Special Collections and University Archives

John Phillips Saylor Collection

Manuscript Group #18

For Scholarly Use Only

Last Modified November 9, 2009

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

302 Stapleton Library

Indiana, PA 15705-1096

Voice: (724) 357-3039

Fax: (724) 357-4891

John Phillips Saylor Collection, Manuscript Group #18

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Special Collections and University Archives

51 boxes; 75 linear feet

Biographical Note

John Phillips Saylor was born on July 23, 1908, on a farm in Conemaugh Township, Cambria County, five miles outside of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Minerva Phillips Saylor, a teacher, and Tillman K. Saylor, teacher and attorney. Tillman Saylor attended the State Normal School in Indiana, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Dickinson Law School in 1933, John Phillips Saylor returned to Johnstown to work with his father’s firm. After Tillman Saylor’s death in 1938, John was elected to the position of City Solicitor to replace his father. On September 13, 1949, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected for each consecutive term until his own death in 1973.

Congressman Saylor used his position in Congress to become one of the leading conservationists of his day. He was involved in most of the major environmental issues of his time. During his time in office, he became best known for his support of legislation that would preserve scenic natural areas of the country. According to John P. Saylor’s son, J. Phillips Saylor, the Congressman clearly stated that he wanted his papers to be given to the University so that the students could study the beginning of the conservation movement.

Starting in 1957, Saylor begain voicing his strong opposition to the construction of the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny River near Warren. Styled a "nature-loving obstructionist" by one of his congressional colleagues, he opposed the dam because its high cost ($120 million) and size, its debatable effectiveness on flood control and the Army Corps of Engineers' stubborn refusal to study alternative plans.Saylor also voiced opposition to the dam as it would destroy of one of the most scenic stretches of river in Pennsylvania, and it would break the 1794 treaty with the Senecas, the oldest federal treaty that was still in effect at that time.

Despite the opposition of Saylor and others, however, the Treaty of 1794 was broken, and construction of the Kinzua Dam began in 1960.The Kinzua Dam caused the complete inundation of almost 10,000 acres of Seneca lands, and rendered another 20,000 acres of their land virtually useless because of periodic flooding caused by fluctuating water levels in the reservoir. Almost 700 members of the Seneca Nation were forced to relocate. The federal government eventually compensated the Senecas $15 million for the land and the relocation costs. Additionally, after several versions of a Scenic Rivers Bill failed to gain enough votes in Congress, Saylor introduced his own comprehensive Scenic Rivers Bill into the House in 1966. Drafted with the assistance of the Interior Department's Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, the Audubon Society, and other conservation groups, the bill called for widespread protection of the nation's free-flowing rivers.

Saylor's bill met much opposition in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, of which he was a member. He vowed to "hit, kick, and scratch" in order to get his bill passed. When a fellow representative introduced a competing, less-inclusive bill, Saylor saw this as an opportunity to forge a compromise bill. This compromise passed in the Senate 84-0, but still met resistance by development-minded members of the House. Upon further pressure by Saylor, conservationists, and the public, the House finally approved the bill 265-7.

Saylor was the recipient of many awards for his involvement in conservation efforts. From the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Act in 1964, the first federally protected rivers, to the Wilderness Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Saylor's accomplishments have been praised as essential to the preservation of our country's natural scenic resources.

Scope and Content

The John P. Saylor collection is housed in 51 archival boxes. The collection includes photographs, plaques, scrapbooks, reports, correspondence, speeches, and memorabilia from Saylor’s career in politics and his work with environmental issues. The papers, documents, and other items that compose this collection come from Saylor’s work as a U.S. Congressman. There is much information in the collection on conservation issues such as mining, water projects, wildlife, and National Parks. The collection also contains an abundance of memorabilia, including plaques and certificates awarded to Saylor for his conservation efforts.

Provenance

Unknown.

Restrictions

None.

Processor

Date unknown; records arranged and inventory written by Special Collections Staff. Spring 2001; records rearranged and inventory rewritten by Special Collections Staff.

