Harry and Valerie Jerome Fonds MsC 151 Simon Fraser University Special Collections and Rare Books. Eden Marchand September 2012

Transcription

1 Harry and Valerie Jerome Fonds MsC 151 Simon Fraser University Special Collections and Rare Books Eden Marchand September

2 Fonds Description Title Harry and Valerie Jerome fonds Date(s) of creation , predominant Extent 55 cm of textual records and other material Biographical Sketch Harry Winston Jerome was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on September 30, 1940, and Valerie Jerome, his sister, was born in Their parents, Harry Vincent Jerome and Elsie Howard, met after the death of John Armstrong Army Howard who was Elsie s father and Harry s co-worker at the railway. In 1951, the Jerome family moved to North Vancouver, where both Harry and Valerie began their track careers. Valerie ran on the track team at Sutherland Junior High, and, a year later, Harry took up running at North Vancouver High School in After succeeding in his first track season, Harry was noticed by John Minichiello, a coach for the Vancouver Optimist Striders. Both Harry and Valerie ended up running for the Striders. While Harry excelled at many sports, his trademarks were his speed and running abilities. He was one of the best sprinters in his day, both within Canada and internationally. At age 18, Harry broke the 31-year-old Canadian record for the 220-yard sprint held by 1928 double Olympic gold medallist Percy Williams. In 1960, his athletic career became international when he equalled the world record for 100 metres by clocking in at 10.0 seconds at the Canadian Olympic Trials in Saskatoon. Harry and Valerie Jerome both qualified and ran in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. During the semi-finals at the Rome Olympics, Harry collapsed with a torn hamstring. In spite of this injury, he made his return during the indoor season in During the 1962 Pan-American Games in Perth, Australia, Harry suffered a major leg injury. He underwent surgery for the torn muscle in his left thigh in December 1962 and was unable to compete in the 1963 track season. He was told by orthopedic surgeons that he would never run again; he spent ten weeks in the hospital and months in a cast. During this time, the Harry Jerome Scholarship was created by R.C. Gibbs. In spite of the severity of his injury, Harry made his return to the sport in At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he earned a bronze medal in the 100- metre final. In 1966, at the British Commonwealth Games in Jamaica, he won the 100 metre finals, earning a gold medal. In addition, he also set a world record of 9.1 seconds over 100 yards that year and won a gold medal in the Pan-American Games in Harry competed in his third Olympics in 1968, representing Canada in Mexico City; however, he finished seventh in the Olympic final. At the end of the 1968 season, he retired, ending a career that included stints as the world s fastest man in tying the 100 yards world record of 9.3 seconds in Two years later he lowered it to 9.2 in a memorable day at Vancouver s Empire Stadium. In 1966, he 2

