Background
Dr. Hector Lee (1908-1992) came from Chico State University to Sonoma State University at its inception. He was a nationally known authority on western folklore and a true teller of tall tales. The Lee papers document Dr. Lee’s involvement with the folklore community at large and his activities in recording the folklore of Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake counties.
Collection
The collection of six boxes documents Dr. Lee's involvement with the folklore community at large and his activities in recording the folklore of Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake counties. Actual folktales are contained in the transcripts from Lee's radio show Tales of the Redwood Empire and in the essays of W.C. Shipley. The collection also includes offprints and reprints of scholarly articles on subjects related to folklore and cultural studies. Researchers especially interested in Dr. Lee’s work in recording folktales might also want to consult the California Folklore Miscellany, a bound collection of folktales collected by Dr. Lee’s students which is housed in Special Collections.
Access
The research material in the collection is available to view by appointment.
