OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Minnesota Historical Society
Hansen, Robert E., 1926-.
Robert E. Hansen and
family papers.
1914-1988.
Correspondence, administrative records,
subject files, photographs, ephemera, and scrapbooks largely documenting Robert
E. Hansen's career as member and officer in the Minnesota and national Veterans
of Foreign Wars and, secondarily, as executive director (1974-1988) of the
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). There is also some
information on his father, Chris B. Hansen, a St. Paul building
contractor.
16.0 cu. ft. (14
boxes).
See [Detailed Description](a9) for shelf
locations.
BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT E. HANSEN
Robert E. Hansen, an insurance executive, was active in many South St.
Paul and Dakota County organizations and governmental groups. His main interest
was the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which he joined in 1945, and in which he held
many positions on the local, state, and national levels, being elected national
commander in 1961. He also served as executive director of the Legislative
Commission on Minnesota Resources, 1974-1988.
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE PAPERS
A few minutes, membership records, and administrative files
(1949-1968) relate to the Minnesota VFW, as well as to Gallagher-Hansen Post
No. 295 (South St. Paul). The rest of the VFW material documents Hansen's
activities in the national organization (1947-1969), and includes information
on his trips to Europe and Asia (1960-1963), VFW youth activities, veterans'
legislation, loyalty programs (with emphasis on Americanism and
anti-communism), and the VFW National Home (Eaton Rapids, Mich.).
A smaller group of files document his campaign for state auditor on
the Democratic-Farmer-Labor ticket (1966), his involvement in South St. Paul
and Dakota County civic and governmental affairs (1961-1970), and his career as
LCMR executive director. LCMR records include miscellaneous correspondence and
administrative papers, but consist largely of subject files on a number of
issues and legislators significant to the commission's business. Chris Hansen's
papers consist primarily of 73 time and wage books (1914-1948), which seem to
relate to his St. Paul area construction business, and personal desk diaries
(1947-1957) and an account book (1939-1979).
ARRANGEMENT OF THE PAPERS
These documents are organized into the following sections:
- Personal Papers
- Minnesota VFW Files
- National VFW Files
- Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources Files
RELATED MATERIALS
An oral history interview with Robert Hansen is located in the
Minnesota Historical Society's sound and visual collections.
OTHER FINDING AIDS
A print version of this finding aid is available in the repository;
filed in ALPHA notebooks under the heading: Hansen, Robert E.
CATALOG HEADINGS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
Topics:
Caves.
Communists -- United States.
Congresses and conventions --
China.
Congresses and conventions -- Sweden --
Stockholm.
Conservation of natural resources --
Minnesota.
Construction industry -- Minnesota --
Dakota County.
Contractors -- Minnesota -- Dakota
County.
Elections -- Minnesota.
Environmental policy --
Minnesota.
Loyalty.
Loyalty-security program, 1947- -- United
States.
Natural resources -- Minnesota.
Patriotism -- United States.
Politics, Practical --
Minnesota.
State governments -- Minnesota --
Officials and employees.
Veterans -- United States.
Veterans -- United States -- Law and
legislation.
Independent insurance agents -- Minnesota
-- South Saint Paul.
Persons:
Hansen, Chris B.,
1893-.
Humphrey, Hubert H.
(Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978.
Organizations:
Asian Peoples'
Anti-Communist League.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Party.
Minnesota. Legislature.
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.
People-to-People
(Organization). Citizen Ambassador Program.
UNESCO.
Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States.
Veterans of Foreign
Wars of the United States. Dept. of Minnesota.
Places:
Dakota County (Minn.).
South Saint Paul (Minn.).
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series
here]. Robert E. Hansen and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical
Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples
Accession Information:
Accession number: 14,474; 14,917
Processing Information:
Processed by: Kathryn A. Johnson, July 1993
Catalog ID number: 09-00037500
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Personal Papers
152.K.17.4F
1
Biographical information.
Miscellaneous papers,
1960-1965.
State Auditor Campaign:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
undated and June-December 1966.
3 folders.
