ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

BEA PETERSON PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #1154

DATES: ca. 1900-1986

SIZE: 2.75 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Bea Peterson Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Bea Peterson, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in September 1987 (Acc.#87-1563).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Beatrice "Bea" Marion Olson was born June 25, 1916 in Badger, Iowa. She was one of ten children of Olaus and Ida Olson. In 1920, the Olson family moved to a homestead near Belfield, North Dakota. Bea Olson earned a teaching certificate from Dickinson State College in 1935 and taught in the Stark County school system before marrying Gilman F. Peterson on June 25, 1937. Gilman Peterson was a native North Dakotan, born April 14, 1913 in Hettinger County. The couple had five daughters and owned Flag Staff Farms, near South Heart, North Dakota. On this 3300 acre farm, the Petersons planted grain and raised cattle.

Bea Peterson began a long career in journalism in 1949, writing for several western North Dakota newspapers and Lutheran Church periodicals. She was active in the North Dakota Press Women organization, serving as its president in 1964. She was twice awarded the Press Woman of Achievement award in 1974 and 1981.

Peterson was active in North Dakota politics and the Democratic/Non-Partisan League party. She served this party in several different capacities: chair of the Democratic National Committee Women's Caucus (1979-1980); Democratic National Committee Woman for North Dakota (1972-1984); delegate to the North Dakota Constitutional Convention (1972); and candidate for the North Dakota House of Representatives. She was voted the Democratic Women for all Decades honoree in 1980 and North Dakota Woman of the Year by the North Dakota Women's Coalition in 1975.

Bea Peterson was appointed to various state and national committees dealing with women's issues and agriculture. She was a supporter for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in North Dakota; a delegate to the World Conference of the United Nations, Decade for Women (1980); a board member of Rural American Women, Inc.; and member of the National Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee, 1977-1981. In addition to these appointments, she served on the North Dakota Medical Advisory Committee, the U.S. SALT II Advisory Committee, the North Dakota State Advisory Committee for Civil Rights and the North Dakota Criminal Justice Commission, to name a few.

Peterson's community service was also extensive. She was an active member of Daglum Lutheran Church for over forty years, member and director of the North Dakota State Mental Health Association, charter member and president of North Dakota CowBelles, regional alumni director for Dickinson State College, and contributor to several Stark county history books.

Bea Peterson moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1986 to be closer to family. She died on May 2, 2000.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Bea Peterson Papers consist of photocopied newspaper articles, photographs, a scrapbook and miscellaneous publications. The collection is divided into four series:

Series I: Biographical Materials

This series includes autobiographical information, newspaper clippings and award certificates which Bea Peterson received. The material in this series covers many members of the Peterson and Olson families, although the majority of the material relates to Bea Peterson.

Series II:Newspaper Columns

This series contains photocopies of Bea Peterson's regular newspaper columns: "Rural View" for the Bismarck Tribune, "West of the Wide Missouri," published in the Dickinson Press and Daglum News, and "Bea Line" for various Stark, Slope, Adams and Hettinger county newspapers. Also included are miscellaneous feature articles and columns from church periodicals from the 1950s through the 1980s. These articles describe life at Flag Staff Farms and the Peterson home, as well as local happenings, businesses and personalities.

Series III:Political and Community Activities

This series consists of newspaper articles, correspondence and publications related to Bea Peterson's political and community activities. Peterson maintained active involvement in a variety of issues and concerns, including: women's issues, the Equal Rights Amendment, agriculture, U.S. trade issues, human rights, health issues and medical education.

