Harold L. Peterson was an expert on arms and armor and did consulting outside as well as within the Park Service. He belonged to several professional organizations and received numerous awards and honors. He authored many books and articles on arms and armor, military and social history, including some for children. He was also interested in and played military music, some of which was recorded. His office drew up a four-page summary of his experience, publications, books, professional organizations, awards, honors and interests, a copy of which is attached to this inventory.

Although noted for his expertise in martial affairs, Harold L. Peterson was personally a gentle, peaceful, religious man. He carried on a long battle with illness and disease, but continued working to the end and was noted for his cheerful humor. He was an inveterate collector of arms, armor, and antiques in general. Peterson's expertise and qualities as a historical scholar were widely recognized. His legacy is felt not only in his writings but also in the collections and exhibits of the National Park Service.

Because of Peterson's reputation as an international expert in the field, the correspondence labeled "Arms and Armor"; "Inquiries, Cannon Guns and Gunsmiths"; and "Inquiries, Swords" should be interesting. The correspondence on interpretive operations and artifacts pertaining to the parks and areas would also be interesting. Those concerned with the Eastern National Park and Monument Association (ENPMA) might want to look into Peterson's files on his activities as a very active board member. Military historians of the 20th century should look over the Historic Evaluation and Research Organization (HERO) material compiled for the military by Peterson as well as the above-mentioned correspondence on military artifacts. The home boxes are interesting from the light they throw on the activities of an author.

The Peterson Papers only cover the second half of H. L. Peterson's career. Material is not present from his work in Wisconsin or the first half of his Park Service career. Overall, the office correspondence reflects Peterson's roles as Chief Curator, arms and armor expert, historian, and consultant within the framework of the National Park Service. The home file reflects his activities as a prolific author that goes hand in hand with his Park Service work. Works authored before 1961 are not represented. The National Park Service greatly encouraged Peterson's writing.

Consists of 12 folders that hold copies of correspondence, forms, notes, and publications. They deal with finances, planning, and personnel. Folders dealing with specific employees were removed before the material was transferred. The correspondence is arranged in reverse chronological order. They are in Record Box 1. The series was arranged and labeled by Peterson's office in Springfield, Va. (since closed and moved to Charles Town, WV).

Administrative Matters 1976-

Administrative Matters 1971-1975

Administrative Matters 1964-1970

Administrative Matters - Financial

Administrative Matters - Financial, Fiscal Year 1974

Administrative Matters - Planning

Clearinghouse

Division of Museums

Division of Reference Services

Harpers Ferry Center

Museum Development Personnel Correspondence

Museum Job Descriptions

Series 2 - Associations and Organizations

Consists of 48 folders, over 2 record boxes of agendas, correspondence, lists, notes, periodicals, programs, and reports. They concern Peterson's membership in and dealings with the association named on the folder heading. The folders are in alphabetical order with the material in reverse chronological order. There are 13 folders dealing with the Eastern National Park and Monument Association (ENPMA). This material is in Record Boxes 1, 2, and 3. The series was arranged and labeled by Peterson's office.

Advisory Council - re The Rome Center 1972

Advisory Council - re The Rome Center 1971

Advisory Council - re The Rome Center 1969

American Association of Museums

American Association for State and Local History

American Freedom Train

American Revolution Round Table

Bicentennial 1975-

Bicentennial through 1974

Bicentennial Ordnance

Bicentennial Poster

Bicentennial Poster Correspondence

Company of Military Historians 6/74-

Company of Military Historians through 5/76

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 1/77-

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 7/76-12/76

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 1975

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 7/73-12/74

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 1971-6/73

Eastern National Park and Monument Association 1968-1970

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Publications Committee 1/76-1/78

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Publications Committee 9/75-12/75

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Publications Committee 1/74-8/75

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Publications Committee through 12/73

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Requests to Publish - Volume I

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Requests to Publish - Volume II

Eastern National Park and Monument Association Requests to Publish - Volume III

Field Artillery Museum Association

International Association of Arms and Military History

International Centre Committee - Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation

International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

Institute for Conservation Advisory Board

ICOM Laboratories Committee

ICOM Laboratories Committee - Replies to Gettens Questionnaire

Maryland Historical Trust

Museum of Our National Heritage

National Conservation Advisory Council 1/76-

National Conservation Advisory Council 6/75-12/75

National Conservation Advisory Council through 5/75

National Conservation Advisory Council Brochures

National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities

National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities Proposals

National Historic Society

National Rifle Association

National Trust for Historic Preservation

New York State Historical Association

UNESCO Convention 1972

Washington Committee of Correspondence

Washington Region Conservation Guild

Series 3A. Arms and Armor Correspondence

Consists of 10 folders dated from January, 1964 to 1967.( with coverage up to Peterson's death).