142.C.18.2
12
Campaign posters,
1966.
2 oversize items, in box.
152.K.17.5B
2
Schedules,
August-November 1966.
Correspondence,
1956-1966.
3 folders.
Scrapbook materials,
1960-1971.
6 folders.
Dakota County Board of Commissioners,
1968-1969.
Dakota County Park grant,
1966-1968.
2 folders.
South St. Paul Chamber of Commerce,
1963-1966.
South St. Paul Economic Development Authority Director,
1970.
South St. Paul Water Pollution Control grant,
1967-1970.
Hansen Insurance Agency,
1959-1965.
Pine Bend Association, Inc.,
1961-1968.
Paul A. Stuhler conversion process (agricultural),
1967.
152.K.17.4F
1
Chris B. Hansen Papers:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers (including
biographical information),
1918-1964.
Journal sheets,
1939-1964.
Miscellaneous financial papers,
1937-1979.
Vols. 1-49.
Time books,
1914-1964.
6 folders, including 49 volumes.
Vols. 50-61.
Wage-Hour-Social Security time books,
1943-1948.
2 folders, including 12 volumes.
Vol. 62.
Personal account book,
1939-1979.
1 volume.
Vols. 63-67.
Desk diaries,
1947-1957.
3 folders, including 5 volumes.
Minnesota VFW Files
152.K.17.5B
2
Outline of Hansen's VFW activities.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1949-1958.
10 folders.
152.K.17.6F
3
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1959-1968.
10 folders.
Administrative Records:
Bylaws and other corporate records,
1949-1956.
Rosters of officers,
1951-1968.
2 folders.
152.K.17.7B
4
Department Council of Administration minutes,
1951-1961.
General orders,
1951-1965.
Annual encampments: Miscellany,
1951-1958.
Annual encampments,
1956-1962.
6 folders.
Other Records:
Athletic programs,
1946-1948.
2 folders.
Cancer Committee,
1953-1959.
4 folders.
Gallagher-Hansen Post 295: Miscellaneous activities,
1939-1958.
2 folders.
Miscellaneous papers,
1951-1961.
National VFW Files
152.K.17.7B
4
Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers (filed by
state):
Alaska - Massachusetts,
1960-1966.
7 folders.
152.K.17.8F
5
Minnesota - Wisconsin,
1958-1966.
2 folders.
Other state files: Alabama - Wyoming,
1959-1966.
3 folders.
Trip Files:
Cuba: Guantanamo Bay Naval Base,
1961.
Denmark,
1960-1961.
Europe,
1960-1961.
2 folders.
Far East,
1961-1963.
2 folders.
Manila,
1960-1961.
NATO Headquarters,
1961.
VFW overseas posts,
1960-1967.
Correspondence (filed by correspondent):
Cheatham - Handy,
1959-1967.
7 folders.
152.K.17.9B
6
Hittle - Teague,
1959-1966.
12 folders.
Subject Files:
Air Force,
1961-1962.
American Sovereignty Committee (including UNESCO
Materials),
1954-1956.
5 folders.
America's future,
1960.
Asian Peoples' Anti-Communist League,
1961-1963.
4 folders.
Atlantic Institute,
1961-1962.
Big Ten Conference,
1956-1967.
2 folders.
Buddy Poppy promotion (including some Minnesota
materials),
1955-1962.
Budget Committee,
1958-1963.
Committee appointments,
1961.
Community service,
1949-1954.
2 folders.
152.K.17.10F
7
Community service,
1954-1961.
2 folders.
Conference of National Officers and Department
Commanders, Washington, D.C.,
1961-1962.
Crusade for Freedom, including Radio Free Europe,
1959-1960.
2 folders.
Joint Civilian Orientation Conference,
1960-1962.
2 folders.
Loyalty Day,
1955-1962.
7 folders.
Membership records,
1955-1962.
2 folders.
Monthly reports to Hansen (as national commander),
1961-1962.
2 folders.
National Council of Administration,
1956-1966.
3 folders.
National Legislative Committee (including
newsletter),
1954-1961.
