ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

JANE SINNER PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #1267

DATES: 1981-1992; Bulk Dates, 1985-1992

SIZE: 8.75 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION:The Jane Sinner Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Jane Sinner, Governor's Residence, Bismarck, ND January 25, 1993. (Accession #93-1862).

ACCESS:Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Elizabeth "Jane" (Baute) Sinner was born January 13, 1931 in Lebanon, Kentucky, where she lived until 1948. She attended St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1948 and then Webster University, also in St. Louis, from 1949 through 1951. While at Webster University she met George Sinner, future governor of North Dakota. The two were married in 1951 and moved to Casselton, ND, Sinner's home town. The Sinners raised ten children. Before becoming the state's First Lady, Jane Sinner involved herself with a variety of local social and arts groups as well as the North Dakota Mental Health Association.

As North Dakota's First Lady from December 1984 through December 1992, Jane Sinner initiated several social and cultural projects. First among them was the "Celebration of Lights," which she began in conjunction with the North Dakota Mental Health Association. Held statewide during the Christmas season, "Celebration of Lights" is an annual awareness and fund raising campaign that benefits the ND Mental Health Association.

Jane Sinner also was concerned about problems associated with teen pregnancy and violence in children's television programming. She spoke often on both subjects, addressing parents' groups and school boards. She also participated in a September 1987 Western Governors' Association conference on television violence.

Her position as First Lady enabled her to promote local arts. Jane Sinner helped form the Sleepy Hollow Performing Arts Camp, a summer program for North Dakota youths interested in theatre. She also attended art shows across the state, presenting Governor's Awards to local artists and displaying their work at the Governor's Residence in Bismarck.

In addition to acquiring art for her state home, Jane Sinner established a private, non-profit foundation, "Friends of the Residence," to raise funds for the restoration and preservation of the Governor's Residence. Of the Residence's 18 rooms, 16 were restored and redecorated under her direction.

To promote the beautification of state lands, especially roadsides, Jane Sinner founded "North Dakota Goes Wild!" The private/public partnership gathered information about North Dakota's wild flowers and distributed seed packets and related documentation to individuals and groups across the state.

After Governor Sinner's second term expired in December 1992, the Sinners moved to Fargo.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

When received, the Jane Sinner Papers consisted of nine boxes filled with documents and materials related to or created by Jane Sinner during her eight years as North Dakota's First Lady. Folders containing correspondence were, for the most part, arranged chronologically. The bulk of the collection consisted of folders that were organized by subject. Subject headings were primarily arranged in alphabetical order. One box was filled with appointment books and a guest book.

When processed, the Jane Sinner Papers were arranged into three series - Correspondence, Subjects, and Appointment and Guest Books. Audio/visual materials were separated and stored elsewhere within the Department. Photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photographic Collection.

SERIES I, CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence is arranged chronologically and consists of both in-coming and out-going letters. Letters contain a variety of information from projects that Jane Sinner was involved with to requests for recipes and letters of thanks. Many letters also contain newspaper clippings. Although folder 16 is labeled "Correspondence from Children," letters from children can also be found throughout the regular correspondence.

SERIES II, SUBJECTS
Subjects are arranged alphabetically and include events, projects, topics, organizations, and associations with which Jane Sinner was involved during her eight years as First Lady. Some subjects, such as "Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting" and "Optimal Pregnancy Outcome Project (OP-OP)," include overlapping documents. After locating desired materials within the Subject Series, researchers are encouraged to examine related time frames within the Correspondence Series for associated documents.

SERIES III, APPOINTMENT AND GUEST BOOKS
Appointment books kept by Jane Sinner chronicle her activities as First Lady as well as family-related dates. Available too are the governor's appointments for December 1984 through December 1985. Guest Books for the Governor's Residence date from January 1985-December 1992. Guests for January and February 1988 were not recorded. Guest Book entries include only name and address. All items in this series are arranged chronologically.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

SERIES I - CORRESPONDENCE
Box 1
Folder

1. Correspondence NOV 1984-DEC 1985
2. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1986
3. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1986
4. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1987
5. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1987
6. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1988
7. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1988
8. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1989
9. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1989
10. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1990
11. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1990
12. Correspondence JAN-JUN 1991
13. Correspondence JUL-DEC 1991
14. Correspondence 1992
15. Correspondence 1992
16. Correspondence from children