Summer 2009; records rearranged and inventory rewritten by Special Collections Staff.

Container List

Box 1 Photographs (16 folders)

  1. Presidential – Richard M. Nixon
  2. Presidential – L.B. Johnson
  3. Presidential – L.B. Johnson and J.P. Saylor
  4. Presidential – J.F. Kennedy and group including Saylor
  5. Presidential – T.R. Roosevelt and Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot
  6. Committees – Committee with J.P. Saylor
  7. Committees – Committee with J.P. Saylor
  8. Committees – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, 86th Congress
  9. Committees – House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 89thCongress
  10. Committees – House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 89th Congress
  11. Committees – House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 90th Congress
  12. Committees – Public Land Law Review Commission, Sept. 1969
  13. Committees – House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 91st Congress
  14. Committees – House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 92nd Congress
  15. Committees - House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 93rd Congress
  16. J.P. Saylor and three Congressmen

Box 2 Photographs, Posters, and Drawings (22 folders)

Photographs

  1. J.P. Saylor
  2. Saylor at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland
  3. Workers drinking coffee
  4. First atomic artillery shell, May 25, 1953
  5. USS Seawolf (with John P. Saylor honorary membership card)
  6. Naval Ship
  7. Earth, June 19, 1972
  8. Aerial view of Johnstown, Pennsylvania
  9. John P. Saylor High School’s 45th reunion, June 14, 1969

Drawings

  1. Ernest P. Daly
  2. The White House
  3. The Supreme Court
  4. The Capitol
  5. Marines at Iwo Jima, February 1945
  6. Political cartoons (3)
  7. Old Glory
  8. Operation Sea Orbit (Gerald Richardson)

Posters

  1. Pledge of Allegiance – Red Skelton Hour
  2. The Eagle Has Landed
  3. Enlarged 8¢ stamp of Old Faithful, March 1, 1972
  4. Enlarged 6¢ stamp of Wolf Trap Farm, Virginia
  5. Hetch Hetchy

Box 3Awards and Certificates (48 items)

  1. Mercersburg Club of Washington – for service to district and County
  2. James Duff, Governor of PA – for election to 26th congressional district of Pennsylvania, 27 November 1950
  3. American Airlines, Inc. – for support of the airline industry, 26 June 1951
  4. Pan American World Airways, 8 November 1957
  5. Pan American Airways – for flying over the international date line, 9 November 1957
  6. City Parks Association of Philadelphia – for service to parks and conservation
  7. Friends – for 10 years in 22nd congressional district, 7 July 1960
  8. Bert Combs, Governor of Kentucky, 11 April 1962
  9. VFW – for service on veterans’ affairs,
  10. VFW American Legion - for service with veterans’ affairs, 24 September 1964
  11. Pennsylvania Game Commission – for appointing Deputy Game Protector, 31 March 1965
  12. CUNA International, Inc. – for service to the credit union movement
  13. VFW – for legislative assistance to war veterans, 21 May 1966
  14. VFW – for service to veterans, 1 September 1966
  15. Trout Unlimited – for Trout conservation 30 September 1967
  16. Pennsylvania Fish and Game Protective Association – for conservation work, 13 April 1967
  17. VFW – for service to veterans
  18. National Trust for Historic Preservation, October 1967
  19. VFW – for service to veterans
  20. Notice of sympathy for the death of Tillman K. Saylor, Jr., 3 October 1968
  21. Florida Wildlife Magazine – for catching bass, 23 November 1968
  22. Pennsylvania Roadside Council – for conservation efforts, October 1969
  23. National Police Officers Association of America – for appointment as honorary Vice President
  24. Izaak Walton League of America – founder’s award, July 1970
  25. Sierra Club – John Muir Award, 25 September 1971
  26. National Council for State Garden Clubs – for accomplishments in Ecology
  27. American Legion – for meritorious service, June 1972
  28. Mount Vernon Ladies Association – for preserving view from Mt. Vernon, 26 October 1972
  29. National Rifle Association – life membership, 7 June 1973
  30. Izaak Walton League of America – for lifetime membership
  31. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – for help in economic growth
  32. Exchange Club of Johnstown, Pennsylvania – for contribution, 31 December 1965
  33. Johnstown Lions Club
  34. Boy Scouts of America for contribution to American Flag, 20 December 1971
  35. Dewey F. Bartlett, U.S. Senator – for bearing OKIE title, 13 April 1973
  36. Johnstown Lion’s Club – for courtesies, 8 December 1972
  37. Selective Service System – for service, 30 June 1959
  38. American Bar Association, June 1956
  39. Pennsylvania Society – for being a member, 12 May 1954
  40. Guardian of Berlin’s Freedom Certificate, 30 October 1961
  41. Universal Club of Washington, D.C., 18 January 1950
  42. National Rifle Association of America, 2 April 1971
  43. Barnum and Bailey Circus, 5 April 1973
  44. Selective Service System, 30 June 1954
  45. J.P. Saylor Award, blank, November 1970
  46. Sierra Club, 2 October 1969
  47. Knights of Pythias of Pennsylvania, 14 March 1958
  48. Johnstown Kiwanis Club, 22 May 1968