Series 3B. Foreign Correspondence

Foreign Correspondence 6/77

Foreign Correspondence 1/76-5/77

Foreign Correspondence through 12/75

Foreign Correspondence - Canada 6/76-

Foreign Correspondence - Canada through 5/76

Foreign Correspondence - England 1/75-

Foreign Correspondence - England 12/74

Foreign Correspondence - England through 12/74

Series 3C. Miscellaneous Correspondence

General Correspondence - 1/76-

General Correspondence - 1972-1975

General Correspondence - 1971

General Correspondence - 1970

General Correspondence - 1/76-

General Correspondence - 1972-1975

General Correspondence - 1971

General Correspondence - 1970

General Correspondence - 1964-1969

Interpretation-Painting Correspondence

Invitations

Living History Program

Military Music in American, Form Reply

Museum Correspondence 1966-1968

Museum Study Team Correspondence

Regional Office Correspondence 5/77-

Regional Office Correspondence through 4/77

X-ray Ordnance - Indian Head, Maryland

Series 3D. Inquiries

Ammunition

Appraisals

Axes

Books

Cannon 6/75-

Cannon 1972-5/75

Cannon 1964-1971

Drawings

Flags

Fortifications

General 1/75-

General through 1974

Glass

Guns and Gunsmiths 8/77-

Guns and Gunsmiths 1/75-7/77

Guns and Gunsmiths 1971-1974

Guns and Gunsmiths 1967-1970

Music

Personnel-Staffing

Photos

Regiments and Persons

Rooms

Source of Supplies

Suppliers, Acquisitions, Loans

Sword 5/77

Sword 1975-4/77

Sword 1972-1974

Sword 1971

Sword 1967-1970

Tomahawks

Uniforms
 
 

Series 4 - Parks and Areas

Consists of 113 folders, over 3 record boxes of incoming and outgoing correspondence (including memos) as well as notes regarding artifacts connected with interpretive operations at various parks and areas. The site is named on the folder heading and those named in the correspondence in the 3 general folders are also listed. The folders are arranged alphabetically and the correspondence is in reverse chronological order. There is correspondence on the steamboat Bertrand, the gunboat Cairo (4 folders), and the Lincoln suit at Ford's Theatre. Material is in Record Boxes 5, 6, 7, and 3. The folders were arranged and labeled by Peterson's office.
 

George Washington Birthplace

Gettysburg National Military Park

Grand Portage

Guilford Courthouse National Memorial Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Hopewell

Independence National Historical Park, 1/75-

Independence National Historical Park

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Kings Mountain National Military Park

Lassen Volcanic

Longfellow National Historic Site

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Site

Marine Corps Museum

Marine Corps Museum Correspondence

Marine Corps Museum Plans

Mead Hall

Minute Man National Historical Park

Moores Creek National Historical Park

Morristown National Historical Park, 6/76-

Morristown National Historical Park through 7/76

Mound City Group

Museum of the Confederacy (Brandenburg)

Natchez Trace

Pipestone

St. Mary's City

San Juan NHS, Puerto Rico

Saratoga

Saratoga - Guns on the Heights

Saugus Ironworks

Ships The Bertrand

Ships: The Spencer

Sitka

Smithsonian Armed Forces Hall

Southeast Archeological Center

Springfield Armory

Stones River National Battlefield

Thaddeus Kosciuszko

Tumacacori National Monument

Valley Forge

Vicksburg National Memorial Park

Vicksburg NMP - the Cairo, 1969-

Vicksburg NMP - the Cairo, 1967-1968

Vicksburg NMP - the Cairo, 1966

Vicksburg NMP - the Cairo Plans

West Point Museum Fort Putnam

White House

Winterthur Museum

Woodrow Wilson Birthplace

Wright Brothers
 
 

Series 5 - Personal - H. L. Peterson

Consists of 19 folders of bibliographies, incoming and outgoing personal correspondence, employee skills inventory, lectures, memos, notes, completed personnel forms, travel forms, and travel tickets. The folders are arranged in alphabetical order according to headings - bibliography, correspondence, education, travel and others - while the contents are in reverse chronological order. This material is in Record Box 9. The series was arranged and labeled by Peterson's office.