Series IV:Photographs

The photographs date from 1895-1986 and depict the Peterson-Olson families, as well as Stark County pioneers, schools, farms, businesses, houses and organizations. Photographs of North Dakota political figures, women's organizations and the Democratic-NPL Party are also included. The photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1

Series I: Biographical Information

Folder

     1. Biographical materials

     2. Peterson/Olson family

     3. Awards: 1960-1980s

Series II:Newspaper Columns and Feature Articles

     4. Newspaper columns: “Bea Line” and “West of the Wide Missouri,” 1960s
     5. Newspaper columns: “Rural View,” 1960s
     6. “From Bea to You” in Parish Visitor, Belfield, Daglum 
         and Medora Lutheran Churches, 1959-1967
     7. “From the Grass Roots” in Churchmen, American Lutheran Church, 1961-1966
     8. “Centennial Blips for Radio and Television:” Dickinson Centennial, 1983
     9. Newspaper articles written by Bea Peterson: 1950s
    10. Newspaper articles written by Bea Peterson: 1960s
    11. Newspaper articles written by Bea Peterson: 1970s
    12. Newspaper articles written by Bea Peterson: 1980s
    13. Peterson’s articles printed in 1965 and 1980 Congressional Record

Series III:Political and Community Activities

    14. Correspondence: 1970
    15. North Dakota Democratic Non-Partisan League Women: 1967-1984
    16. Democratic Non-Partisan League Candidate for the North Dakota House: 1972
    17. Delegate to the North Dakota Constitutional Convention: 1970-1972
    18. North Dakota Democratic Committee Women: 1974-1984
    19. Equal Rights Amendment: 1975-1980
    20. North Dakota Civil Rights Commission, State Advisory Committee: 1979-1985
    21. North Dakota Medical Center Advisory Council: 1963-1976
    22. North Dakota Mother of the Year Committee: 1961-1969
    23. Inaugural Invitation: 1977
    24. Rosalyn Carter’s Seminar on Employment: 1978
    25. Rural American Women: 1978-1979
    26. “Americans for Salt,” U.S. Salt II Advisory Committee: 1978-1979
    27. U.S. Department of Agriculture Commission on International Trade Negotiations, 
        Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee: 1979
    28. World Conference of the United Nations, Decade for Women: 1980
    29. Democratic National Committee Women’s Caucus: 1980
    30. North Dakota Press Women: 1958-1981
    31. Memberships and activities: 1960s
    32. Memberships and activities: 1970s
    33. Memberships and activities: 1980s
    34. Belfield News, Historical Edition: April 12, 1962
    35. Miscellaneous publications about North Dakota
    36. Miscellaneous correspondence and U.S. Government Publications
    37. Miscellaneous undated and unidentified photographs

Box 2

Folder

     1. Scrapbook: Political and community activities, 1961-1975 
     2. Oversize photograph, OGL#1154-191: North Dakota Constitutional Convention Delegates, 1972 
     3. Oversize photograph, OGL#1154-192: 1934 Belfield High School Senior Class

SEPARATIONS RECORD

Photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. 41 personal and family photographs originally accessioned were removed and sent to Bea Peterson per her request in February 1989.