Box 4 Framed Photographs and Mementoes (15 folders)

  1. Atlantic Ocean Floor
  2. U.S.S. Seawolf
  3. Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs
  4. Earth from Apollo 17
  5. HR Public Law #88-525
  6. HR Public Law #88-546
  7. HR Public Law #86-3
  8. HR Public Law #86-538
  9. HR Public Law #89-40
  10. Moon rock sample
  11. “54” Founders Award
  12. National Rifle Association
  13. The Capitol
  14. First Step on the Moon
  15. Atomic Bomb Test

Box 5Framed Photographs and Mementoes (10 folders)

  1. HR Bill #88-577
  2. HR Bill #89-5
  3. HR Bill #86-599
  4. HR Bill #89-80
  5. HR Bill #93-25
  6. HR Bill #89-118
  7. Task Force – Operation “Deep Freeze” Citation
  8. Appreciation from Committee on Veteran Affairs
  9. Eight unlabeled personal photographs
  10. Cardboard backed photographs

Box 6 Framed Photographs and Mementoes (19 folders)

  1. HR Bill #89
  2. HR Bill #698 6
  3. HR Bill 86-491
  4. Photos with President Johnson (2)
  5. Photo of Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs
  6. Mercersburg Club of Washington Award
  7. Photo of PT Boat
  8. CUNA of Johnstown Appreciation Award
  9. Commission from Pennsylvania Game Commission
  10. City Parks Association of Philadelphia Citation, 1960
  11. National Rifle Association Life Membership, 1973
  12. Sierra Club, 1969
  13. Veterans of Foreign Wars
  14. Izaak Walton League of America
  15. John Muir Award
  16. National Trust for Historic Preservation
  17. Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Association
  18. Governor’s Office
  19. Unlabeled photographs (4)

Box 7 Framed Photographs and Mementoes (6 folders)

  1. HR Bill 5850
  2. Public Law 88-546 (with letter from Lyndon B. Johnson)
  3. Photo of Lyndon B. Johnson, Ed Muskie, J.P. Saylor, and Robert Kennedy
  4. Public Law 89-40 (with letter from Lawrence F. O’Brien)
  5. Plaque from Disabled American Veterans
  6. Silver Beaver Award from Boy Scouts of America

Box 8Framed Photographs and Mementoes (4 folders)

  1. Public Law 89-60 (with letter and picture from Lyndon B. Johnson)
  2. HR Bill #93-25 (with pen and picture)
  3. HR Bill #89-5 (with pen, picture, and letter)
  4. Public Law 88-452 (with pen, pictures, and letter)

Box 9CDs with unidentified photographs and Undated, unidentified photographs (4 folders)

Box 10Undated, Identified Photographs (52 folders)