Bibliography - H. L. Peterson

Correspondence, Personal - 1975-

Correspondence, Personal - 1972-1974

Correspondence, Personal - 1970-1971

Correspondence, Personal - 1967-1969

Correspondence, Personal - 1966

Correspondence, Personal - 1965

Correspondence, Personal - 1964

Correspondence, Personal - 1963

Correspondence, Regarding Lectures

Education - Cooperstown Graduate Program, 1967-1968

Education - Notes M-Chemistry Conservation Course

Education - Seminar Material

Speeches - H. L. Peterson

Travel, H. L. Peterson - 1966-

Travel, H. L. Peterson - 1963-1965

Travel, European Trips - 1965-1971

Travel, European Trips - 1956-1964

Virginia State Capitol Correspondence

Series 6 - Reference

This series has been divided into 2 subseries - General and Publications. There are 24 folders of general material and 4 folders of publications. The material includes correspondence, drafts, lists, proposals, publications, and surveys. The folders are arranged alphabetically while the contents are in reverse chronological order. The headings included conservation, demonstrations, ENPMA, Mission 66, museum, preservation, prints and specific artifacts among others. The publications are bulletins and newsletters of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. This material is in Record Boxes 9 and 10. The series were arranged and labeled by Peterson's office.

Series 6A. General

Conservation

Drawings

Demonstration Courses - 1967-

Demonstration Course - 1967-1968

Films

Firearms Demonstration - 3/1968

"Notes on the Fointwinder" by Cy Behutsam

ENPMA - Cowpens Manuscript

ENP&MA - Hot Springs Manuscript, Valley of the Vapors

Interpretation Talk and References

Inventory of Government Owned Oil Paintings

Mission 66 Cannon Survey - 8/57-

Mission 66 Cannon Survey - 1/57-7/57

Museums, Interpretive

Museums, MPS - Lists and General Information

National Museum Act Program - Fiscal Year 1974

Preservation

Publications

Smithsonian: List of Prints Available

South Bend Replicas, Inc. (Barnett)

"Star Dust" by Earl Jackson

U. S. Rifle Model 1862 Remington Safety Manual - 4/l/68

Bulletins of the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation - 1/76-

Bulletins of the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation - 6/75-12/75

Bulletins of the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation through 5/75

Newsletters of the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation
 
 

Series 7 - Reading Files

Consists of 18 folders of outgoing daily correspondence arranged in reverse chronological order. They are in Record Box 11. The series was arranged and labeled by Peterson's office.
.
Reading and Daily Section (18 File Folders, 1/68-12/77)

Material consists of 32 folders of memos, papers, and publications. Peterson kept this material at home and arranged it himself by what seems to be chapter headings in a publication the collection does not have. Little is known about the Historic Evaluation and Research Organization beyond the information found in these papers. The material is in 1.5 archive boxes.

Memo - January 18, 1965, Re: Payment of Fees

Mass Casualties Memo No. 8, 3/3/65

II-B-2 - Other West European Experience, Marshall Andrews, 5/4/65

II-D-2a(l) - Strategic Bombardment of Europe German Operation vs Allies, Marshall Andrews, 5/4/65

Shaw II-D-2-b(l) - Strategic Air Assault of Japan (1) Non-Nuclear Attacks

Rothenberg, 3/15/65, II-C-2 - Case Studies of Mass Attacks on Population, C. Early Modern Examples 2 other European Wars of Religion

Rothenburg, II-D-4-b. 3/23/65 - Smyrna Massacre, 1922

Rothenburg, II-D-4, 3/24/65 - Genocide in the Balkans: Yugoslavia, 1944-1945

Military, Political and Psychological Implications of Massive Population Destruction in History, a HERO Study Proposal

