2018-11-29 Guide to the Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd, 1938-circa 2000s SPEC.PA.56.0221 Finding aid prepared by Karen Glenn Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2018 November This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2025-01-07T16:03-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd SPEC.PA.56.0221 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 2.49 Cubic feet 1938-circa 2000s Richard E. Byrd was an Admiral of the United States Navy and polar explorer who led or participated in five expeditions to Antarctica between 1928 and 1956. He has been memorialized posthumously by numerous public and private entities around the world, including through building and monument dedications. One of Byrd's memorials was dedicated in 1962, in Wellington, New Zealand, to honor his contributions to exploration and international relations. Byrd's daughter and son-in-law, Katharine and Robert, participated in many programs honoring Byrd in the decades after his death. The Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd contain correspondence, clippings, photographs, programs, and other documents related to Katharine Byrd and Robert Breyer's involvement in Richard E. Byrd's legacy. The collection also contains clippings reflecting on the contributions of Richard E. Byrd, correspondence and clippings from or regarding polar explorers that worked with Byrd, and a few items dated before Richard E. Byrd's death, including some correspondence from Byrd. The materials are dated 1938-circa 2000s. (1) 5" letter document box; (1) 2.5" letter document box; (1) flat box; (1) oversize flat box; (1) carton; (1) card box; (1) legal file folder English Breyer, Katharine Byrd Breyer, Robert Byrd Breyer, Robert G. Arrangement of Materials

This collection is arranged chronologically, and alphabetically by topic or given title within the same date.

Unprocessed additions are listed at the end of the inventory in the order received:

Accession No. PA.2021.0014

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2018.0013: Robert Breyer, 2016 March; Accession No. PA.2021.0014: Robert Breyer, 2023 February.

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd, SPEC.PA.56.0221, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

This collection is available for patron research, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio/visual materials and computer media may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Karen Glenn, 2018 November; Finding aid written by: Karen Glenn, 2018 November

 Biographical Note

Richard E. Byrd (1888-1957) was an Admiral of the United States Navy and polar explorer who led or participated in five expeditions to Antarctica between 1928 and 1956. He has been memorialized posthumously by numerous public and private entities around the world through building and monument dedications, medals, postage stamps, portraits, United States ship names, and various other awards and honors. Byrd has two memorials in New Zealand, one of which was dedicated on March 11, 1962, on the fifth anniversary of his death. The bronze bust was dedicated in Wellington, New Zealand, honoring Byrd's contributions to exploration and international relations. New Zealand had been used historically as a departure point for Byrd's expeditions. Richard E. Byrd married Marie Donaldson Ames in 1915. Katharine Byrd Breyer (1924-1999) was one of their four children. She married Robert G. Breyer (1918-1980), and the couple participated in many programs memorializing Admiral Byrd in the decades after his death. Katharine actively sought to preserve her father's legacy throughout her life. Katharine and Robert's son, Robert Byrd Breyer, was a resident of Los Angeles, California, as of 2018.

 Scope and Contents

The Katharine Byrd and Robert G. Breyer Family Papers on Richard E. Byrd contain correspondence, plaques, a scrapbook, clippings, photographs, programs, digital media and other documents related to Katharine Byrd Breyer and her husband Robert G. Breyer's participation in programs honoring Katharine's father, Admiral Richard E. Byrd. The materials mainly relate to posthumous building, ship, and monument dedications, and other ceremonies honoring Richard E. Byrd from locations around the world, including a significant dedication in Wellington, New Zealand, on the fifth anniversary of Byrd's death in 1962. The collection also has a few items dated before Richard E. Byrd's death, including some correspondence sent from Byrd to Katharine and Robert, and one 2007 clipping on Richard E. Byrd collected by Robert G. and Katharine's son, Robert Byrd Breyer. The materials are dated 1938-circa 2000s.

 Related Materials Admiral Richard E. Byrd Papers Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains flash drives and an audiocassette.