  1. John P. Saylor and Academy Boys
  2. John P. Saylor and Almas
  3. John P. Saylor and American Nuclear Society
  4. Astronauts
  5. John P. Saylor and Frances Bolton
  6. John P. Saylor and Brockway Glass Officials
  7. John P. Saylor and Broderick
  8. John P. Saylor at Broger Primitive Area
  9. John P. Saylor and Brooke
  10. John P. Saylor and Byron
  11. John P. Saylor and Congress Members
  12. John P. Saylor and Disabled American Veterans of Pennsylvania
  13. John P. Saylor and Arthur Godfrey
  14. John P. Saylor on Gooderham Farm
  15. John P. Saylor and Dr. Gourdine
  16. John P. Saylor and Groundhog
  17. John P. Saylor in Hawaii
  18. John P. Saylor home, 411 Orchard Street, Johnstown, Pensylvania
  19. John P. Saylor and Indiana Republican Committee
  20. John P. Saylor and IIA Members
  21. Iwo Jima
  22. Job Corps
  23. John P. Saylor and Mrs. Chiang Kai Shek
  24. John P. Saylor and Miss Kansas
  25. Kittanning, Pennsylvania – mining lab
  26. John P. Saylor and Charles Leppert
  27. John P. Saylor and LCB
  28. John P. Saylor with Mrs. Lucci and her son
  29. Marines at Atomic Proving Grounds
  30. Military related photographs
  31. Miscellaneous acquaintances
  32. John P. Saylor and Mushroom Processors’ Association
  33. John P. Saylor at Jackson Flats, Nebraska, with NASA
  34. John P. Saylor and NCA
  35. John P. Saylor with National Trust for Historic Preservation
  36. John P. Saylor in office
  37. John P. Saylor at PEA Convention
  38. John P. Saylor with PEA Representatives
  39. John P. Saylor with Penelec
  40. John P. Saylor portraits
  41. John P. Saylor and Rand Corporation
  42. Mrs. Saylor at Redwood Groves, Californi
  43. John P. Saylor and Seneca Indians
  44. John P. Saylor and Raymond Shafer
  45. John P. Saylor at Smithsonian
  46. John P. Saylor and Ray Soden
  47. John P. Saylor at Staff Party
  48. John P. Saylor with Steelworkers
  49. John P. Saylor on U.S.S. Seawolf
  50. John P. Saylor receiving VFW Award
  51. John P. Saylor and General Walt
  52. John P. Saylor and Mrs. Westerman

Box 11Identified Photographs, 1949-1964 (32 folders, 1 book)

  1. John P. Saylor and children, 1949 (Missing)
  2. John P. Saylor “meeting his people,” 1950
  3. Unidentified desert, 1950
  4. Marines, Sept. 15, 1950
  5. Joe Martin, 1950-1951
  6. John P. Saylor,1951
  7. Republican Baseball Team, May 25, 1951
  8. John P. Saylor, 1952-1953
  9. John P. Saylor, 1954
  10. Antarctica, Nov. 24, 1957
  11. John P. Saylor, 1957
  12. John P. Saylor receiving Izaak Walton League Award, 1958
  13. John P. Saylor, 1958
  14. John P. Saylor at Fort McHenry, July 3,1959
  15. John P. Saylor, 1959
  16. John P. Saylor, 1960
  17. John P. Saylor, Jan. 1960
  18. John P. Saylor, July 4, 1960
  19. John P. Saylor, 1961
  20. Pennsylvania Delegation, 1962
  21. John P. Saylor and U.S. Naval Air Facility, Nov. 23, 1962
  22. John P. Saylor, Nov.-Dec.1962
  23. Bowling Green, Virginia, June 28,1963
  24. U.S. Forest Service Officers, Dec. 11, 1963
  25. John P. Saylor, 1963
  26. Class of 1924 Reunion, 1964
  27. John P. Saylor, 1964
  28. John P. Saylor, July 27, 1964
  29. Fort Meade, June 8, 1964
  30. John P. Saylor and S. Ailes, May 27,1964
  31. Conservationist of the Year Award, 1964
  32. Lake Powell, Arizona, Nov. 8, 1964
  33. Freeports Grand Isle Mine, 1964

