James Calmar Wilson, 1900-1995 [RG1526.AM]

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1526.AM: James Calmar Wilson, 1900-1995

Papers: 1931-1990; bulk 1977-1990
Stromsburg and Polk, Polk County, Neb.: Author, Composer, Agriculturalist
Size: 0.25 cu.ft.; 1 box

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Born at Stromsburg, Nebraska, on October 8, 1900, James Calmar Wilson graduated from Stromsburg High School and the University of Nebraska. In 1927-1928, Wilson and his friend, Francis Flood, took a motorcycle trip across Africa, as well as Burma, India and Thailand. In 1928 Wilson married Alice Olmsted. In the 1930s, he taught English at Iowa State University, where he wrote, “The Bells of Iowa State.” Iowa State named him an honorary alumnus in 1983.

After World War II, Wilson taught at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins. In 1954, he and Alice moved to a farm near Polk, Nebraska, where they would spend the rest of their lives. Wilson pioneered the use of native tall-grass prairie grass for pasture, erosion control and prairie restoration. Wilson authored several books and journal articles and was an accomplished musician.

James Calmar Wilson died on January 31, 1995. He is buried next to his wife in Stromsburg Cemetery.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of one box of writings by James Calmar Wilson. The bulk of the materials consist of plays and musical compositions. Also included are newspaper and journal articles. The materials date from ca. 1931 to 1990.

See the library catalog for additional publications by James Calmar Wilson.

INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder

1. Hey! Where’s Nebraska? A musical in three acts. Script, 1989
2. Hey! Where’s Nebraska? A musical in three acts. Conductor’s score, 1989
3. Say It With Music, Nebraska! Script and musical score, 1990
4. A State is Born. A historical play with music
5. A Town is Born. A three act play by Jim Wilson for the Polk 75th Anniversary Celebration
6. Misc. other writings, ca. 1931-1977 (see also oversize)

Subject headings:

Authors
Composers
Musicals
Musicians
Polk (Neb.)
Polk County (Neb.)
Stromsburg (Neb.)
Wilson, James Calmar, 1900-1995

Acc. 1991.0360

PJE                    05-28-1991
Revised TMM    04-04-2025