3 improved again upon that mark by running 9.1. During his career, he also held the world indoor mark for 60 yards and ran the anchor leg for his University of Oregon relay team that set a world mark in the yard relay. After his retirement, he was named British Columbia s Athlete of the Century. Harry Jerome married Wendy Carole Foster, of Edmonton, in July He met Wendy at the University of Oregon, and they were married at the Norwood United Church in Edmonton. Wendy graduated from the University of Alberta and took a year of post-graduate work at the University of Oregon, where she met Harry. Harry and Wendy had a daughter, Deborah Jerome. Harry completed a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. at the University of Oregon. In addition to his athletic career, Harry spent time teaching. In 1964 and 1965, he taught math and science at Richmond Secondary School. In the late 1960s, Harry set up his own track club called the Charlie Brown Track Club. In the 1970s, he taught at Templeton as a Physical Education teacher. Harry was also involved in athletic programming for youth. He worked as a recreation consultant for Sports Canada, a program that worked in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sport; during this time, Harry became involved in the Cross-Canada Sports Demonstration, a school program, which travelled from coast to coast with the theme You Can Do It. In 1971, Harry created the Premier s Sports Award Program, a program that ran in BC high schools until the early 1980s. In1971, Harry also received the Order of Canada. Harry Jerome died suddenly from a brain aneurysm on December 7, 1982, at age 42. In addition to her own track career, Valerie Jerome taught for 35 years. After Harry s death, she began the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society in The committee fundraised and created a memorial for Harry, a bronze statue, sculpted by Jack Harman, which is situated in Vancouver s Stanley Park. Harry s legacy still remains with the annual Harry Jerome International Track Classic and the Black Business and Professional Association s Harry Jerome Awards. Custodial history The records were in the custody of the creators, Harry and Valerie Jerome. When Harry died in 1982, Valerie Jerome took custody of the records held by Harry and also took custody of various records, such as newspaper clippings, photographs, audio cassettes, and videocassettes, which were given to her by friends of the late Harry Jerome. Valerie Jerome kept the records until their donation to Simon Fraser University Library, Special Collections and Rare Books in February Scope and Content The fonds consists of textual records and other media created by Harry and Valerie Jerome, which reflect the various facets of Harry Jerome s life, including academics, athletics, and community/national sports initiatives. While most of the records reflect Harry s life, the fonds also includes records that pertain to Valerie Jerome s life and her own athletic career, such as 3

4 newspaper clippings. In addition, a biographical manuscript, which is Valerie Jerome s written iteration of the story of the Jerome family and Harry s life, is included in the fonds. The fonds also includes records that were created by the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society and the Black Business and Professional Association s Harry Jerome Awards. In order to respect the multiple creators and the overall nature of the records, the fonds has been arranged into the following six series: Harry Jerome records; the Valerie Jerome records; Harry Jerome Award programs; the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society records; newspaper clippings; and photographs. The series are contained in eight boxes. Immediate Source of Acquisition The records were donated by Valerie Jerome in February Some additional biographical notes were obtained in July 2012 and additional newspaper clippings were added in September Physical Description note Includes 278 photographs, 3 videocassettes, 3 audio cassettes and 3 objects. Arrangement Records were in no discernible order when they arrived at SFU Special Collections and Rare Books. The arrangement of the fonds into series and file levels were provided by the archivist, with consultation of Valerie Jerome, in order to respect the multiple creators represented in this acquisition and the nature/context of the records themselves. Restrictions on access, use, reproduction, and publication Many of the works in this fonds, eg. newspaper clippings, written material, and photographs, are under copyright. Researchers are required to secure permission from the copyright holder(s) for uses of this material other than those covered by fair-dealing. Access to some material in this fonds has been restricted by the donor. Finding Aids File list is available. Photograph list is available, but still in process. Accruals No further accruals are expected. General Notes Additional biographical information may be found in Valerie Jerome s manuscript, under the series Valerie Jerome records. 4

5 Series Descriptions Series 1: Harry Jerome records Date(s) of creation Physical description 16.5 cm of textual records 3 photographs 3 objects Scope and content Series consists of textual records and other media, such as a baseball mitt, a canvas banner, fabric patches, and plaques, created by Harry Jerome during his life. The records pertain to his athletic, academic, and professional careers. The series includes general athletic records, incoming and outgoing correspondence, awards and certificates, and personal records. Also included in the series are two files that attest to his involvement in national athletic programming for youth: Sports Canada, including the Cross-Canada Sports Demonstration, and the Premier s Sports Award Program. The series has been arranged into nine files: academic records; general athletic records; personal records; incoming correspondence; outgoing correspondence; track and field event records; ceremony programs; Sports Canada records; and the Premier s Sports Awards records. Series 2: Valerie Jerome records Date(s) of creation 1887-[2005] Physical description 9 cm of textual records and other material Scope and content Series consists of textual records and other media, created and accumulated by Valerie Jerome. While the series was created by Valerie Jerome, the records mostly pertain to Harry s athletic career and his prominence in the media, even after his death. However, the series does contain some genealogical records about the Howard/Jerome family, and an untitled, biographical manuscript about her family and Harry s life. The series is divided into four files: incoming correspondence; Howard/Jerome family records; untitled manuscript; and posthumous records. Physical description note: Includes 3 audio cassettes, 3 videocassettes and 3 photographs 5