Box 12 Identified Photographs, 1965-1967 (34 folders)

  1. Watchdog of the Treasury Award, 1965
  2. Cover hill, May 30,1965
  3. Rand Division Corporation, Coal-Sewage Testing, May 13, 1965
  4. John P. Saylor with Forest Service Employees, May 13, 1965
  5. Independence Hall, June 28, 1965
  6. John P. Saylor in Vietnam, Nov. 16,1965
  7. John P. Saylor, 1965
  8. John P. Saylor, Aug. 26, 1965
  9. Camp Pickett, 1965
  10. Public Land Law Review Commission, May 9,1966
  11. General Walt, April1966
  12. John P. Saylor and Andy Borg, Mar. 8,1966
  13. Massamutten Military Academy, May1966
  14. Colorado, Sept. 19, 1966
  15. Cadet Wood, Aug. 30,1966
  16. John P. Saylor with Susan and Horace Albright, Aug. 25, 1966
  17. Salute, 1966
  18. John P. Saylor, 1966
  19. John P. Saylor and Srs. Mary Grace King and Mary Imelda

Corcoran, 1967

  1. John Blatnik – Winner of Award for War against Pollution, 1967
  2. John P. Saylor receiving Barach Award, 1967
  3. Guam Reception, 1967
  4. Republican Congressional Committee, Feb. 1967
  5. Cherry Blossom Dance, April 3, 1967
  6. West Point Graduation Ceremonies, June 7, 1967
  7. Cadet Wood, June 1967
  8. Pennsylvania Steering Committee, June 8, 1967
  9. Air Force Anniversary, July 24, 1967
  10. Coal Labs, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 4, 1967
  11. George Baily, Sept. 21, 1967
  12. PITT Dedication, Sept. 6, 1967
  13. Veterans Affairs Committee, Oct. 31, 1967
  14. Clarion State, Nov. 11, 1967
  15. John P. Saylor, 1967

Box 13Identified Photographs, 1968-1970 (40 folders)

  1. Ford Theater Opening, Jan. 30,1968
  2. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mar. 13, 1968
  3. Salute, May 1968
  4. Redwood National Park, 1968
  5. Wolf Trap Farm, Virginia, June 1968
  6. Receiving Baruch Award, July 17, 1968
  7. Florida, November 1968
  8. Academy boys,Dec. 27, 1968
  9. John P. Saylor, 1968
  10. Agnew, 1969
  11. Conemaugh Terrace Project, Blairsville, PA,January 1969
  12. Anne and Harry, 1969
  13. Warren Burger, Chief Justice, 1969
  14. George Ramney, 1969
  15. Miss Pennsylvania, 1969
  16. Goodling and Bielo, 1969
  17. Alpine Inn, April 10, 1969
  18. Mine Trip, July 1969
  19. Apollo Stamp Dedication, Sept. 10, 1969
  20. Moon Rock, Oct.1969
  21. Apollo 11 Astronaut, 1969
  22. Forest Products Lab Visit, Fall 1969
  23. Academy lunch, Dec. 27, 1969
  24. John P. Saylor, 1969
  25. Pennsylvania Congressional delegation, Feb. 26, 1970
  26. Wong, Jan. 1970
  27. Salute, May 1970
  28. John P. Saylor and Patrick J. Stapleton, Oct. 1970
  29. John P. Saylor receiving Izaak Walton Award, Oct. 20, 1970
  30. Governors’ Conference, Feb. 1970
  31. Academy Appointees, 1970
  32. Mount Vernon View, July 1970
  33. Guam, 1970
  34. Arends and Ford, Sept.1970
  35. John P. Saylor and McCormick and Blatnik, Sept. 1970
  36. Girl Scout Troop, Sept. 11, 1970
  37. Awards, 1970
  38. Indiana Fair, Sept. 4, 1970
  39. Receiving Award from Forest Service, July 30, 1970
  40. John P. Saylor, 1970

Box 14 Identified Photographs, 1971-1973 (33 folders)

