SCOPE: The Jim Swift Collection consists of significant amounts of waterways related materials, including personal research, periodicals, correspondence, ephemera, and more. The collection represents the professional and personal work of the noted waterways researcher James (Jim) V. Swift.
Research materials include biographies of past and present river people, river organizations,river museums, river sites, and river excursions. Mr. Swift compiled an index of The Waterways Journal on note cards.
EXTENT: This collection comprises 120 linear feet of papers, note cards, books, and clippings. Periodicals have been incorporated into the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library holdings.
HISTORY: For many years Jim Swift shared his interest in the waterways past and present through his "Old Boat Column" of The Waterways Journal. Swift was a longtime columnist for the Journal, as well as a business and advertising manager, serving for a time as the Vice President. His personal energy was spent on river research as well. He also supported The Golden Eagle River Museum, and various other river organizations. His memory is commemorated through the James V. Swift Medal, presented by the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library every other year to individuals who significantly contribute to the field of inland waterways research and art.
ACCESS: This is collection P-004. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
This collection is in an on-going state of processing. Direct questions about collection contents and access to a curator.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the collections of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library at the University of Missouri - St. Louis.”
INVENTORY
- Boxes 1-36: Research Correspondence
- Boxes 37-55: Travel
- Boxes 56-58: Scrapbooks
- Boxes 59-64: Photos and images
- Boxes 65-69: Newspaper clippings
- Boxes 70-79: Memorabilia and souvenirs
- Boxes 80-85: Audio/video tapes and films
- Box 86: Banners and flags
- Boxes 87-88: Oversize materials
- Thirty unprocessed boxes of vessel information and general correspondence