Mass Destruction Memo No. 5, 1/26/65

Terms of Reference - Mass Destruction

The Eighteenth Century

The Age of Gunpowder: Early Weapons

HERO - Military, Political, and Psychological Implications of Massive Population Casualties, Vol. I, 9/17/65

HERO Mass Casualties, Vol. IV

Mass Casualties Memo No. 6, 2/17/65

Revised Terms of Reference Mass Casualties

Revised Study Outline Mass Casualties

Revised Allocations of Effort Chart Mass Casualties

Mass Casualties Memo No. 15

Mass Casualties I

Mass Casualties II

Foley, II-D-5-B - Toxic Chemical Weapons, Central Pacific, World War II

Summary Final Report on Historical Trends Related to Weapon Lethality Mass Casualties Memo No. 7, 2/19/65

Addresses of Mass Casualties Participants

Recommendations for Armed Forces Museum

Mass Casualties Vol. III

Mass Casualties Vol. II

Consists of 10 folders of correspondence, papers, publications, reports, speeches, and miscellaneous material that has accumulated in the collection. There is no specific arrangement while the subjects cover curatorial matters. This material is in an archive box.

Folder - HLP Filing, contains letters of inquiry re objects and carbon of answers

Folder - Ordnance Papers, late 1600's

Report - Conference of Regional Museum Curators, September 13-18, 1964

Object Inspection Report - Cairo

Pamphlet - The National Historic Preservation Program Today, January 1976

Ft. Caroline Correspondence

Correspondence, General

Folder - ENP&MA Material

Mechanicals - separate, etc.

Series 10 - Additional Home Reference

This Material was unearthed by the librarian who said it came from Peterson's home. It consists mainly of photographs and drawings along with correspondence and clippings. The folder headings were kept as found, but it was rearranged into the categories of artillery, edged weapons, firearms, and other. It is in a record box, an archive box, and a half archive box, which are stored in the archive vault. Two large flat boxes are located in the attic (1998).

Series 10A. Artillery

Artillery

Ancient Artillery

18th Century Artillery

Federal Artillery

Recent Artillery

Series 10B. Edged weapons

Early Swords and Daggers

Series 10C. Firearms

Guns

Handguns

Long Rifles

Percussion Cartridge

Yaeger II

Series 10D. Other

Bullet Molds and Tools

Caltrops

Conservation Pictures

Crossbows

Flags

Miscellaneous

Oddities

Shipwrecks - Underwater Archeology

Series 11 - Home Files

This material was obtained from Mrs. Peterson and had been kept in the Peterson home. The material includes clippings, correspondence, drafts, drawings and illustrations, manuscripts, negatives, notes and notecards, papers, photos, prints, proofs, publications, and research material. The Chief, HFC Library arranged the Home Files and labeled them by contents. The contents/subjects concern various publications authored by Harold L. Peterson along with research material by other authors. There are 18 archive boxes of material, temporarily located in the rare book area of the library.

Box 1 Artillery

Box 2 Armor

Box 3 Note sheets for American Swords, Americans at Home; Biblio. sheets

Box 4 How-do you know its old?

Box 5 How do you know it's old? - Box 2

Box 6 Edged weapons, polearms, tomahawks, Asiatic edged weapons, notes on swords

Box 7 Illustrations, notes, manuscript American Knives

Box 8 Reference files, flags, museums and collection, HLP Collection

Box 9 Pageant of the Gun, data files: "Rifles," notes on Columbus gun

Box 10 Data files: uniform and dress, early; uniforms, 1800-1860, 1861-1865, 1865-

Box 11 Miscellaneous, miscellaneous letters received, Jamestown artifact photos

Box 12 Data file miscellaneous

Box 13 Miscellaneous publications by other authors

Box 14 Miscellaneous publications by other authors, Box 2

Box 15 Miscellaneous publications by other authors, Box 3

Box 16 Arms and Armor in Colonial America (illustrations)

Box 17 Miscellaneous slides, slides from "Fakes" lecture, "War of 1812 in Michigan"

Box 18 Notes and handwritten drafts for a book - possibly Arms and Armor in Colonial America