Arbor Day Records, 1938 and 1999

Materials in this one wallet (0.1 linear feet) collection pertain to the Arbor Day celebrations at Texas Tech University. The photograph depicts Dr. Bradford Knapp on horseback on Arbor Day 1939. The other items include a letter to Debbie Montford concerning the 1999 Arbor Day celebrations, and an Arbor Day Proclamation for February 1999.

In 1938, the vast campus's lack of trees and shrubery caused President Bradford Knapp proclaim that one day each spring would be dedicated to beautifying the campus. The first Arbor Day at Texas Tech University was March 2, 1938 where 20,000 trees and shrubs were planted around the campus by students, faculty, and university organizations. Classes were dismissed at noon on this particular day to enable people to participate in the plantings. A chuckwagon served as the refreshment stand, offering doughnuts and coffee. For about ten years, the Arbor Day celebrations continued until the University was able to fund a maintenance program and landscape architect. In 1999, Virginia Knapp, daughter of Dr. Bradford Knapp, as a guest at the Arbor Day celebration hosted by Debbie Montford, wife of Chancellor John Montford.

Subject terms:  Arbor Day; Knapp, Bradford, Dr.; Bradford, Virginia; and Montford, Debbie.

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