SERIES II - SUBJECTS
Box 2
Folder

1. Abortion Veto APR 1991
2. Accounts, household FEB 1985-MAR 1986
3. Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting, correspondence MAY 1985-DEC 1986
4. Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting, correspondence JAN 1987-JUL 1989
5. Art for Governor's Residence
6. Art Shows
7. Art Shows
8. Art Shows
9. Art Associations
10. Articles, clipped
11. Articles, clipped
12. Articles, clipped related to Lola Perpich, First Lady of Minnesota 1989
13. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
14. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
15. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
16. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
17. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
18. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
19. Bicentennial Commission of the US Constitution
20. Bill of Rights Traveling Exhibit 1991
21. Celebration of Lights, ND Mental Health Association
22. Capitol Arts and Historic Preservation Committee
23. Capitol Grounds
24. Centennial "Party of the Century" 1989
25. Centennial Commission 1990

Box 3
Folder

1. Child Abuse, North Dakota
2. Children's TV Programming, correspondence JUL 1987-NOV 1988
3. Christmas Cards and Lists
4. Christmas Cards List, Governor's Residence
5. Christmas Cards received from other governors
6. Christmas Decorations on loan
7. Christmas, Governor's Staff
8. Christmas 1985, Germans from Russia
9. Christmas 1986
10. Christmas 1987
11. Christmas 1988, Swedish
12. Christmas 1989, Norwegian
13. Christmas 1990, Ukrainian
14. Christmas 1991, English
15. Constitutional Celebration Committee
16. Directories
17. "Enough is Enough"
18. Friends of the Residence, general file
19. Friends of the Residence, correspondence 1987-1989
20. Friends of the Residence, correspondence 1988-1992
21. Friends of the Residence, corporate fund raising
22. Friends of the Residence, thank you letters to contributors JAN 1992
23. Friends of the Residence, foundation letter to oil companies SEP 1991
24. Friends of the Residence, Meridian Oil press release FEB 1992
25. Friends of the Residence, mailing labels
26. Friends of the Residence, manual part I
27. Friends of the Residence, manual part II
28. Functions 1984-1985
29. Functions Regretted 1985
30. Functions Attended 1986
31. Functions Attended 1986
32. Functions Regretted 1986
33. Functions Attended 1987

Box 4
Folder

1. Functions Regretted 1987
2. Functions Attended 1988
3. Functions Regretted 1988
4. Functions Attended 1989
5. Functions Attended 1989
6. Functions Regretted 1989
7. Functions Attended 1990
8. Functions Regretted 1990
9. Functions Attended 1991
10. Functions Regretted 1991
11. Functions Attended 1992
12. Functions Regretted 1992
13. Functions held at the Governor's Residence 1985-1988
14. Functions held at the Governor's Residence 1989-1992
15. Functions-Inaugural Ball JAN 1989
16. Functions-American Energy Assurance Council SEP 1989
17. Functions-Interstate Oil Compact Commission JUN 1990
18. Functions-"The Brass Bash" JUN 1991
19. Functions-Mother of the Year 1981-1986
20. Functions-Mother of the Year 1986-1992
21. Gifts-pottery bowls
22. Gifts sent 1986
23. Gifts received
24. Legislative committees 1989
25. Legislators' directories
26. Legislature 1991-1993
27. Mental Health
28. Midwest Living article

