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Curtis McClinton, Jr. papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 1340

Overview

The Curtis McClinton, Jr. papers include business records, clippings, awards, photographs, and other materials related to Curtis McClinton's businesses and community involvement in the promotion of minority businesses, affordable housing, and youth football leagues. Papers belonging to McClinton's father-in-law, DeKoven French, are also included, dealing with his education at the University of Kansas in the 1920s.

Dates

  • Creation: 1914-2013, bulk 1994-2006

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

The audio cassette located at RH Cassette Tape 69 is stored in the KU Annex off-site storage area. All researchers interested in reviewing this material must consult Spencer Research Library Public Services staff (785-864-4334 or ksrlref@ku.edu, 9-5 M-F CST) before a planned visit; staff will respond within three days, though materials may not be available in that timeframe. Access to audio visual materials may require digitization first. Be advised that drop-in requests for this material cannot be accommodated.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Biography of Curtis McClinton, Jr.

Curtis R. McClinton, Junior was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on June 25, 1939. He moved with his family to Wichita, Kansas in 1943, where in 1960 his father became Kansas' first African American senator. McClinton, Jr. attended Wichita area schools and graduated from Wichita North High School in 1956, helping out in the family grocery store. He attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence and received a bachelor’s of science degree in Education and played on the University of Kansas football team, graduating in 1962.

In 1961, McClinton was picked by the Dallas Texans as a running back. When the Dallas Texans became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1962, McClinton stayed on for seven more years until his retirement in 1969. In 1967 he scored the first touchdown for the Chiefs in Super Bowl I against the Green Bay Packers.

McClinton founded the Kansas City chapter of the Black Economic Union in 1967. After retiring from football, Curtis became a registered banker and graduated from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He served as Deputy Director of the Economic Development administration, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development in Washington D.C. He has also owned and operated McClinton Development Company, a construction contracting business based in Kansas City.

Curtis McClinton, Jr. married Devonne French; together they had two daughters, Tobe and Marguerite.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (3 boxes + 5 oversize boxes, 1 VHS tape, 1 CD, 1 audio cassette)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

McClinton's papers include correspondence, photographs, awards and plaques, newspaper clippings, bids and project records, financial records, information about and copies of legislation pertinent to McClinton's business and personal interests, and other related materials. Topics in the collection include but are not limited to Central Contracting Company, McClinton Development Company, affordable and equitable housing, community and neighborhood development in several cities throughout Kansas, athletics, University of Kansas alumni association, and other matters of interest to McClinton, as well as materials related to his football career. The bulk of the collection dates from the 1990s to the early 2000s.

A 1920s era University of Kansas scrapbook belonging to McClinton's father-in-law, DeKoven French, as well as his master's thesis and other papers and photographs are also included.

The bulk of the collection is located at RH MS 1340. Oversize and audio visual materials have been physically separated and are located at RH MS Q515, RH MS R364, RH Video 46, RH CD 39, and RH Cassette Tape 69. The cassette tape has been sent to offsite storage.

Physical Location

RH MS 1340

Physical Location

RH MS Q515

Physical Location

RH MS R364

Physical Location

RH Video 46

Physical Location

RH CD 39

Physical Location

RH Cassette Tape 69

Physical Location

A/V items at Annex (Contact Spencer Library Public Services)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts, Marguerite French McClinton, 2013, 2018, 2021.

Title
Guide to the Curtis McClinton, Jr. Collection
Subtitle
Curtis McClinton, Jr. papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by el, 2014. Finding aid encoded by el, 2014. Finding aid revised by mhr, 2015; revised by bas and mwh, 2019; eje, 2023.
Date
2014
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Support for portions of the processing of this collection was provided by the Dana and Sue Anderson African American Collecting Program Endowment Fund.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/9419795282
Preferred citation
Curtis McClinton, Jr. Collection, RH MS 1340, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Revision Statements

  • 2017-05: updated for version 1.5
  • 2018-09-24: Added Annex information for cassette tape sent offsite, mwh
  • 2019-04-12: Incorporated folders within current series (expanded 1 box to be cf box), several new artifacts to be added to oversize pending housing, bas
  • 2019-04-22: Added 2 OS boxes of objects to existing call number, bas
  • 2019-06-04: Added materials returned from conservation to existing call numbers, mwh
  • 2023-10-25: Interfiled and added oversize box for Dekoven French papers, eje

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334