Frank Harding Collection

Collection

Identifier: 1995-037

Staff Only

Digital Images from the Frank Harding Collection

Dates

1817 - 1994

Creator

Harding, Frank (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The Frank Harding Collection has no restrictions and is available for research. If you are interested in researching the materials, please contact the Dickinson Research Center to make an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use

The Frank Harding Collection is the property of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Materials, even if owned by the NCWHM, may be protected under third party copyright. It is the patron’s responsibility to research and secure any such additional copyright and pay any required fees or royalties. It is not the intention of the NCWHM to impede upon any third party rights, and the NCWHM cannot be held responsible if the patron is involved in legal action due to violation of third party copyright claims.

Biographical / Historical

Frank Harding was born in 1911, at Anoka Farms, Waukesha, Wisconsin, the premier Shorthorn cattle and sheep-breeding establishment started by his grandfather George. Frank served in World War II as a lieutenant commander in the destroyer service. In 1952, he joined with C.K. Tomson and leading livestock men of the time to form the American Livestock Insurance Company. Harding became a leading importer and exporter of cattle, originating the third country concept for bringing animals to America from countries under sanitary ban. He was a member of the National Cattle Association, National Western Standing Committees of the US Animal Health and Poultry Diseases, and a director of the International Livestock Exhibition. He was head cattle buyer for Armour and Co. in Oklahoma City.

Harding was also involved with the Saddle and Sirloin Club. Founded in 1903, in Chicago, the Club’s purpose is to recognize individuals that have made significant contributions to the livestock industry. They honor their inductees by commissioning a portrait and hanging it in their gallery. On display at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Lewisville, Kentucky, the Saddle and Sirloin Club Portrait Collection spans over 350 works, including a painting of Frank Harding.

Extent

4.17 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The advertising cards series (undated) is made up of seven advertising cards for various products.

The booklets and pamphlets series (1817-1990) is comprised of booklets and pamphlets Harding collected. They have been organized topically and arranged alphabetically. They are cataloged and can also be accessed through our Library Catalog. Of interest are his booklets about different livestock breeds. The event programs in this series were most likely gathered by Harding because he attended the occasion. Exceptions are the Veiled Prophets Sixth Annual Autumnal Festival in 1883 and the Chicago World’s Fair.

The booklets with correspondence series (1924-1980) has booklets that Harding requested. Most of the booklets are from England, Scotland, and Wales. Harding contacted specific breed societies for information about their animals. They are cataloged and can also be accessed through our Library Catalog.

The Cattle Association snapshots of members series (undated) documents members of the group. The images are housed in a binder (box 11). Each snapshot is labeled with the member’s name, but no dates are given. They are original photographs, and are not available in the DRC’s image database.

The Correspondence series (1927,1957) consists of a few letters sent to Harding.

The Ephemera from inside books series (undated) is made up of loose items found in the books Harding donated.

The Saddle and Sirloin Club series (1920-1994) documents part of the history of the club. Harding was an active member, and even had his own portrait added to the extensive collection of art owned by the club. The club was based in Chicago, Illinois, and is now in Lewisville, Kentucky.

The Stockyard photographs series (1942) consists of 64 8”x10” portraits of identified men. These were presumably photographed by Harding, while they were at an unidentified stockyard.