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Keep New Mexico Beautiful Records

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-733-BC

Scope and Content

The Keep New Mexico Beautiful collection contains documents concerning KNMB's participation in civic beautification including newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, correspondence, and administrative files. The collection reflects KNMB's interest in projects relating to civic beautification, litter control and environmental education. Files include materials from organizations such as Keep America Beautiful, Arbor Day Foundation, garden clubs, and state agencies. The collection is divided into 5 series.

Scrapbooks and Clippings consists mostly of copies of clippings that were originally in scrapbooks organized by geographic area. These are maintained in their original order as compiled in the scrapbooks. Most of the clippings deal with local involvement, citizen participation, and urban beautification and renewal efforts in communities throughout New Mexico. The loose clippings, not originally in scrapbook form, pertain to KNMB's participation in various community projects such as Arbor Day activities. The Eunice Kalloch Day Scrapbook documents the honors and awards she received for her role in the beautification movement.

Administration consists of material relating to meetings, minutes, and proclamations. This series contains information about the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, governor's reports, and KNMB budgets. A portion of this series deals with the board of directors.

Correspondence and Publicity consists mostly of letters between KNMB and its members. It also contains newsletters from such organizations as KNMB, Clean World International, and the Kirtland Officers' Wives Club. A portion of this series contains letters between Keep New Mexico Beautiful and national and state leaders. Publicity includes pamphlets and advertisements of KNMB and other beautification organizations.

Organizations and Projects consists mostly of information on other beautification organizations and their projects. Some of these organizations are Keep Britain Tidy, Keep America Beautiful, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and local gardening clubs. A portion of this series deals with projects such as former Governor Tom Bolack's 100,000 Tree program, the Sunflower Project, and the Wildflower Project. It also contains the Bulletin of the New Mexico Gardner, Inc.

Photographs document activities and members of Keep New Mexico Beautiful.

Oversize consists of one scrapbook of the City Beautification Committee, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, compiled by committee member Eunice Kalloch. The scrapbook contains information on the history of Dusty Roadrunner. This series also includes governors' proclamations about Keep New Mexico Beautiful and Eunice Kalloch.

Dates

  • 1952-1988

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Background Information

Keep New Mexico Beautiful, Inc (KNMB) was established in 1965, under the direction of Eunice Kalloch. The organization was formed to achieve three goals. The first goal was the preservation and enhancement of New Mexico's natural beauty through a program of public education. Second, the organization wanted to encourage local citizens' groups to improve the surroundings in their own areas. Third, KNMB sought to develop among residents of New Mexico a pride in their communities and to emphasize the benefits of a clean and beautiful state. With these three goals in place, the organization began to work with national, state and local groups and officials to achieve them.

In trying to preserve and enhance New Mexico's natural beauty through public education programs, Keep New Mexico Beautiful focused on the youth of New Mexico. With this in mind, Keep New Mexico Beautiful acquired locally designed Dusty Roadrunner as a mascot. Dusty was trademarked by the organization in 1967 and officially adopted by the State of New Mexico in 1969 as its litter prevention symbol. In adopting Dusty as its mascot, KNMB hoped to instill the beautification movement in the young. School recycling and beautification programs were instituted to ensure that the youth of New Mexico were involved. Public education was further increased through civic activities and political participation.

Encouraging local citizens to improve their own neighborhoods, Keep New Mexico Beautiful was at the forefront in uniting civic and government beautification efforts. Organizations such as the Kirtland Officers' Wives' Club, Arbor Day Foundation, and city garden clubs helped to spread the beautification movement. In trying to expand its influence, KNMB also worked with national organizations such as Keep America Beautiful. Sharing common goals with these national organizations helped to instill a sense of unity in the beautification efforts of the 1970s and 1980s.

By encouraging residents of New Mexico to develop a pride in their communities and their state and to emphasize the benefits of a clean and beautiful state, Keep New Mexico Beautiful also worked closely with government officials. With the cooperation of former Governor Tom Bolack, Keep New Mexico Beautiful was able to implement the 100,000 trees program. Cooperation with political figures such as Lady Bird Johnson, former state governors, and U.S. senators from New Mexico, KNMB was able to increase the visibility of the beautification movement in New Mexico.

Keep New Mexico Beautiful, Inc. continues to be involved in community beautification efforts. Working with local citizens' groups, the organization focuses on the preservation and enhancement of the state's natural beauty, developing pride among citizens, and emphasizing the benefits of a clean and beautiful New Mexico.

Extent

3 boxes (2.65 cu. ft.)

Abstract

This collection consists of correspondence, news clippings, administrative materials and scrapbooks relating to Keep New Mexico Beautiful, Inc. It documents the organization's participation in civic beautification and environmental education.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 5 series:
  1. Scrapbooks and Clippings: This series, in its original order, is arranged alphabetically.
  2. Administration: This series, in its original order, is arranged alphabetically.
  3. Correspondence and Publicity: Arrangement of this series was imposed during processing. It is in chronological order.
  4. Organizations and Projects: Arrangement of this series was imposed during processing. It is in chronological order.
  5. Photographs
  6. Oversize: A large scrapbook and proclamations were moved to oversize.

Related Archival Material

Eunice Kalloch Papers Center for Southwest Research. University Libraries. University of New Mexico. Contains material on Eunice Kalloch, the founder of Keep New Mexico Beautiful.
Title
Finding Aid of the Keep New Mexico Beautiful Records, 1952-1988
Status
Approved
Author
Processed by Jared Vanderpool
Date
©2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451