Miller Reserve Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2013.008

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Miller Reserve Collection contains maps, financial records, correspondence, farm records, closing documents, appraisal reports, white paper description of the Miller Reserve, meeting minutes, legal papers including deeds and scholarship, Wetland Reserve Program information, contracts, conservation plans. This collection includes papers from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the University Foundation, attorney offices, and engineering services.

Dates

Creation: 1837-2018, [2004 - 2018]

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

In 2008, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Foundation obtained a 27 acre plot of land in close proximity to the Mississippi River and near the community of Commerce, Missouri. This land was named the Miller Reserve, in honor of the donor and SEMO alumni Dr. John Lawrence, his brother Dr. Addison Lawrence, and their family. The University Foundation, Biology Department faculty, and Natural Resource Conservation Service professionals developed a plan to convert the plot of land into a functioning wetland site to be utilized by SEMO students and faculty for experiential learning opportunities and research.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Miller Reserve Collection documents the donation and development of the Miller Reserve, a 27 acre plot of land donated to Southeast Missouri State University by alumni Dr. John Lawrence, his brother Dr. Addison Lawrence, and their family in 2008. The Reserve is named for Henry David and Laura Anna Miller, parents of Georgia Lee Lawrence, whose family has farmed the land since the late 1920s. The Reserve was donated to the University to be reclaimed back to wetlands. This project is a joint effort between the University, the Federal Wetland Reserve and the Missouri Department of Conservation. This collection contains land deed records, maps, photographs, correspondence and scientific and educational reports by students and researchers.

Provenance

The initial documents donated in 2013 came from Trudy Lee in University Foundation, who assisted with the legal transfer and deed of gift for the land donation. Ms. Lee also donated born-digital photographs and pdf files of research reports electronically to Special Collections and Archives in August and September 2013. It should be known that this collection will continue to grow as further research is done and the land is documented through digital photographs and research reports.