3 folders.
152.K.17.11B
8
National Legislative Committee,
1962-1965.
2 folders.
National officers, office, and headquarters,
1958-1961.
National rehabilitation services,
1964-1965.
National Security Committee,
1952-1969.
2 folders.
National Strategy Seminar,
1962.
National VFW Home:
History.
2 folders.
Staff manual.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1950-1966.
7 folders.
National VFW magazine,
1953-1962.
National VFW news releases,
1960-1962.
National Welfare and Service Committee,
1960-1962.
National youth activities,
1960-1962.
Naval affairs,
1960-1966.
2 folders.
People-to-People program,
1961-1962.
Post Directors' weekly reports,
1959-1961.
Roadside Schoolhouse, Inc., Dallas, Texas,
1960.
USS Ward: Gun
presentation,
December 1956.
Voice of Democracy speech contests,
1954-1962.
2 folders.
144.C.7.5B
9
Miscellaneous papers,
1949-1955.
Miscellaneous photographs,
undated and 1953-1967.
3 folders, including 56 images.
Includes studio portraits of Hansen, photos of him taken at
various VFW events, and the 1966 State Auditor campaign. The latter includes
photos of Hubert H. Humphrey and an autographed portrait of Governor Karl F.
Rolvaag.
Photographs of Hansen during his tenure as national
commander, VFW,
1961-1962.
Presented by the New Jersey VFW.
Certificates, awards, and related items,
1955-1984.
1 folder, containing 34 items.
Scrapbooks:
Volumes 74-77,
1947-1956.
4 volumes.
148.C.6.3B
11
Volumes 78-81,
1956-1962.
4 volumes.
142.C.18.1
12
Volume 82,
[ca. 1961]-1962.
1 volume.
142.C.18.2
13
Volume 83,
[ca. 1959]-1962.
1 volume.
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources
Files
143.B.12.3B
13
Correspondence and miscellaneous records,
1969-1987.
2 folders.
Minutes and related materials,
1974-1977.
20th anniversary,
1983.
25th anniversary,
1985.
Employee information (including performance reviews),
1984-1986.
Enabling statutes and amendments, SF664,
1977-1978.
Forest Committee minutes and related records,
1977-1979.
4 folders.
Funding reductions,
1982.
Issues (including seminars),
1978-1986.
3 folders.
Legislative requests,
1977.
Procedures review,
1965-1978.
Program review notes,
1982.
Water Committee,
1978-1980.
See Also: Water Resources, box 14.
Subject Files:
Anderson, Senator Jerald,
1974-1978.
Blue Earth, City of: River park access,
1981.
Carlson, Representative Douglas,
1979-1985.
Edman, F. Robert,
1974-1975.
See Also: Voyagers National Park, box 14.
Hu, S. K.: Economic mission to Taiwan,
1976.
Munger, Representative Willard,
1976 and 1987.
Natural Resource Research Institute, Duluth meeting,
September 12, 1985.
Newcombe, Representative Thomas,
1973.
North Cascades National Park fact finding tour,
1974.
Norton, Representative Fred C.,
1976-1987.
Peat Task Force,
1979-1981.
143.B.12.4F
14
People to People Citizen Ambassador Biomass
Utilization Tour, People's Republic of China,
1985-1986.
3 folders and 1 volume.
Purfeerst, Senator Clarence,
1983-1987.
Quie, Governor Albert H.,
1978-1982.
Rock Store symposium on storage in excavated rock
caverns, Stockholm, Sweden,
1977, 1980.
2 folders.
Rolvaag, Karl F.,
1962-1987.
Solid waste management,
1979-1980.
Stokemaster Control System,
1986-1988.
Wood burning appliances.
University of Minnesota,
1984-1986.
Voyageurs National Park,
1974-1975.
See Also: Edman, Robert F., box 13.
Washington, D.C. trips,
1974-1986.
Water resources,
1976-1977.
2 folders.
See Also: Water Committee, box 13.
Willet, Senator Gerald,
1977-1984.
Miscellaneous correspondence,
1973-1987.