senate Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, undated

Folder 14: Junior and Vocational Colleges, 1959, 67

Folder 15: Education, 1967

Folder 16: Taxes, 1967

Folder 17: Soldiers’ Home Check Writing, 1967

Folder 18: County Commissioners, 1967

Folder 19: State Planning Agency, 1967(?)

Folder 20: Milk Prices HB 596, 1967

Folder 21: Research Subcommittee, 1968

Folder 22: Speeches by Frank Wenstrom, 1968, 70, undated

Folder 23: 1969 Legislative Session

Folder 24: Scrapbook of Newspaper Clippings, 1969

Folder 25: Ignite (Controversial Student Paper at UND), 1969

Folder 26: Special Elections Committee, 1970, undated

Folder 27: State Aid to Parochial Schools, 1970-71

Folder 28: General Clipping, 1970

Folder 29: Natural Resource Development, 1970-74

Folder 30: Case and Council- Article on Social Services by Frank Wenstrom, 1972

Folder 31: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse SB 2346 (introduced by Wenstrom), 1973

Folder 32: Repeal of Grocery Tax, 1973

Folder 33: 1973 Legislative Session, Newspaper Clippings folder 1

Folder 34: 1973 Legislative Session, Newspaper Clippings folder 2

Folder 35: Appropriations, 1973-74

Folder 36: Coal Legislation, 1975

Folder 37: Energy from Natural Resources, 1976-77, 82-83 undated

Folder 38: Liberty Bell Award, 1977

Folder 39: School for the Deaf, 1978-79

Folder 40: Salaries of Elected State Officials, 1979, 85

Folder 41: Taxing Mineral Acres, 1979

Folder 42: Muir, Kenneth B., 1980

Folder 43: Measures #2, 6, and 7, 1981, undated

Folder 44: Social Welfare Laws (ND, 1862-1979), 1981

Folder 45: Clippings of North Dakota Legislators, 1981, 88, undated

Folder 46: State Penitentiary Summit Conference, 1982

Folder 47: Transportation, 1981-82, 91

Folder 48: Mondak Bridge- General, 1981, undated

Folder 49: Mondak Bridge- Correspondence, 1978- 82, undated

Folder 50: Mondak Bridge Dedication- Sept. 3, 1985

Folder 51: District Court Library- Williston ND, 1982- 83, undated

Folder 52: Oil Drilling and Exploration, 1982, undated

Folder 53: 1983 Legislative Session- General

Folder 54: Court Records: Destruction and Retention SB 2446, 1983

Folder 55: Camp Grafton, 1982-85, undated

Folder 56: Junior and Vocational Colleges, 1983-85

Folder 57: Weather Modification, 1983-86, 88, undated

Folder 58: North Dakota State Government, 1984

Folder 59: Living Wills, 1984

Folder 60: The Legislative Process in North Dakota 1984, 87, undated

Folder 61: Frank Wenstrom Library for Student Research of State Government- UND, 1984

Folder 62: Constitutional Revision notes, 1984-86, undated

Folder 63: Education, 1984-87

Folder 64: NDSU Carrington Research/Extension Center, 1985-86

Folder 65: Great Plains Gasification SB 2257, undated

Box 4

Folder 1: North Dakota Department of Human Services, 1985

Folder 2: Building Authority- HB 1558, 1985

Folder 3: Legislative Session Newspaper Clippings; Governor Sinner’s Inaugural Message, 1985

Folder 4: Farm Finance, 1985-86

Folder 5: Labor Day Speeches, 1986

Folder 6: Agriculture/The Family Farm, 1986

Folder 7: Gambling/State Lottery, 1986-90

Folder 8: Governor’s Conference on Public Education, 1986

Folder 9: Legislative Compensation Commission- Correspondence, 1987-92

Folder 10: Legislative Compensation Commission- General Information and Material, 1988-92

Folder 11: Legislative Compensation Commission- Agendas and Meeting Minutes, 1988-92

Folder 12: Insurance, Torts, Guardianships, and Trusts, 1988

Folder 13: Year of the Family Steering Committee, 1988

Folder 14: Population Trends and Statistics, 1988, 1990

Folder 15: Job Corps Training Center- Minot, 1989

Folder 16: Special Election, 1989

Folder 17: No Vote- Measures 3,4, and 7 (folder 1), 1989

Folder 18: No Vote- Measures 3,4, and 7 (folder 2), 1989

Folder 19: Hoffine, Lyla (author of White Buffalo), undated

Folder 20: Mailing/Contact List of Organizations, undated

Folder 24: Miscellaneous Correspondence

Folder 25: Correspondence between Wenstrom and Dr. Gordon Palmer of the "Christian Patriotism Hour"

Folder 26: Order of the Eastern Star

Folder 27: 1971 State Constitutional Convention

Folder 28: Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings

Folder 29: Vigilance Club of Virginia City, 1936

Folder 30: Miscellaneous

Folder 31: Small Scrapbook Containing Miscellaneous Items, 1960-1972

Folder 32: Contents of Large Scrapbook (1st Folder): Documents Relating to 1962 Election

Folder 33: Contents of Large Scrapbook (2nd Folder): Documents Relating to 1962 Election (continued)

Folder 34: Contents of Binder A (1st Folder), 1976-1977

Folder 35: Contents of Binder A (2nd Folder), 1976-1977

Folder 36: Contents of Binder B, 1980-1982

Box 5

Folder 1: Contents of Binder C (1st Folder), 1984

Folder 2: Contents of Binder C (2nd Folder), 1984

Folder 3: Contents of Binder D, 1986

Folder 4: Contents of Binder E (1st Folder), 1986-1988

Folder 5: Contents of Binder E (2nd Folder), 1986-1988

Folder 6: Contents of Binder F (1st Folder), 1990

Folder 7: Contents of Binder F (2nd Folder), 1990

Box 7

Folder 22: Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee-1963-1964

Oversize Folder 1

Separated and placed in the Oversize File Cabinets

Item 2: Williams County Mill Levy, 1956

Item 3: Williams County Mill Levy, 1957

Item 4: Emmons County Tax Levy, 1970

Series 8: Certificates and Awards

This series contains various certificates, plaques, and other symbols of recognition presented to Frank Wenstrom for his various achievements and accomplishments throughout his life.  Included is an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of North Dakota.

