Myrta Fair Craig Collection
Collection 456
Craig, Myrta Fair (1908–1994). Collection, 1945–2014, n.d.
5 ½ feet
Myrta Fair was born on February 27, 1908 in Raywood, Texas. She was the daughter of Robert Hall Bradbury and Laura Turner. Married to Hugh Craig, Myrta Fair Craig lived most of her life in Rayne, Louisiana as the editor and publisher of the Rayne Acadian-Tribune. She began her writing career by doing a column of “Personals” for the paper before becoming editor and at one point handling advertising.
During World War II, Mrs. Craig and the Tribune crew rendered a special service during the war when some 1300 Rayne area service members received free hometown papers. During the first quarter century of publishing the Rayne newspaper, the Craigs established two other southwest Louisiana newspapers, the Church Point New and the Welch Citizen.
This collection includes numerous articles written by Mrs. Craig, as well as articles about her numerous civic engagements. Also included are newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, and personal documents related to the life and work of Myrta Fair Craig. In addition to running a local newspaper, Mrs. Craig was responsible for the creation of the Rayne Frog Festival and had served as the festival’s grand marshal. The collection makes clear her important role in the history of Rayne and its surrounding towns during the 20th century with numerous trophies, letters, and mementos from organizations and people thanking Mrs. Craig for her work. Photographs and documents related to the extended Craig family, as well as other prominent Rayne citizens, can also be found in the collection.
Myrta Fair Craig King, daughter of Mrs. Craig, donated this collection.
Series:
| A. | Correspondence | 1-01 |
| B. | Personal | 1-02 through 1-06 |
| C. | Newspapers | 1-07 through 2-05 |
| D. | Photographs | 2-06 through 3-01 |
| E. | Government Proclamations | 3-02 |
| F. | Miscellaneous | 3-03 |
| G. | Publications | 3-04 through 3-05; four books |
| H. | Trophies and Plaques | Box 4 through 6 |
| I. | Other | Box 7 |
| J. | Newspaper | Map Case 10-09 |
Inventory:
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Box 1 |
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A. Correspondence |
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1-01 |
Letters to Myrta Fair Craig, 1973-1990, no date |
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B. Personal |
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1-02 |
Writings by Myrta Fair Craig, 1954, no date |
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1-03 |
Writings about Myrta Fair Craig, 1964-1982, no date |
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1-04 |
Documents related to Myrta Fair Craig’s 80th birthday, 1988 |
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1-05 |
Documents related to Myrta Fair Craig’s death, 1994 |
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1-06 |
Sympathy Cards, 1994 |
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C. Newspapers |
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1-07 |
Newspaper clippings written by Myrta Fair Craig, 1970-1990s |
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1-08 |
Newspaper clippings written by Myrta Fair Craig, 1970s-1990s |
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1-09 |
Newspaper clippings about Myrta Fair Craig, 1970s-1990s |
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1-10 |
Newspaper clippings about Myrta Fair Craig, 1970s-1990s |
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1-11 |
Newspaper clippings about Myrta Fair Craig, 1970s-1990s |
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Box 2 |
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2-01 |
Newspaper clippings about Myrta Fair Craig, 1970s-1990s |
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2-02 |
Acadiana Life - 1993 |
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2-03 |
Newspaper clippings about Rayne Frog Festival, 1970s-1990s, 2014 |
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2-04 |
Select Issues of the Rayne Acadiana Tribune - 1971-2002 |
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2-05 |
Newspapers - Miscellaneous subjects, 1970s-1990s |
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D. Photographs |
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2-06 |
Craig Family Photographs, mostly identified |
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Box 3 |
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3-01 |
Craig Family Photographs, mostly identified |
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E. Government Proclamations |
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3-02 |
Proclamations: “Happy Fats” Leblanc Day” in Rayne, LA. November 9, 1979 (photocopy) |
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F. Miscellaneous |
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3-03 |
Miscellaneous: Sketches (photocopy) of Rayne Frog Festivals; Pelican State Sportsman, December 1954; “A Long Trail to Christ, or How the Koasati Indians Were First Evangelized”, no author; “Save it for a “Rayne”-y Day”. Morning Advocate, Peggy Day, Journalism 3002, 8 May 1981 |
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G. Publications |
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3-04 |
1945 Acadia Parish Louisiana Honor Roll: A brief history of the men and women of Acadia Parish serving in the armed forces…at home and abroad in World War II |
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3-05 |
1945 Acadia Parish Louisiana Honor Roll: A brief history of the men and women of Acadia Parish serving in the armed forces…at home and abroad in World War II (Autographed Books) |
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Books. Autograph copies |
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1. |
Tears, Love, and Laughter: The Story of the Acadians by: Pierre V. Daigle (1972) |
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2. |
South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous by: John Broven (1983) |
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3. |
Every Man A King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long (1933) |
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4. |
Tinonc: Son of the Cajun Teche by: Robert L. Olivier (1974) |
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Box 4 |
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H. Trophies and Plaques |
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1. |
Mrs. Myrta Fair Craig, Rayne Acadiana Tribune: In Appreciation For Your Time And Effort So Generously Given, Acadian Council 1897 K of C Merlin Besse Grand Knight 1977-78 |
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2. |
Acadia COA, Older Worker Week, March 14, 1991 |
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3. |
In Appreciation, Indian Bayou Hi School FBLA |
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4. |
