Guide to the Estelle Reel Meyer Collection

Collection

Identifier: H60-110

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

This collection focuses on Estelle Reel Meyer's life as an educator, particularly as superintendent of Indian schools. Included are reports, articles, and biographical sketches about her position and her efforts in behalf of Indian schools. Much of the correspondence deals with her political relationships, both state and federal, and also with her attempt to be re-appointed in the face of strong public and congressional opposition.

Dates

1886-1947

Creator

Meyer, Estelle Reel, 1862-1959 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Restrictions on Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical Notes

Estelle Reel was born in Pittsfield, Illinois in 1862 and educated in schools in the Midwest and East. In 1886, she came to Wyoming and taught in the Cheyenne public schools. She was elected Laramie County superintendent of schools in 1891 and in 1894 was elected state superintendent of public schools, the first woman in Wyoming, and the second in the nation, to be elected to a statewide public office. In 1898, she was appointed by President William McKinley as national superintendent of Indian schools, a position she held until 1910. In 1910 she married Cort F. Meyer, and shortly afterward, moved to Topanish, Washington, where she lived until her death in 1959.

Extent

3 cubic feet (3 cubic foot boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection chiefly has material focusing on Estelle Reel Meyer's life as an educator and particularly as U.S. superintendent of Indian schools. Records include reports, articles, and information about her position and her efforts on behalf of Indian schools; together with correspondence dealing with her political relationships, both state and federal, and also with her attempt to be reappointed in the face of strong public and congressional opposition.

Arrangement

The collection is organized in three series: General Records, Scrapbooks, and Publications

Acquisition Information

H60-110 was received in 1960 from the Estate of Estelle Reel Meyer, deceased.

Alternate Formats Available

Digital copies of selected records may be available. See container list.

Related Material

H54-91, Estelle Reel Campaign Material Collection, Wyoming State Archives.

RG0005, Wyoming Department of Education, Wyoming State Archives.

RG1125, Laramie County Superintendent of Schools, Wyoming State Archives.

P73-74, Estelle Reel Photograph Collection, Wyoming State Archives.

P73-86, Estelle Reel Photograph Collection, Wyoming State Archives.

MS120, Estelle Reel papers, Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane, Washington.

Separated Material

Photographs transferred to P73-74, Estelle Reel Meyer Photograph Collection.

Processing Information

Processed in 1998 by Carl Hallberg. Finding aid encoded by ByteManagers Inc for RMOA in 2006. Updated by Suzi Taylor in 2019.

May also include material from H60-124.