  1. Bea Peterson, 1935
  2. Bea Peterson, 1935 - rural school teacher
  3. Bea Peterson, 1935 - teacher, Daglum School in Stark County
  4. Bea Peterson, 1935 - teacher and class, Fischer #15, Daglum, Stark County
  5. Bea Peterson, 1935 - Flag Staff Farms, Stark County
  6. Bea Peterson, 1953
  7. Bea Peterson, 1954
  8. Bea Peterson, 1950s
  9. Bea Peterson, 1964
  10. Bea Peterson, 1968
  11. Bea Peterson, 1968
  12. Bea Peterson, 1972
  13. Bea Peterson, 1974
  14. Bea Peterson, 1977
  15. Bea Peterson, 1978
  16. Bea Peterson’s home, 1985 - Dickinson
  17. Bea Peterson, 1986
  18. Bea Peterson, 1986
  19. Bea Peterson, 1986
  20. Bea Peterson, 1935 - Fischer #15, Daglum, Stark County
  21. Daglum 4-H, 1962
  22. Bea Peterson, Ida Olson (mother), Alvin Olson (brother) - 1968
  23. Bea Peterson, grandson Jeff - Flag Staff Farms, 1978
  24. Gilman Peterson, grandson Jeff - Flag Staff Farms, 1978
  25. Holt Combine of Halvor and Nancy Peterson, 1947
  26. Self propelled combine, 1952 - Flag Staff Farms
  27. Massey-Harris combine, Bea and Debbie Peterson, 1958 - Flag Staff Farms
  28. Swathing, Bea Peterson, 1970 - Flag Staff Farms
  29. Stacking bales, 1970s - Flag Staff Farms
  30. Bea Peterson’s home, 1980s - Dickinson
  31. Debbie Peterson, 1960s
  32. Peace gardens, 1962
  33. Bea and Vickie Peterson, 1958
  34. Peterson family, 1961 - Flag Staff Farms
  35. Rumley combine and John Deere tractor, Gilman and Halvor Peterson, 1930s
  36. Hauling hay to cattle, 1940s - Peterson farm in Stark County
  37. Steamer and 6 bottom plow, 1941 - Peterson Brothers farm, Stark County
  38. Putting hay in barn, 1947 - Peterson farm, Stark County
  39. Peterson farm harvest crew, 1941 - Stark County
  40. Gilman Peterson seeding, 1940s - Stark County
  41. Peterson family home
  42. Peterson family home
  43. Rainy Buttes, west of New England, near Flag Staff Farms
  44. Bea Peterson's home office, 1950-1980s
  45. Bea Peterson's kitchen office - Flag Staff Farms
  46. Jacob and Martha Wulff (Bea Peterson's grandparents from Norway)
  47. Knute and Beste Olson (Bea Peterson's grandparents), Olaus Olson (Bea's father) and Bea Peterson
  48. Halvor Peterson family, 1919 - homestead in Daglum, Stark County
  49. Emma and Halvor Peterson wedding portrait, 1912 - Dickinson
  50. Ida and Olaus Olson (Bea Peterson's parents), Bea Peterson, 1924 - Stark County
  51. Ida and Olaus Olson (Bea Peterson's parents) - Badger, Iowa
  52. Bea Peterson and Leone Ingmore, 1933 - Stark County
  53. Bea Peterson, 1941 - Flag Staff Farms, Stark County
  54. Hans Peterson farm, 1917 - Stark County
  55. Bea Peterson (on right), 1933 - Belfield
  56. Gilman, Bea, Nancy and Diane Peterson, 1943 - Stark County
  57. Daglum Pioneers, 1960 - Stark County
  58. Olaus Olson family, 1947 - Stark County
  59. Bea Peterson and Mark Andrews at the Rural Telephone Conference, 1970 - Washington, D.C.
  60. National League of American Pen Women (Bea Peterson at far right), 1969
  61. Bea Peterson and Grace Link, undated
  62. Bea Peterson, Official U.S. delegate to International Women's Year Conference, 1980 - Copenhagen, Denmark
  63. Nancy Johnson presents Bea Peterson with her second North Dakota Press Woman Achievement Award, 1981
  64. Bea Peterson, Liz Carpenter and Millie Jeffreys, 1978 - Washington, D.C.
  65. Bea Peterson, State Cowbelles President, 1958
  66. New England Centennial Book Committee (Bea Peterson at far left)
  67. Gilman, Bea and Debbie Peterson, with Mr. and Mrs. Mark Greenwood at Art Link's first Inaugural Ball