Box 5
Folder

1. National Governors' Association, arts review
2. National Governors' Association, governors list
3. National Governors' Association, winter 1990
4. National Governors' Association 1991
5. National Governors' Association 1992
6. Optimal Pregnancy Outcome Project (OP-OP)
7. Personal File
8. Policy Statements related to the Residence, Campaign, and Governor's Office
9. Presidential Scholars
10. Press and Press Releases 1984-1992
11. Proclamations
12. Pro-Life Mail 1984
13. Quilt of governors' wives
14. Quilting Project for governor's residence guest room
15. Quotes
16. Recipes and Recipe Requests
17. Republic of China Mission AUG 1986
18. Governor's Residence Decorating
19. Governor's Residence Guest Room
20. Governor's Residence Personnel
21. Retired Senior Volunteer Program APR 1987
22. Sinner Family Information
23. Sleepy Hollow Arts Park, Performing Arts Camp
24. Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre "Annie Get Your Gun" 1990
25. Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre "Plain and Fancy" 1991
26. Sleepy Hollow Summer Theatre "Oklahoma!" 1992
27. Speeches
28. Speeches
29. Speeches
30. Speeches-Adolescent Pregnancy
31. Governors' Spouses Correspondence JUL 1985- JUL 1988
32. Governors' Spouses Correspondence AUG 1988- JUN 1992
33. Governors' Spouses Seminars, general
34. Governors' Spouses Seminars, general
35. Governors' Spouses Seminars, general
36. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook MAY 1985
37. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook MAY 1985

Box 6
Folder

1. Governors' Spouses Seminar, papers May 1985
2. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook APR 1986
3. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook NOV 1986
4. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook NOV 1990
5. Governors' Spouses Seminar Handbook SEP 1991
6. State Historical Society
7. State Hospital
8. Stationary
9. Teddy Bears
10. Teddy Bears
11. Television Programming for Children
12. Tourism
13. Transition 1992
14. Travel, Canada
15. Travel, Japan
16. Travel, Little Rock, Arkansas
17. Travel, Norway
18. Travel, Republic of Korea
19. Travel, Seattle
20. Travel, Telluride, Colorado
21. Travel, Utah
22. Travel, West Germany
23. Volunteer Service Awards 1981-1988
24. Wildflowers-North Dakota Goes Wild! (NDGW), handbook part I
25. Wildflowers-NDGW, handbook part II
26. Wildflowers-NDGW, booklet requests 1991
27. Wildflowers-NDGW, brochures
28. Wildflowers-NDGW, brochure requests
29. Wildflowers-NDGW, catalogs & seed information
30. Wildflowers-NDGW, correspondence 1990-1991
31. Wildflowers-NDGW, form letters
32. Wildflowers-NDGW, general file
33. Wildflowers-NDGW, magazine articles
34. Wildflowers-NDGW, slide program
35. Wildflowers-NDGW, meeting SEP 1990
36. Wildflowers-NDGW, meeting MAR 1992
37. Wildflowers, brochures and pamphlets
38. Wildflowers, brochures from other states 1991
39. Wildflowers, "Creating Your Own Wildflower Garden or Prairie Restoration" by ND Game & Fish Department 1989
40. Wildflowers, mail 1989
41. Wildflowers, mail JAN 1990-DEC 1992
42. Western Governors' Association, George R. Ariyoshi correspondence
43. Western Governors' Association, correspondence JUL-AUG 1990
44. Western Governors' Association, general file part I
45. Western Governors' Association, general file part II
46. Western Governors' Association, Fargo 1990
47. Western Governors' Association, South Dakota 1991

Box 7
Folder

1. "Windbreak"
2. Wines & Spirits

SERIES III - APPOINTMENT AND GUEST BOOKS

3. Appointments 1984
4. Appointments-George Sinner-DEC 1984-DEC 1985
5. Appointments 1985
6. Appointments 1986
7. Appointments 1987
8. Appointments 1988
9. Appointments 1989
10. Appointments 1990
11. Appointments 1991
12. Appointments 1992
13. Guest Book JAN 1985-DEC 1987
14. Guest Book MAR 1988-DEC 1992

SEPARATIONS RECORD

The following publications were removed from the collection and cataloged as books within the Department of Special Collections.
--The Centennial Tree Program, (State of North Dakota, 1988). 2 copies
--North Dakota Department of Transportation Roadside Research Project: Wildflower Inventory, paper by Kathleen Hoffman 26 AUG 1991.
--Trolls of District IV; Sons of Norway, compiled by Valborg Fisher (Mandan, ND: United Printing, (1980?).

The following nine audio cassette tapes were removed from the collection and added to the Audio Tape Collection:

The following two video tapes were removed from the collection and added to the Video Tape Collection:

The following 140 photographs were removed from the collection and added to the Orin G. Libby Photographic Collection in the Department of Special Collections.

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