The Frank E. Denholm Papers consist mostly of materials generated during the time he served as the representative to South Dakota’s First Congressional District, from 1971 to 1975. These materials document his work for rural America, particularly his effort to reinstate the Rural Electrification Act and numerous legislation regarding agriculture, rural water, and rural development. Press releases and newspaper clippings about his activities in Congress can be found in the papers. The collection also includes scrapbooks and memorabilia about his campaigns for Congress. In addition, there are several files of correspondence, some of which was with members of Congress and other notable people such as George McGovern and Richard Kneip. The collection includes nearly 1,500 photographs and slides, most of which relate to his campaigns for Congress. There are reel-to-reel audio recordings and video recordings on 2-inch quad video tape that consist of campaign advertisements and his work in Congress. The collection also documents Denholm’s career as a sheriff, auctioneer, F.B.I. agent, and lawyer.

The papers also contain documents relating to Frank Denholm’s wife, Mildred Niehaus Denholm. Mrs. Denholm was born May 9, 1927 to Frank F. and Elizabeth C. (Schuring) Niehaus from Andover, South Dakota. She married Frank Denholm on June 12, 1950 in Webster, South Dakota. She attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, SD and taught in rural schools. Mrs. Denholm also went to the Aberdeen School of Business, the Strayer Business College in Washington, D.C., and the University of Utah where she studied music. She worked as a medical and legal secretary. Mrs. Denholm actively campaigned for her husband. She was involved in the Congressional Women’s Club while Denholm was in office. Mrs. Denholm passed away August 14, 2014. The collection includes correspondence between Frank and Mildred Denholm and her activities with the Congressional Women’s Club.

This collection is composed of the personal papers of Hilton M. Briggs. It is composed of material related to his retirement as president of South Dakota State University and his life after his retirement. It also contains recognition materials in the form of plaques, certificates, and trophies. Included are many files related to his induction to the Saddle and Sirloin Club portrait collection. Also included are biographical materials, clippings, correspondence, writings, photographs, and scrapbooks.

The papers of Robert F. Karolevitz (1922-) span the years 1833-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910-1999. The collection is composed personal, professional, and research files, as well as photographs.

The personal files span the years 1894-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1968-1981. The bulk of this series is composed of material relating to personal areas of Karolevitz's life not directly related with his professional writing career. The exception to this would be the correspondence series which is composed of material related to both his professional and personal life and includes correspondence with family members and friends. Materials include audio visual material, awards and recognition, clubs and organizations, committees and boards, correspondence, education, ephemera and collected materials, family, financial and legal documents, and material related to Karolevitz’s other interests and activities.

The professional files span the years 1947-2002, with the bulk of the material dating from 1960-1969. The series consists of material created by Karolevitz during his career. Included are articles that were published in various periodicals, manuscripts and other material related to books written by Karolevitz, columns written for several different newspapers, commercial writing and advertising material, political ghostwriting material and speech files. Also included is material related to publishers, other writings, and other material related to writings, such as layout material, rejection slips, and catalogs that listed his books for sale.

The research files span the years 1833-2005, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910-1999. The series is composed of material collected by Karolevitz relating either directly to research for books and articles that he wrote or material that was of interest to him. Material consists mainly of clippings of newspapers and magazine articles, publications, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, photographs and illustrations, correspondence, notes written by Karolevitz and other miscellaneous collected material. Many folders contain only one or a few items.

The photographs are composed of images Karolevitz collected and used in his many publications. Included are images related to automobiles, journalism, medicine, religion, people, and places.

The materials in this collection were gathered by various officers and members of South Dakota State Poetry Society. The collection consists of historical information, board meeting notes and minutes, correspondence, publications by the organization, publications by South Dakota poets, and the 2015 Poet Laureate recommendation to the Governor.