6 Restrictions on access, use, reproduction, and publication Access to some material within this series is restricted due to personal information and donor restrictions. Series 3: Harry Jerome Awards programs Date(s) of creation Physical description 2 cm of textual records Scope and content The series contains textual records that pertain to the Harry Jerome Awards, an annual ceremony that is arranged and presented by the Black Business and Professional Association. The series is arranged into one file, containing ceremony programs. The first ceremony was conducted in The ceremony was created by Hamlin Grange, Al Hamilton, Denham Jolly, Al Mercury and Errol Townshend, who had gathered in Toronto in November 1982 to discuss how to celebrate six Black athletes who had distinguished themselves at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. The group had planned to host a reception and decided to invite Harry Jerome as the keynote speaker; however, when Harry Jerome suddenly died in December 1982, the group decided to name the awards banquet after him. The first ceremony was held on March 5, In the first year of the ceremony, awards were only given based on athletic achievements. In 1984, the categories were expanded to include academics and arts. In addition, it was decided to honour members of the Black community who had contributed to the community. Series 4: Harry Jerome Commemorative Society records Date(s) of creation Physical description 24 cm of textual records Scope and content The series contains textual records created by the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society, which was formed by Valerie Jerome, following Harry Jerome s death. The Harry Jerome Commemorative Society was formed to achieve two main objectives: to establish a memorial tribute to Harry Jerome in recognition of his athletic achievements and contributions to society; and, to foster an appreciation of athletic accomplishment through the provision of scholarships and bursaries for athletes in BC. The Harry Jerome Commemorative Society funded the creation of a bronze statue of Harry Jerome, which can now be found in Stanley Park in Vancouver, BC, 6

7 through donations and their main fundraising event, a commemorative dinner in The series has been arranged into four files: general society records; meeting minutes; sculpture subcommittee records; and financial records. Arrangement Series reflects original order of records and original files, as created by the members of the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society, when it arrived at SFU Special Collections and Rare Books. Series 5: Photographs Date(s) of creation 1919-[2005] Physical description 272 photographs : b&w and col. Scope and content The series contains photographs, negatives, and slides created and accumulated by both Harry and Valerie Jerome. The photographs dates from 1919-[2005] and reflect the personal and professional lives of Harry, Valerie, and the Jerome family in general. Physical description note Includes 192 prints, 4 negatives and 76 slides Arrangement As the photographic materials were received in no discernible order, they have been arranged chronologically, by year. Series 6: Newspaper clippings Date(s) of creation Physical description 4 cm of textual records Scope and content Series consists of newspaper clippings, dating from The clippings pertain to the lives of Harry and Valerie Jerome, including their achievements in track and involvement in various groups and initiatives. As the clippings were accumulated by different persons, including Harry, Valerie, and friends who sent the clippings to Valerie following Harry s death, they are contained within their own series. The clippings reflect the mixed reaction that the media had towards Harry Jerome; many of the articles are critical of Harry. During the peak years of his career from , there are many articles about his various races, records, and injuries. The 7

8 clippings dating from were collected by Valerie Jerome and include posthumous articles about Harry and the creation/unveiling of the Harry Jerome statue. Arrangement The series is arranged chronologically by year. 8

