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Chief of Education and Information Ralph Hager's administrative and reference files, 1953-1963 (bulk 1961-1963).
Amount:
1.0 cubic ft.
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Arranged by subject.
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Biographical/Historical:
The Board of Parks and Historic Memorials, commonly known as the Florida Park Service, was originally created in 1935 (Chapter 17025, Laws of Florida) and was administered within the Board of Forestry. The park service's first eight parks were designed and built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1949, the park service became an independent agency, the Board of Parks and Historic Memorials (Ch. 25353, Laws). Its purpose was to administer and control the operation and development of the state parks and historic sites of Florida. In 1969, the Board was merged with the Outdoor Recreational Development Council (Ch. 63-36, Laws) to form the Division of Recreation and Parks (Ch. 69-106, Laws), under the Department of Natural Resources. The Division eventually moved to the newly created Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 1993 (Ch. 93-213, Laws). During the 1960s, the Florida Park Service's administrative staff consisted of a Board comprised of five governor-appointed citizens, a director, assistant director, fiscal agent, publicity chief, and various stenographers. The first director was Charles H. Schaeffer, who served in that position from 1935 to 1937. He was followed by H.J. Malsberger (1937-1940) and Lewis Scoggin (1940-1952). After Emmet Hill's tenure (1953-1960), the board saw two more directors -- Walter Coldwell (1960-1963) and N.E. "Bill" Miller (1963-1969) -- before merging into the Division of Recreation and Parks in 1969.
After becoming an independent agency in 1949, the Board created the position of Chief of Information and Education to implement and coordinate publicity, public interpretation such as brochures, signs, and exhibits, marketing, and handle public relations for the Florida Park Service. The first chief was Carl Liddle, who left in 1952. He was followed by Charles H. Schaeffer, former park service director, in 1953. Following Schaeffer's death in October 1959, Ralph Hager assumed the position.
Summary:
Chief of Information and Education Ralph Hager's administrative and reference files were used to document the Florida Park Service's activities and operations for use in publicity and public relations. Records include surveys, correspondence with other state agencies and legislators, annual reports, long-range plans, statistical and visitation studies, trip reports, budgets, and financial records. These files provide information on the parks' historical and natural resources, Florida tourism, the Board of Parks' activities, daily park operations, and future development plans.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
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Associated Materials:
Series S1948, Reading Files, 1957-1960, contains Hager's correspondence from 1960. Series S1945, Charles H. Schaeffer's Administrative and Reference Files, 1936-1959, contains material on Hager's predecessor as Chief of Information and Education.
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Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Florida Park Service. Florida. Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. Parks and Historic Memorials, Board of. Florida Development Commission.
Parks Florida Tourism Florida. Recreation Florida. Outdoor recreation Florida Public relations Florida
Clippings. aat Reports. aat Budgets. aat Financial records. aat
Highlands Hammock State Park (Fla.) Fort Clinch (Fernandina Beach, Fla.) John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Fla.) O'Leno State Park (Fla.)
for detailed listing.