Outstanding News Coverage and Service to Armstrong Elementary School, May 24, 1979 Myrta Fair Craig |
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5. |
American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of Louisiana, Certificate of Merit to Myrta Fair Craig 1981-1982 |
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6. |
The American Legion, Citation of Appreciation to Myrta Fair Craig |
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7. |
The American Legion, Citation for Meritorious Service to Myrta F. Craig, Jim Wing, Dept. Commander November 2, 1982, Evangeline Downs Ils Sont Partis |
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8. |
Myrta Fair Craig, Director 1987-88 |
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9. |
Louisiana Press Association, 50 year club, Membership Myrta Fair Craig, March 30, 1990 |
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10. |
American Business Women’s Association, Cajun Hospitality Charter 1987-88 |
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11. |
Business Associate of the Year, May 16, 1987, Myrta Fair Craig |
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12. |
To Myrta Fair Craig, February 1984, With Love, Clarence & Helen Arsement |
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Box 5 |
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1. |
Presented to Myrta Fair Craig, 1983 Outstanding Community Woman of the Year, Crowley B. & P. W. Club 3-22-83 |
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2. |
Myrta Fair Craig |
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3. |
In Appreciation For The Endless Years of Service and Friendship You Gave To The Mowata Recreation Department, 1981 |
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4. |
Certificate of Membership/Honorary Lifetime Membership, The Young Men’s Business Club of Rayne. Mrs. Myrta Fair Craig, April 25, 1967 |
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5. |
Veterans of Foreign Wars to Myrta Fair Craig, Thank You For All Your Help In Publicizing the Events of Harold David Jr. V.F.W. Post 7195. And Ladies Auxiliary 1984 |
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6. |
American Legion Unit 77, Myrta Fair Craig, Honorary Member, Louisiana Honorary Recruiter; In Appreciation Mrs. Myrta Fair Craig. For Support of the Louisiana National Guard |
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Box 6 |
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1. |
Myrta Fair Craig, Life Member, Mire Vol. Fire Department, 1980. Duson Vol. Fire Dept. |
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2. |
Myrta Fair Craig, Rayne Acadian Tribune |
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3. |
In Appreciation of Outstanding News Coverage of the Rt. Rev. MSGR, George Mollo General Assembly. 1976-77 Scott O. Sibley, F.N. |
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4. |
Older Worker of the Year - Acadia Parish, Myrta Fair Craig. Rayne Acadian-Tribune, March 1991, Buddy Roemer, Governor |
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5. |
Myrta Fair Craig - Boss of the Year, Rayne High GCE Club 1977-78 |
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6. |
Myrta Fair Craig, Rayne Historical and Cultural Assn, INC, Charter Board Member 1991-1992; 1992/1993. Special Thanks |
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7. |
Myrta Fair Craig. “In Deep Appreciation For Your Interest and Efforts In Promoting The Ideals Of Girl Scouting”. February 24, 1973, Troops 128, 147, 263, 112 |
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8. |
In Appreciation, Grand Marshall Myrta Fair Craig, Duson Cajun Christmas Parade 1987 |
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9. |
This Plaque Is To Certify That Myrta Fair Craig is an Honorary Member, of the Cajun Frog C.B. Club. Rayne, Louisiana, 1977 |
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10. |
Rayne Acadian Tribune, Myrta Fair Craig. Rayne Jaycee Jaynes. 1980-81 |
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11. |
Proclamation - Myrta Fair Craig Day, City of Crowley, Louisiana, March 21, 1983, Robert L. Istre, Mayor |
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12. |
Board of Directors of Acadia, St. Landry Guest House, Inc., Myrta Fair Craig, April 13, 1978 |
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13. |
Church Point Industrial Inducement Committee, Certificate of Appreciation presented to Myrta Fair Craig. May 20, 1974 |
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14. |
The Friend of 4-H Award is Presented to Myrta Fair Craig by the LSU Cooperative Extension Service, June 1, 1981 |
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15. |
Honorary Citizen of Jefferson Country, Texas, Mrs. Myrta Fair Craig |
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16. |
Crowley Business and Professional Women’s Club, Crowley, Louisiana March 12, 1983. Myrta Fair Craig. 1983 “Community Woman of the Year” |
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17. |
Certificate of Appreciation, Mrs. Craig and the Rayne Acadian Tribune Staff, From Janet Habetz 1986-87. Miss Rayne |
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18. |
To Myrta Fair Craig, Honorary Member of Jerry’s Kids Club, 1985 |
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Box 7 |
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I. Other |
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1. |
Oversize Card to Myrta Fair Craig |
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2. |
Poster for the Myrta Fair B. Craig Memorial Scholarship |
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3. |
Photo Album of Craig Family |
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4. |
Scrapbook of Newspaper Clippings |
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5. |
Rayne Acadian-Tribune 100th Anniversary Edition October 20, 1994 (2) |
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6. |
Rayne Acadian-Tribune Centenary United Methodist Church Centennial Edition June 21, 1984 |
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7. |
Rayne Frog Festival Poster |
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8. |
First Frog Festival Souvenir Edition from the Rayne Acadian-Tribune September, 1973 |
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9. |
“Wanted Poster” for Myrta Fair Craig |
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10. |
Oversize Birthday Card for Myrta Fair Craig |
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11. |
Proclamation for Myrta Fair Craig |
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Map Case 10-09 |
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J. Newspaper |
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Newspaper article by Myrta Far Craig “Requiem for the Confederacy”, Sunday Advocate, Baton Rouge, March 18, 1962 |
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