9 File List BOX FILE # TITLE DATES Series 1: Harry Jerome records 1 1 Academic records Scope and content: The file contains textual records from North Vancouver High School and the University of Oregon. The records include Harry s 1959 North Vancouver High School Annual, a university term paper, a University of Oregon graduation program with Harry s signature, and his MSc. thesis, entitled A Study of the Effectiveness of Three Models of Starting Blocks and of a Series of Six Starts in a Forty Yard Sprint. There are three photographs attached to the thesis. 1 2 Personal records Scope and content: The file includes personal records created by Harry Jerome during his life. The file includes records such as a ticket stub to his high school graduation, a caricature book, two booklets on Vancouver/the Lions Gate Bridge, and a Sports Illustrated magazine. General notes: An oversized book on athletics at the University of Oregon is stored in box General athletic records [195-] Scope and content: The file contains textual records and other media pertaining to Harry s Jerome s athletic career. The records include his little league baseball mitt, a canvas banner, and miscellaneous papers. General notes: Canvas banner and baseball mitt are stored in box Awards and certificates General notes: Oversize awards and certificates, including several assorted certificates and awards, two 1964 Tokyo Olympic certificates and a wooden plaque are stored in box Incoming correspondence Outgoing correspondence Track and field event programs

10 1 8 Ceremony programs Scope and content: File contains textual records pertaining to the various events that Harry Jerome attended during his life. The records include programs from the Order of Canada ceremony, the BC Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, and Olympic Night in Canada. 2 1 Sports Canada records Scope and content: File contains textual records pertaining to Harry Jerome s role within Sports Canada, a program that worked in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Sport. The file captures two main initiatives that Harry was involved with during his time at Sports Canada: The Cross Canada Sports Demonstration Program and the Grunion Program. 2 3 Premier s Sports Award Program records 1979-[198-] Series 2: Valerie Jerome records 2 4 Incoming correspondence , Howard/Jerome family records Scope and content: File contains textual records and three photographs created and accumulated by Valerie Jerome. The records pertain to the genealogy of the Howard and Jerome families. The file mostly contains records on John Armstrong Army Howard, Harry and Valerie s grandfather. The file also contains a CCF Convention badge and photograph that belonged to Harry Jerome Sr. General notes: Oversize photograph of Harry Jerome Sr. at the CCF Convention is stored in box Untitled manuscript 2003 Scope and content: File contains an untitled manuscript created by Valerie Jerome. The manuscript is a detailed, biographical work that discusses the Howard and Jerome families. The manuscript focuses on the lives on Harry and Valerie, including their athletic careers. Restrictions: Access to this item has been restricted by the donor. Consult staff for more information. 2 8 Posthumous records 1982-[2005] 7 - Scope and content: The file contains textual records, 3 audio cassettes, and 3 videocassettes created and accumulated by Valerie Jerome, following Harry Jerome s death in The records include a funeral program, posters depicting Harry, and materials that picture Harry s commemorative statue. The audio cassettes include: Harry s interview 10

11 with Heather Murdoch from Northern Canada; a recording that discusses a lawsuit that was being carried out after a slanderous comment was made by a radio commentator, Branigan; and a recording of Bruce Kidd commenting on the harsh treatment that Harry was subjected to by the media. The 3 videocassettes include: a post-humous discussion of Harry on a talk show; Spirit of the Games; and, a promotional video on the Premier s Sports Award program. General notes: All of the audio and video cassettes are stored in box 7. Series 3: Harry Jerome Awards programs 3 1 Ceremony programs Series 4: Harry Jerome Commemorative Society records 3 2 General society records Scope and content: File contains textual records created by the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society. Records pertain to the Society s mission, mandate, and miscellaneous tasks. 3 3 Meeting minutes Sculpture Sub-committee records Scope and content: File contains textual records created by the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society. Records pertain to the creation of the memorial statue of Harry Jerome, including requests for donations, information on the artist, and newspaper clippings. 3 5 Financial records Scope and content: File contains textual records, including tax forms, receipt books, and ledgers, created by the Harry Jerome Commemorative Society. Series 5: Photographs Photographs General note: 1 oversized photograph of Harry at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica is stored in box Slides Series 6: Newspaper clippings 5 7 News clippings