  68. Gilman and Bea Peterson, Rollie Redlin, undated
  69. Oldea Myring, Bea Peterson and Gladys Rorem (sisters), 1979
  70. Bea Peterson (far left), 1968 - Sister Ione Hilager Center
  71. Byron Dorgan and Bea Peterson, 1984
  72. Gilman and Bea Peterson at the White House, 1976
  73. ND Cowbelles officers, 1957-58
  74. Art and Grace Link, Bea Peterson, 1983
  75. Bea Peterson and Lois Vogel at the North Dakota Constitutional Convention, 1972
  76. Bea Peterson (at microphone) at Ethnic Festival in Dickinson
  77. Silver Haired Legislature, 1984 - Bismarck
  78. Jean Guy, Bea Peterson and Governor’s Wives, 1973 - Governor’s Mansion, Bismarck
  79. Democratic Women’s Caucus, Bea Peterson chair, 1979
  80. Bea Peterson and Senator Quentin Burdick, North Dakota Rural Telephone Cooperative Meeting, 1969
  81. Bea Peterson at 1972 North Dakota Constitutional Convention
  82. Muriel Humphrey, speaker at Rural American Women Conference
  83. Bea Peterson at unidentified, undated meeting
  84. Bea Peterson, undated
  85. Cowbelles luncheon, ca. 1956
  86. Mabel Guy (Governor William Guy’s mother) and Bea Peterson at Mother of the Year reception, 1960s
  87. Muriel Humphrey, Rural American Women Convention, 1978
  88. Muriel Humphrey and Bea Peterson, Rural American Women Convention, 1978
  89. Muriel Humphrey and Bea Peterson, Rural American Women Convention, 1978
  90. Eleanor McGovern, Bea Peterson, Art and Grace Link, Corliss Mushik, 1975
  91. Bea Peterson presenting Bill Stebens’ Special Recognition, undated
  92. Bea Peterson, 1979
  93. Gilman and Bea Peterson, 1966
  94. American Lutheran Church Women, Badlands Conference, 1965
  95. North Dakota Mother of the Year Reception, 1972
  96. Bea Peterson, undated
  97. Dick and Diane Ista, Mr. and Mrs. George Gaulker, and Bea Peterson at the Democratic Convention, 1976
  98. Bea Peterson (far right), Democratic National Convention, 1976
  99. Unidentified, ca. 1918
  100. Cowpunchers, Western North Dakota
  101. Peg Gorgen, undated - Amidon, North Dakota
  102. Rural Ladies Aid, 1908 - Shalesmode, North Dakota
  103. Rural Ladies Aid, ca. 1918 - Gaylord, North Dakota
  104. South Heart, North Dakota, ca. 1908
  105. Undated
  106. Belfield, North Dakota, ca. 1910
  107. Norway, ca. 1895
  108. Funeral hearse, Dr. Gumper and Kenneth Olson (on right) - Belfield, North Dakota
  109. Joe Wandler’s rock house (built ca. 1907) and Model T Ford - Stark County
  110. Horse and wagon, ca. 1906
  111. Southwest North Dakota Stone House, ca. 1906
  112. Badlands, North Dakota
  113. Badlands Lutheran Bible Camp
  114. Medora, North Dakota
  115. 1948 snow
  116. Ladies Aid meeting, ca. 1914 - Shollsmade, North Dakota
  117. Pioneer residence of Ole Ellestad, 1907 - Dunn Center
  118. Amidon, North Dakota, ca. 1915
  119. Grassy Butte Round-up, September 1916
  120. Marmath, North Dakota
  121. Belfield, North Dakota, late 1920s
  122. Fischer School #4, 1968 - Stark County
  123. Fischer School #4, 1968 - Stark County
  124. Buffalo near Medora, North Dakota, 1985
  125. 1958 wheat
  126. Wheat - Flag Staff Farms, Stark County
  127. Custom combines, 1984 - Flag Staff Farms, Stark County
  128. Second Daglum Lutheran Church
  129. Third Daglum Lutheran Church, dedicated 1960
  130. Third Daglum Lutheran Church, dedicated 1960
  131. Third Daglum Lutheran Church, dedicated 1960
  132. John Bell School, ca 1907-08 - Daglum, North Dakota
  133. Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Daglum