  1. Wedding of Susan Saylor, 1971
  2. Academy lunch, Dec. 29, 1971
  3. John P. Saylor, 1971
  4. BI-Gas Ground Breaking, 1972
  5. John P. Saylor and Eugene “Snuffy” Smith, 1972
  6. John P. Saylor and Patrick Gleason, 1972
  7. John P. Saylor and J. Robert Derry, 1972
  8. John P. Saylor and Frank Moore, 1972
  9. Family pictures, 1972
  10. John P. Saylor, 1972
  11. Kinzua Dam, July 1972
  12. Bell of PA Lunch, Aug. 1, 1972
  13. Conover and Whalley Luncheon, Oct. 17, 1972
  14. St. Francis College, building dedication, Dec. 8, 1972
  15. Presentation of late Congressman’s papers, 1973
  16. Demonstration photos, 1973
  17. National Limestone Convention, Jan. 18, 1973
  18. Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, 1973
  19. Mt. Vernon Ladies Association Presentation, Feb. 22,1973
  20. John P. Saylor and American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary reps., Feb. 28, 1973
  21. Disabled American Veterans, 1973
  22. Brookville, Pennsylvania with Gerald Ford, 1973
  23. Department of the Interior, Mar. 13, 1973
  24. Pension Hearings, Mar. 23, 1973
  25. Barnum and Bailey Circus, April 5, 1973
  26. Cooke Campsite, May1973
  27. John P. Saylor and second graders at Leechburg, Pennsylvania, May 1973
  28. Amvets Helmet Award, Aug. 25, 1973
  29. Reception for Rogers Morton, July 10, 1973
  30. John P. Saylor, 1973 (MISSING)
  31. John P. Saylor 40th Anniversary (Law School) Dinner, 1973
  32. Public Works Dinner, August 28, 1973
  33. Pennsylvania Republic Members 89th Congress, 1973

Box 15Presidential Photographs (22 folders)

  1. Dwight D. Eisenhower, No Dates
  2. Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 28, 1957
  3. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sept. 26, 1967
  4. John P. Saylor and Dwight D. Eisenhower, No Dates
  5. John F. Kennedy, Aug. 7, 1961
  6. John F. Kennedy, Mar. 17, 1961
  7. John F. Kennedy, Jan. 31, 1962
  8. John F. Kennedy, Sept. 13, 1962
  9. John F. Kennedy, Mar. 5, 1963
  10. John F. Kennedy, May 28. 1963
  11. John P. Saylor and Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964-1968
  12. Lyndon B. Johnson, Aug. 20, 1964
  13. Lyndon B. Johnson, Sept. 3, 1964
  14. Lyndon B. Johnson, May 11, 1965
  15. Lyndon B. Johnson, Aug. 11, 1965
  16. Lyndon B. Johnson signing the S. Rivers Bill, 1968
  17. John P. Saylor and Richard M. Nixon
  18. Richard M. Nixon, Oct. 1968
  19. Richard M. Nixon, 1968
  20. Richard M. Nixon, No Dates
  21. John P. Saylor and Richard M. Nixon, 1970-1973
  22. John P. Saylor and Gerald R. Ford, Oct. 12, 1973

Box 16Presidential Autographs – Framed (5 items)

  1. Richard Nixon, 1969
  2. Herbert Hoover, 1962
  3. Lyndon B. Johnson (and Kennedy half-dollar), 1964
  4. Richard M. Nixon (and Eisenhower silver dollar), 1971
  5. Harry S. Truman, 1967

Box 17Plaques (12 items)

  1. from Goodwill
  2. from Punxsutawney Railroad Association
  3. from Northwest Orient Airlines
  4. from National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers
  5. from American Legion
  6. from Nant-y-Glo – Blacklick Valley
  7. from Punxsutawney Police Department
  8. from U.S.S. Dewey
  9. from Jefferson County Youth Organization, 1972
  10. from Jefferson County DuBois Area Hall of Fame Award, 1973
  11. from Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, 1973
  12. from Sons of the American Revolution, 1972

Box 18Plaques (8 items)