Collections

Motion picture films documenting the productions of Beckley Films, Inc of Bradenton, Florida.

This collection relates to the Utah Beehive Chapter of the Merchant Marine veterans' organization who served during World War II. The collection contains various documents and photographs related to veterans of this chapter.

Addresses delivered by former Florida Circuit Judge Ben C. Willis and an article written by Willis for the Florida Heritage Foundation News and Views. These materials are useful to researchers studying Tallahassee life during the 1930s. According to Lee Willis, these addresses were probably given at the Exchange Club in Tallahassee, which met at the Cherokee Hotel until it closed.

This collection relates to U.S. Navy Lieutenant Benjamin T. Leland who served as a fighter pilot on the U.S.S. Wasp with VF-86 Squadron during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations and remained in the U.S. Navy Reserves until retiring in 1964. He was recalled to active duty as a pilot during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 and served with Squadron VF-831 on the U.S.S. Antietam. This collection includes Leland's oral history interview transcript, memoirs, artifacts, flight equipment, documents, Leland's U.S. Navy Flight Jacket, and photographs.

Personal papers, 1969-1988, including correspodence, committee files, and papers related to his teaching and to the activities of his department and college. Subject files include the Business College Council, the Department of Finance and Accounting, and the Northwest Florida Blood Bank.

Personal and professional papers, 1983-1993, of Judith A. Bense, including research materials on organizations, and related materials.

The Bernard Diederich Collection includes both papers and media. Diederich's papers constitute over 130 boxes (143 linear feet); they include Diederich's telegraphs and telexes, his reporter's notepads, and his interview notes, as well as historical documents, such as Central American and Caribbean newspapers and political posters and booklets. The papers also include his private correspondence, which reveals the many challenges encountered by journalists who work in Latin America and the Caribbean. The media collection contains over 20,000 slides and photos that document Diederich's travels. It also includes videotapes and audio cassettes with Diederich's many interviews with Central American and Caribbean leaders.