 Breyer, Katharine Byrd Breyer, Robert G. Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957--Monuments Antarctica--Discovery and exploration--American--20th century Audiocassettes Dedication services--20th century Explorers--Antarctica--20th century Explorers--Press coverage--20th century Families of military personnel--United States--20th century Monuments--20th century Monuments--New Zealand--Wellington (Region)--Wellington--20th century Photograph albums Plaques (flat objects) Postage stamps USB flash drives "Courage: A Tribute to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd" memorial booklet signed by Jim Mooney, addressed to "Kay Byrd Breyer" 1 1 1938 March 3 Byrd (Richard E.) correspondence sent to Katharine Byrd from Japan in WWII 1 2 1945 September 10 Byrd (Richard E.) correspondence sent to Robert G. Breyer 1 3 1950 April 25 Clippings regarding Richard E. Byrd 1 4 1952-1957 Byrd (Richard E.) empty envelope sent to Katharine and Robert G. Breyer 1 5 circa 1955 "U.S. Breaks Into a Frozen Continent" in Life 3 1 circa 1955 "City Honors Adm. Byrd, Eisenhower Sends Greetings" Herald Tribune clipping 1 6 1956 April 4 Martin (David) correspondence sent to Robert G. Breyer regarding Wisdom Award given to Richard E. Byrd 1 7 1956 November New York Times clippings and Richard E. Byrd and Bud Waite photograph sent to Breyer family by Bud Waite 1 8 1956, 1983 Breyer (Katharine Byrd) correspondence sent to Robert G. Bryer regarding health of Richard E. Byrd 1 9 1957 March "L.A. Veterans Pay Tribute to Adm. Byrd" Los Angeles Times 1 10 1957 July 1 "Expeditions Led by Adm. Byrd Tore the Veil from Half of America" clipping and color map 3 2 circa 1957 Farmers and Merchants National Bank branch dedication photographs, invitation, correspondence and clippings 1 12 1958 S.J. (Senate Joint) Res. (Resolution) 103 to authorize Richard E. Byrd statue in Virginia 1 11 1959 June 2 Mount Victoria, Wellington New Zealand memorial gatherings photographs and personal tributes 1 13 1961-1962 USS (United State Ship) Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) launching, invitations, programs and correspondence 1 14 1961-1962 "Admiral Byrd Memorial Unveiled" in The Weekly News 3 4 1962 March 21 "Bust of an Admiral" in The Weekly News 3 3 1962 March 21 Mount Victoria, Wellington Byrd Memorial photographs, program, and correspondence 1 15 1962 "Missile Destroyer Commissioned" Seattle Post-Intelligencer clipping 1 16 1964 March 8 Richard E. Byrd Memorial Mount Victoria invitation 1 17 1964 March 15 Dedication of Executive Offices, Greenwich, Connecticut program 1 18 1964 September 18 "Anniversary of Polar Flight" Christian Science Monitor clipping 1 19 1967 November 28 "Byrd Polar Ship, Old North Star, Being Overhauled" Los Angeles Times clipping 1 20 1968 April 3 International Aerospace Hall of Fame Award of Honor to Admiral Byrd plaque 4 1968 September 7 International Aerospace Hall of Fame Awards Banquet scrapbook 1 21 1968 September "Study Supports Byrd's Polar Flight Story" Los Angeles Times clipping 1 22 1973 February 22 "Pete" Demas Los Angeles Times obituary 1 23 1979 November 26 Roos (Eddie) correspondence sent to Robert G. Breyer with photographs 1 24 1981 April 10 Waite (Bud) correspondence to Breyer family in support of Richard E. Byrd (photocopy) 1984 1 25 circa 1984 "Face of Antarctic Explorer on New Stamp" The Winchester Star clipping 1 26 1988 September 15 Roosevelt (Franklin D.) correspondence with Richard E. Byrd (photocopy) 1940 September 19 1 27 circa 1980s Correspondence and press releases regarding the honoring of Richard E. Byrd and the Antarctic Treaty, 1940, 1956 (photocopies) 1 28 circa 1980s Hero Foundation and various government agencies correspondence with Katharine Byrd Breyer regarding a merchant mariner memorial 1 29 1992-1993 Mount Victoria, Wellington Byrd Memorial restoration correspondence and clippings 1 30 1992-1993 Richard E. Byrd Building dedicated at Shearwater, Nova Scotia, photographs and public affairs correspondence 1 31 1995 April-November North (Andrew) correspondence sent to Katharine Byrd Breyer 1 32 1996 July 25 "Exploring the Far Reaches: Remembering Admiral Byrd" in The Kappa Alpha Journal 1 33 1996 Summer "Antarctic Flashback: Byrd's Second Expedition" in Antarctic 2 1 1997 March National Archives correspondence sent to Katharine Byrd Breyer regarding Richard E. Byrd films 2 2 1997 July 14 "Scientists Extend New Appreciation for Byrd's Legacy" The Winchester Star clipping 2 3 1997 July 14 Statue dedication in Winchester, Virginia program and invitation 2 4 1997 July 14 Winchester, Virginia Richard E. Byrd bronze statue unveiling clippings 3 5 1997 July 15 United States Postal Service announcement of Teterboro Hall of Fame and Museum grand opening 2 5 1997 "Admiral is Placed on a New Pedestal" The Winchester Star clipping 2 6 1999 October 26 "The Admiral's Quarters" Boston Sunday Globe clipping 2 7 2007 February 18 Accession No. PA.2021.0014 1.23 Cubic feet 1956-circa 2000s (1) carton; (1) card box; (1) legal file folder Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Accession No. PA.2021.0014 contains two flash drives and one audiocassette.

 Scope and Contents

Accession No. PA.2021.0014 contains plaques, a commemorative picture album, brochures, two flash drives and one audiocassette pertaining to Katharine Byrd Breyer and her husband Robert G. Breyer's participation in programs honoring Katharine's father, Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Material is dated 1956-circa 2000s.

 United States Ship Bryd Guided Missile Destroyer silver engraved tray Accession No. PA.2021.0014.001 1962 February 6 United States Ship Bryd Guided Missile Destroyer plaque Accession No. PA.2021.0014.001 1962 Commemorative picture album presented by the Navy Accession No. PA.2021.0014.001 1962 February 6 Tetersboro airport plaque engraved to Richard Byrd Accession No. PA.2021.0014.001 1998 United States Postal Service commemorative Antarctic Explorers first day of issue binder Accession No. PA.2021.0014.001 1988 September 14 Brochures regarding Guided Missile Destroyer 23 Polar Small Accessions 6 1956-1997 Powepoint slideshow on the construction history of Dome South Pole Station flash drive Accession No. PA.2021.0014.002 circa 2000s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains a flash drive.

 50th anniversary of Richard Byrd's 1929 South Pole flight flash drive Accession No. PA.2021.0014.002 circa 2000s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains a flash drive.

 Byrd (Richard) memorial rededication services audiocassette Accession No. PA.2021.0014.002 circa 1990s Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown