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Roy Drier Collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-020

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a substantial amount of historical materials collected by Roy Drier. The Shelden Family Papers and the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Company Records are the two largest sets of records. Other records include Keweenaw County Clerk's Office Records and journals of various Copper Country lighthouses.

Dates

  • 1769 - 1954

Language of Material

English

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Roy Ward Drier (1897-1974) was a lifelong resident of Calumet, Michigan. A graduate of the Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Technological University), he returned to the school as an instructor in 1930 and received the college's first Ph. D. in 1934. An expert in the x-ray field, Dr. Drier established the x-ray program in the metallurgical engineering curriculum at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology. He served for 42 years at Michigan Technological University. In addition to his metallurgical work, he was noted for his archaeological research on prehistoric mining in the Copper Country and Isle Royale.

On behalf of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Drier began collecting historical material for what was formally known as the Keweenawan Collection in the summer of 1933. This was part of Drier’s vision for "An Industrial Historical Museum" that he proposed to establish at MCMT. For the following several decades, Drier would amass a significant collection of historical records relating to the Copper Country.

Extent

24 Cubic Feet (63 manuscript boxes, 8 flat boxes)

Abstract

Roy Ward Drier (1897-1974) was a lifelong resident of Calumet, Michigan. A graduate of the Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Technological University), Drier began collecting historical material for what was formally known as the Keweenawan Collection in the summer of 1933. For the following several decades, Drier would amass a significant collection of historical records relating to the Copper Country. The collection contains a substantial amount of historical materials collected by Roy Drier. The Shelden Family Papers and the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Company Records are the two largest sets of records. Other records include Keweenaw County Clerk's Office Records and journals of various Copper Country lighthouses.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into eight series:

Series I: Atlantic Mining Company Records Series II: Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Company Records Series III: General Files Series IV: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hecla Lodge, No. 90 (Calumet) Records Series V: Keweenaw County Clerk's Office Records Series VI: Lighthouse Journals Series VII: Other Records Series VIII: Shelden Family Papers

Other Finding Aids

An item level inventory of this collection is available on request. Please note that it is difficult to use and requires reference to this finding aid.

Acquisition

The collection was donated by Roy Drier in a series of accessions from 1961 to 1970.

Related Materials

MS-002, Calumet and Hecla Mining Companies Collection MS-043, Keweenaw Historical Society Collection MS-080, Copper Range Company Records MS-527, Roy Drier Papers

Separated Materials

At the time of accessioning, photographic negatives were separated to MTU-198, Michigan Technological University Archives' Numbered Negative Collection and photographic prints were added to the Archives' vertical files. Various maps were also separated to MS-870, Michigan Technological University Archives' Map Collection.

Title
Roy Drier Collection
Author
Daniel Michelson
Date
2014
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
Funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US