12 Photograph List BOX-FILE # PHOTO # TITLE DATES Three Types of Starting Blocks Athletic Performance Analyzer Sprinter being tested NCAA 100m final Army Howard running in Winnipeg [191-] Army Howard [191-] Harry V. Jerome at the 1952 CCF 1952 Convention Michelle Mackenzie, 1984 recipient 1984 of the Harry Jerome Award Allied Grand-Prix at Longchamp Race 1917 Track, Paris Baby picture of Harry Jerome Carolyn and Harry Jerome [1943] Harry and Carolyn with Eileen Ball [1944] Harry and Carolyn with Eileen Ball [1944] Harry and Carolyn with Mrs. Ball [1944] Elsie Jerome with Carolyn, Harry, [1949] Valerie, and Barton at Sandy Beach, Manitoba Jerome Children with Santa Clause 1951 in North Vancouver 12

13 Louise Roberta, Harry s sister, with Elsie [1955] and Harry Sr. in North Vancouver Harry s Grade 8 class photo at Sutherland 1955 Junior High Harry s Grade 9 class photo at Sutherland 1956 Junior High Harry (#16) playing football Harry Jerome posing with North 1959 Vancouver High School track teammates Harry Jerome breaking a record at the [1959] Van Isle Track Meet Harry running a sprint relay at a high 1959 school track meet in Breaking Percy William s Record 1959 of Harry Jerome Breaking the Tape 1959 at the 1959 Highland Games, Brockton Point Girlfriend, Sharon Walrod North Vancouver High School Grad Graduation Dance North Vancouver High School Grad 1959 at Brock Hall Trophy won by North Vancouver High 1959 School Track Team Boys at Fort Lewis, Washington

14 Harry Jerome having a meal at the 1960 University of Oregon Cafeteria Harry standing on the podium in 1960 Saskatoon, SK Harry standing on the podium in 1960 Saskatoon, SK Harry receiving a medal on the podium 1960 in Saskatoon, SK Harry finishing a sprint relay in 1960 Saskatoon, SK Harry breaking the 100m world record 1960 in Saskatoon, SK Harry breaking the world record for the m sprint, Saskatoon, SK Harry Jerome and Mary Stewart at 1960 Vancouver City Hall Harry Jerome and Mary Stewart Harry Jerome in the Vancouver City 1960 Hall Chambers Harry Jerome with a giant track shoe, 1960 Adidas House Harry Jerome trying on giant track shoe Harry and Valerie Jerome trying on shoes Harry and Valerie Jerome with Adidas 1960 track shoes Harry on the back of a motor scooter, 1960 Rome Olympics 14

15 Harry shaking hands with German Coach, 1960 Rome Olympics Harry Jerome during an interview with the 1960 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome during an interview with the 1960 Vancouver Sun Headshot of Harry Jerome Jerome-Roberts 200m finish [1961] Jerome running for University of Oregon [1961] Harry Jerome sprinting [1961] Harry tying the world record for the 100yd 1961 dash Harry sprinting in Eugene, Oregon [1961] Harry running a relay at Hayward Field [1961] in Eugene, Oregon Race officials and Oregon track team 1962 in the background Start of Southern California Track Meet Harry Jerome running in Southern 1962 California Track Meet Harry Jerome at a track meet in 1962 Southern California Runners in a college track meet [1962] Harry running in a college track meet [1962] 15

16 Harry in second place, behind Bob Hayes Harry in Eugene with Francis Budd, [1962] Bob Hayes, and Dave Blunt Harry in Eugene, Oregon with [1962] Francis Budd, Bob Hayes and Dave Blunt The finish line at the NCAA Harry (#3) placing first in the 200m at 1962 the NCAA Harry Jerome receiving a certificate in [196-] North Vancouver Harry Jerome receiving a certificate in [196-] North Vancouver Harry Jerome [196-] Harry s leg during surgery Harry s leg during surgery Harry s leg during surgery A nurse signing Harry s cast Harry reading a magazine in the hospital Headshot of Harry Jerome [1963] Headshot of Harry Jerome [1963] Harry swimming during recovery from 1963 leg injury Harry and Deborah (daughter) Harry, Wendy and Deborah Harry at Brockton Oval