  134. Daglum Community Flag, 1972 - Flag Staff Farms
  135. Daglum Community Flag Pole, 1961 - Flag Staff Farms
  136. Flag Staff Farms, 1984 - Stark County
  137. Flag Staff Farms, 1967 - Stark County
  138. Badlands Lutheran Bible Camp, 1950s - Medora, North Dakota
  139. Casey Tibbs
  140. Badlands Lutheran Bible Camp - Medora, North Dakota
  141. Retzlaff Farms, Griggs County
  142. Williston Salt Plant
  143. Valley City Winter Show Building
  144. Roll Call Board for 1972 Constitutional Convention
  145. North Dakota Conference on Aging
  146. Mrs. John Bell of Ellendale, North Dakota, Mother of the Year
  147. Antoine de Vallombrose, 1967 - Medora, North Dakota
  148. Dickinson State College, Elderhostel, 1981
  149. Unidentified North Dakota governmental figures, undated
  150. Jerry Olson and son, Valley City Winter Show, 1966
  151. Jerry Olson, Valley City Winter Show, 1966
  152. James Randall, Stark County Superindent of Schools
  153. Daglum Lutheran Church, 1982 Confirmation Service
  154. North Dakota Governors’ Wives, ca. 1980
  155. Jean Guy (left)
  156. Mrs. John Jelle, Bismarck
  157. 1972 Mother of the Year, Ella Stedjec of Hettinger
  158. 1972 Mother of the Year, Ella Stedjec with Bill Guy
  159. Daglum Young Citizens League
  160. Senator Rick Maxiner with father Dick and son Jack
  161. Jocelyn and Quentin Burdick, 1980s
  162. Warner Litten and Frank Wenstrom, 1972 Constitutional Convention
  163. Ben Bird, 1961
  164. Agnes Geelan, 1978 Democratic Convention
  165. Quentin Burdick, Rollie Redlin, Sam Ewonick and Jim Christian
  166. Cowbelles Annual Picnic, undated
  167. Mother of the Year Search Committee, 1950s
  168. Art and Grace Link, undated
  169. Jean and Bill Guy, 1968
  170. Agnes Geelan, North Dakota Press Woman Achievement Award
  171. Harold and Sheila Schafer
  172. Mabel Schafer
  173. Hubert Humphrey and Jean Guy at dedication of Kennedy Center, 1968
  174. Officers of 1968 North Dakota League of Pen Women
  175. Bea Peterson and Clarice Ressler, North Dakota League of Pen Women, 1970
  176. North Dakota League of Pen Women, President Bea Peterson, 1969
  177. North Dakota League of Pen Women, Representative Fern Lee, 1967
  178. Peg Pohorney (left), President of North Dakota Democratic Women, 1970s
  179. Officers of North Dakota Democratic Women, 1975
  180. Nellie Olynick in Ukranian costume, 1950s
  181. Senator Quentin Burdick, 1972
  182. Delegates to Rural Telephone Conference, Bea Peterson at far right
  183. Earl Rundle and Marion Piper Sullivan, ca. 1958 - Rundle’s Ranch, New England, North Dakota
  184. James Randall, Marion Connelly and Dorothy Harnick, Senior Citizens Officers, 1970 - Belfield, North Dakota
  185. Doris Eastman and Rosamund O’Brien Lowe at Cowbelles Luncheon
  186. Art and Grace Link with Mrs. Adolph Silverman at her First Ladies of the Land Doll Show, 1967
  187. Bea Peterson with President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, 1979
  188. Dean’s Chair presented to Bea Peterson by the UND Medical School
  189. Bea Peterson’s Wall of Awards
  190. Flag Staff Farms, 1981 - Stark County

Materials placed in the North Dakota Book Collection:

Hager, Dorothy. First Ladies of North Dakota, 1967

Hendrickson, Lucille. "Bea Peterson" in Women on the Move, 1975

Hunke, Linda and Jason Yecoshenko. "Bea's Busy Life" in Dakota Days, Spring 1986

Olson, Joe M. Just Reminiscing, 1906-1971: Our Log Cabin in the Hills, 1972

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