Dr. Hector Lee (1908-1992) came from Chico State University to SSU 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. 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. 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 the Special Collections enclosure.

6 boxes

The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary property.

Collection is open for research by appointment.