Collection 27 - Park Poultry Producers Association Records, 1923-1941
Creator: Park Poultry Producers Association
Provenance Note: The Park Poultry Producers Association collection was donated by Mrs. Wesley D'Ewart of Wilsall, Montana, circa 1964.
Historical Note: The Park Poultry Producers Association was a turkey growers association in Park County from 1923-1940. The Association was formed in 1923 to develop and carry on a county program of work for the development of the poultry industry. The Association had the goal of putting on a poultry show to educate what constitutes good poultry and to promote the better sale of live poultry through cooperative selling. Earl Sexton became manager of the PPPA in 1931 and was replaced in 1937 by John Nickelson . Most of the correspondence is addressed to Nickelson. The reason for the disappearance of the PPPA after December of 1941 is unknown.
Content Description Note: The Park Poultry Producers Association (PPPA) records include various business records including financial records, order sheets, sales records, producer contracts and correspondence from 1923-1940. Most of the correspondence are addressed to either Earl Sexton or John Nickelson, two PPPA managers during the 1930s. The records also include correspondence from the United States Department of Agriculture through pamphlets and letters giving instructions on how to kill, dress, and ship turkeys. Extensive sales lists are included for the Northwest Turkey Growers Association from 1930-1937. The records include the PPPA's Minute Book from 1923-1924, written in a Park County grade school notebook, that lists the Articles of Association, membership lists, and lists for grades of turkeys. Three unique items are a letter written in 1940 from a customer demanding to know what happened to the settlement for his turkeys, several copies of a poem and song about turkeys, and a brass plate that reads: "Park Poultry Producers Association, Livingston, Mont." Other papers include John Nickelson's inspectors's license from the USDA for dressed turkeys, a diagram for a turkey packing table, and an Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws booklet. The collection has been arranged in topically labeled folders.
