00045 ROBERT E. HANSEN: An Inventory of His Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by Kathryn A. Johnson

MHS finding aid format: Feith

Finding aid encoded by Dennis Meissner January 9, 2004 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 section 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).

ORGANIZATION 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.

INDEX TERMS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics 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

Note to Researchers: To request materials, please note both the location and box numbers shown below.

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.