Main content
J. Paul Baldeagle Papers
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
J. Paul (Joseph Paul) Baldeagle was a South Dakota-born Sioux and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He was a direct descendant of Chief No-Flesh, who defeated General George Custer. Baldeagle attended the Carlisle Indian School, and later, Princeton University, graduating in the Class of 1923. Baldeagle was a schoolteacher (1924-1960) and head of the English Department (1934-1959) at William MacFarland High School in Bordentown, New Jersey. After retiring from teaching, he worked at Princeton University's Firestone Library. Throughout his life, he was an activist on behalf of the rights of Native American people. Baldeagle bequeathed his extensive collection of Native American artifacts to the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.
The collection consists of a small group of papers of J. Paul Baldeagle (Princeton University Class of 1923), a South Dakota-born Sioux, who was a schoolteacher for 35 years at William MacFarland High School in Bordentown, New Jersey, as well as a Native American rights activist. His papers include correspondence regarding speaking events and honors, land sales, and family matters; letters from elementary school children at the Riverside School in Princeton following class visits; writings, including poems and essays about Sioux cultural traditions and religion; photographs of Baldeagle, his students, family members, and friends; printed material, such as invitations and programs; and newspaper clippings about Baldeagle, including articles about his activism and obituaries.
Gift of Cecile Wright Baldeagle in 1974 (AM 21482).
Folder inventory added by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.
Description updated by Kelly Bolding in December 2018.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of ten photographs and photographic postcards depicting Baldeagle (including his Princeton senior portrait), members of his family and community, and students he coached. Includes photographs taken in New Jersey and South Dakota, and many of the photographs have detailed annotations.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder