FLVC logo

Hampton Dunn Collection of Florida Postcards, 1900-1985

 

Summary

Creator:
Dunn, Hampton (Henry Hampton), 1916-2002
Extent:
18.29 Linear Feet
34 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Hampton Dunn Collection of Florida postcards, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains approximately 16,100 postcards that represent Florida's culture, environment and history. Postcards depict a variety of images, such as beaches, streets, hotels and government buildings, plants, landmarks, and tourist attractions. The collection primarily consists of postcards from the first half of the twentieth century. Many have been postmarked and mailed.

Biographical / historical:

Henry Hampton Dunn and his twin sister Hazel were born in Floral City, Florida on December 14, 1916. Dunn published his first article in 1932 as a Boy Scout correspondent for the Citrus County Chronicle. During his high school years, which he completed in Tampa, he wrote sports reviews for the Tampa Tribune and Florida Times Union. He attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, University of Tampa in Florida and served as a public relations officer and war correspondent with the 12th Air Force during World War II. He left the service in November 1945 at the rank of major and with a Bronze Star.

Dunn joined the Tampa Daily Times as a full-time journalist in 1936. In 1946 he received the "Best News Story Award" from the Associated Press Association of Florida for his coverage of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings invasion of privacy trial.For two years Dunn served as a political commentator and news analyst for station WCKT-TV in Miami.  When he returned to Tampa, he joined the Peninsula Motor Club, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, as an executive officer and later vice president.

Dunn edited AAA's monthly magazine, Florida Explorer, and several other journals and newsletters including the Sunland Tribune (Tampa Historical Society) and The Hub (Rotary Club of Tampa).  His syndicated columns included "Photouring Florida" (began in 1966), "Floridana," and "Palm Tree Politics."  During his later years, he presented "Hampton Dunn's Yesterdays" – little histories of Florida events – on WTVT, Channel 13. Hampton belonged to many organizations, including the Tampa Historical Society, Florida Historical Society, and Historical Association of Southern Florida.  His talks to many historical and genealogical groups around the state earned him the affectionate title, "Mr. Florida."

Hampton and his wife Charlotte Ruth Rawls Dunn were the parents of three children.  He died February 3, 2002.

Sources:

Berube, Rich.  "Hampton Dunn Gift Brings Florida's History to Life."  Sunland Tribune  7 (November 1982): 65-67.

Camp, Paul.  Collecting Florida: The Hampton Dunn Collection and other Floridiana. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida Libraries, 2006.

Acquisition information:

Hampton Dunn

Donation

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into four series and then alphabetically by sub-series.  Postcards with a specific location, such as cities or landmarks, are placed in the Counties series. Postcards with no specific location or that span multiple counties, such as rivers, are placed in the Topical series. Digitized postcards are placed in plastic sleeves in their respective boxes.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Terms of access:

None.  The contents of the collection may be subject to copyright.  Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for more information.

Preferred citation:

Hampton Dunn Collection of Florida postcards, USF Libraries - Tampa Special Collections, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

Location of this collection:
The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus
4202 East Fowler Ave. LIB122
Tampa
FL
33620-5400
USA