Lessley P. Gardiner Papers
Collection 293
Gardiner, Lessley P. (1901–1976). Papers, 1936–1984, n.d.
5 inches
Lessley P. Gardiner was born near Sunset, La, educated in Bristol, LA, St. Charles College (Grand Coteau, LA) and Catholic University (Washington, D. C.). He received a law degree from Loyola University (New Orleans) in 1924. He practiced law first in New Orleans and later in St. Landry Parish. He served as Louisiana Attorney General, 1939-1940 and as a state senator, 1944-1948. In 1948 he was appointed to the 27th Judicial Court and was re-elected to that position until he retired in 1972. He was active in many civic matters in St. Landry Parish including the Yambilee Festivals, the Opelousas/St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Landry Hospital. His family owned Chretian Point Plantation.
This collection reflects Gardiner’s judicial and civic activities, especially after 1949. The collection came in with the James H. Bradshaw Papers. Mrs. Bradshaw was the niece of Judge Gardiner’s second wife, Norma Summers Gardiner.
Series:
| A. | Correspondence | 1-01 |
| B. | Clippings | 1-02 through 1-04 |
| C. | Certificates | 1-05 |
| D. | Photographs | 1-06 through 1-10 |
| E. | Miscellaneous | 1-11 |
| F. | Volumes | Box 2 |
Inventory:
| 1-01 | Correspondence, 1939 - 1972, n.d. | |
| Mainly congratulations upon retirement in 1972 | ||
| 1-02 | Clippings, dated: 1947-1973 | |
| Mainly related to retirement | ||
| 1-03 | Clippings, undated | |
| Mainly related to retirement | ||
| 1-04 | Clippings: Looking Back | |
| Stories on John I. Gardiner (grandfather); C. A. Gardiner (father), and Lessley P. Gardiner | ||
| 1-05 | Certificates: 1936, 1939 | |
| 1-06 | Photographs: individual portraits (2 images) | |
| 1-07 | Photographs: Loyola Law School graduates (2 images, 1950s reunions) | |
| 1-08 | Photographs: Pilot Club Fashion Shows (4 images) | |
| 1-09 | Photographs: Yambilee events (9 images) | |
| 1-10 | Photographs: unidentified (5 images) | |
| St. Landry/Opelousas General Hospital, model | ||
| Courtroom | ||
| 1-11 | Memorial Exercises for Bench and Bar of Louisiana | |
|
1 October 1962: Marie Lyria Dickason includes letter, clippings, program, transcript |
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| 4 October 1976: program, transcript | ||
| 1-12 | Miscellaneous | |
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programs: 45th Anniversary of Class of 1924, Loyola Law School, 14 June 1969 An Evening Honoring Morgan J. Godeau, III, 4 January 1973 |
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| 1-13 | Land appraisal: 500 acres in Sec. 24, T 8 S, R 4 W 5 February 1984 | |
| Box 2 | ||
| vol. 1 | Scrapbook, 1949-1958 | |
| photographs, clippings, correspondence, programs, etc. | ||
| vol. 2 | Scrapbook, 1960-1967 | |
| vol. 3 | Appointment book, 1971 | |