Dern, George Henry Records, 1872-1936.

This series consists of correspondence, speeches, scrapbooks and photographs relating to the private life together with the business and political careers of George Henry Dern. The nearly lifelong span of scrapbooks are particularly voluminous during his two terms as governor of Utah. However, the balance of correspondence, speeches and photographs emphasize his life before occupying the governor's mansion and later as Secretary of War in President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's cabinet.

Dern often corresponded with family members both in his native Nebraska and with those away at school or traveling abroad and also with associates regarding business opportunities or political issues. As Secretary of War serving in peacetime, his letters reported his activity supporting the Roosevelt Administration's efforts to solve the nation's Depression Era economic and social problems. Other letters that chronicle his work during this period address the future political status of the Philippines and Puerto Rico. His concern about the management of the Colorado River with neighboring states within its basin continued through his term of service with the federal government.

Notable among the scrapbooks are the Secretary of War's tours of the Panama Canal Zone, the Pacific and East Asia. Photographs in the collection include portraits of Dern and his wife during young adulthood, plus additional portraits used in political campaigns and for publicity during his service in President Roosevelt's cabinet. Dern delivered speeches before a variety of organizations including political and commercial clubs in addition to service, patriotic and fraternal societies. He evidently was invited often to return to many of these organizations to deliver further speeches. Other records included are class notes from Dern's studies of European history and classical Greek and Roman literature at the University of Nebraska, also certificates of election to political office and awards from community organizations plus War Department press releases.

These records lend much insight into Dern's political, economic and social stances as well as his personal philosophy of life and relationships with family and friends.