17 Harry signing autographs at the PNE Harry signing autographs at the PNE Pre-Olympic meet at Empire Stadium Harry Jerome, Roger Jackson and George 1964 Hungerford meeting Premier W.A.C. Bennett Harry in the 200m dash Harry placing first in a race Deborah cheering Harry on at the finish 1964 line Harry Jerome finishing in 9.3 seconds Harry in the 100m dash Deborah with Harry s Grandmother Harry in Tokyo Canadian athletes in Tokyo Harry Jerome and Bill Crothers with 1964 Olympic Medals, Tokyo Harry Jerome and Bill Crothers in Tokyo The stadium in Tokyo Harry Jerome at the finish line, Tokyo Richmond High School Staff Richmond High School Staff Commonwealth record 200m 1966 (20.4 sec) in Edmonton, Alberta Harry Jerome at City Hall, Gatineau

18 Harry Jerome at City Hall, Gatineau with 1966 Latulippe family Deborah Jerome in the driveway [1966] Harry and Valerie Jerome before flight National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica BC vs. Washington, Tacoma, WA Harry wins heat Harry in lane 2, Kingston, Jamaica Harry Jerome with medal from 1966 Commonwealth Games, Kingston, Jamaica Harry at Hasting Park Track with winning 1966 jockey Harry Jerome with winning jockey Harry Jerome at Our Lady of Perpetual 1967 Help School, Vancouver Harry leaving the starting blocks Harry Jerome handing out the Harry 1967 Jerome Scholarship Harry running tests for his dissertation Three different starting blocks Harry Jerome and Frank Marlatt 1968 promoting the Charlie Brown track club The Charlie Brown Track Club Nancy Greene firing the start gun Qualifying heats, Mexico City Olympics

19 Harry and two female swimmers, 1968 Mexico City Bull ring, Mexico City Bull fighting, Mexico City Sit-ups at a press event, Mexico City Harry Jerome placing 7 th, Mexico City Harry Jerome at Champagne a Gogo Mexico City heats Harry Jerome in Olympic race Harry Jerome and Nancy Greene Harry Jerome cutting a cake Harry Jerome and Nancy Greene Harry Jerome and Nancy Greene at [1968] a dinner event The breakaway, Charlie Brown Track Club Harry Jerome, John Landy, and Roger [196-] Bannister Harry Jerome, John Landy, Roger Bannister [196-] Harry Jerome and Nancy Greene Harry Jerome with Blondes Cross-Canada Sports Demonstration Harry Jerome and Cassius Clay in the 1969 Toronto Airport 19

20 Harry holding the flag at the Canada 1969 Summer Games The opening ceremony of the Summer 1969 Games Harry at the opening ceremony of the 1969 Summer Games Harry at the opening ceremony of the 1969 Summer Games Harry with Jessie Owens at the BC Sports 1971 Hall of Fame ceremony Harry and Jessie Owens Harry Jerome at an event Unidentified group at an event Harry Jerome at an event Harry Jerome with his table Harry Jerome receiving the Order of 1971 Canada Harry Jerome being inducted in the Order 1971 of Canada Harry Jerome [1971] Harry Jerome and Sports Canada Harry Jerome on the Cross Canada 1971 Sports Demonstration Harry Jerome with Cross Canada Sports 1971 Demonstration team Harry Jerome and The Action Set

21 Cross Canada Sports Demo Team and 1971 Pierre Elliot Trudeau Cross Canada Sports Demonstration Harry Jerome Speaking to kids Harry Jerome at Marietta Nuyen s 1972 apartment on route to Order of Canada Dinner with Prince Charles 21