VanHoose, Richard (1910-1998) Papers, 1950-1998

Collection held by The Filson Historical Society 

 

Creator: Richard VanHoose, 1910-1998 

Title: Papers, 1950-1998 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection: 1 cu. ft. 

Location Number: Mss. A V256 

 

Scope and Content Note  

Papers from Richard VanHoose that include brochures from most of the dedications of schools built in his 25 years as head of the Jefferson County school district and letters wishing him well in his retirement. Other items include newspaper clippings from the death of writer Jesse Stuart, a copy of dissertation by Marie T. Doyle on the merger of Jefferson County and Louisville school districts and the obituary for Richard VanHoose. 

 

Historical/Biographical Note 

Richard VanHoose was born in Anderson County, Kentucky in 1910. He was educated at Frankfort High School, Georgetown College, and received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from the University of Kentucky in 1939. He started teaching school in Frankfort before moving to Jefferson County and becoming superintendent of Anchorage Independent Schools in 1943. He became principle of Valley High School in 1946 and Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools in 1950. 

While serving as superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, VanHoose saw growth in the system from 570 teachers and 16,000 students in 1950 to 6,500 teachers and 90,000 students in 1974, the year he retired. During this time almost 100 schools were built in the county and the school system adopted many new programs, including vocational training, adult education, and programs to prevent drop outs. At the end of his time as superintendent, VanHoose worked with attempts to merge Jefferson County and Louisville School districts as well as the growing movement towards desegregation of the schools. VanHoose thought the merged systems would be too large and impersonal in nature and resisted the efforts before he retired in 1974. VanHoose died in 1998. 

 

Folder List  

Folder 1: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 2: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 3: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 4: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 5: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 6: Retirement correspondence, December 1974 – January 1975. 

Folder 7: Retirement material and Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Club history.

Folder 8: Programs for school dedications, 1950-1975, A-D. 

Folder 9: Programs for school dedications, 1950-1975, E-P. 

Folder 10: Programs for school dedications, 1950-1975, Q-Z. 

Folder 11: Newspaper clippings including VanHoose obituary. 

Folder 12: Newspaper clippings about Jesse Stuart including his obituary. 

Folder 13: Dissertation by Marie T. Doyle titled “The Public School Merger Issue in Jefferson County, Kentucky.”