Box 4

Folder 21: Diploma - Honorary Degree, University of North Dakota

Folder 22: Miscellaneous Awards and Certificates

Box 5

Folder 9: Miscellaneous Certificates

Folder 10: UND-Williston Recognition Plaque

Folder 11: Northwest Human Service Center Appreciation Plaque

Folder 12: North Dakota State Nurses Association Plaque

Folder 13: State Bar Association Plaque

Folder 14: Greater North Dakota Association Service Award

Folder 15: FFA Plaque-Honorary Chapter Farmer

Folder 16: Gavel from the People of Williams County, 1963

Box 6

Folder 2: Oversize Certificates

Item 1: Distinguished Service Citation from Bismarck Junior College, May 15, 1981

Item 2: Citation from the US Treasury Department for the US Savings Bonds Program, March 10, 1964

Item 3: Pioneer Certificate from the Hamilton County (Indiana) Sesquicentennial Commission to Esther Wenstrom in honor of Harmon Stanley's arrival in Hamilton County in 1854

Item 1: Plaque of the Seal of the State of North Dakota, signed by attendees at the Frank Wenstrom Appreciation Night, November 16, 1991

Series 9: North Dakota Constitutional Convention

This series contains materials related to the Constitutional Convention in North Dakota from 1971-1972, which Wenstrom served as President.  Included are programs of the convention, correspondence from residents regarding proposed changes, correspondence to committees, schedules, committee reports, and other items related to the convention.

Box 7

Folder 1: Constitutional Convention Business and Correspondence

Folder 2: Constitutional Convention Correspondence

Folder 3: Constitutional Convention-Chaplain Schedule, Rules, and Parliamentary Procedures

Folder 4: Correspondence from Children about Convention

Folder 5: Maps of ND Capitol Building and 1889 Constitutional Convention Districts

Folder 6: Correspondence on Resolutions and Political Offices

Folder 7: Delegates News Service and Misc. Correspondence

Folder 8: Convention Press Releases, July-December 1971

Folder 9: Convention Press Releases, December 1971-April 1972 and undated

Folder 10: Legislative Functions Correspondence

Folder 11: Executive Functions Correspondence

Folder 12: Correspondence on Education, Resources, and Public Lands

Folder 13: Correspondence on Preamble, Bill of Rights, and Suffrage

Folder 14: Correspondence on Finances and Taxation

Folder 15: Committee on Education, Resources, and Public Lands Reports

Folder 16: Committee on Judicial Functions and Political Subdivisions Reports

Folder 17: Finance and Taxation Committee Report

Folder 18: Executive Functions Committee Report

Folder 19: Legislative Committee Functions Report

Folder 20: Style and Drafting Committee Report

Folder 21: Preamble, Bill of Rights, and Suffrage Committee Report

Series 10: Photographs

Box 4

Folder 23: Photographs

Photograph 13: Frank Wenstrom and Dr. Cartwright

Photograph 14: Group of women, including Esther Wenstrom

Photograph 15: Frank Wenstrom, Marge Trenbeath, and Grant Trenbeath

Photograph 16: Federation of Women's Clubs Day at the State Legislature, 1979

Photograph 17: Esther Wenstrom at Frank Wenstrom's Desk in the State Legislature

Photograph 18: Frank Wenstrom (portrait)

Photograph 19: Photograph of Frank and Esther Wenstrom with the Williston School Board, 1992

Box 5

Folder 8: Photographs

Photograph 1: "Colonel Frank Wenstrom Day," 6th Infantry, Fort Buford, June 15, 1969

Wenstrom is wearing a Civil War era uniform

Photograph 2: Wenstrom giving a speech behind a podium

Photograph 3: Wenstrom at his desk in the State Capitol

Photograph 4: Wenstrom at opening day of the 1963 North Dakota legislative session

Photograph 5: Wenstrom and Roger Maris

Photograph 6: Wenstrom seated behind a council dais

Photograph 7: Wenstrom and William Potter, Executive Vice President of the New York World's Fair, May 21, 1964

Photograph 8: Wenstrom and ND Governor William Guy at the ND Constitutional Convention, April 6, 1971

Photograph 9: Wenstrom presiding over the ND Constitutional Convention, April 6, 1971

Photograph 10: Wenstrom with a large fish taken from Black Bear Island Lake in Saskatchewan, July 1980

Photograph 11: Wenstrom speaking at the dedication of the Mon-Dak Bridge, September 3, 1985

Photograph 12: Wenstrom at his desk in the State Capitol

Box 6

Folder 1: Oversize Photographs

Item 1: Frank Wenstrom in the halls of the North Dakota State Capitol

Item 2: Frank and Esther Wenstrom (portrait)

Item 3: Wenstrom (portrait)

Item 4: Wenstrom speaking at a podium

Item 5: President Richard Nixon and Wenstrom shaking hands in the White House, February 23, 1971

Item 6: Wenstrom signing documents at his desk