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Howard Ruffner papers and photographs
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Special Collections and Archives
Howard Ruffner papers and photographs
The Special Collections & Archives reading room is closed, and all in-person (physical, face-to-face) services are suspended at this time. We are here to help! Please contact us to discuss how we can best serve you during this time.
Special Collections and Archives
Howard Ruffner papers and photographs
Finding Aid for the Howard Ruffner papers and photographs
May 4 Collection - Boxes 190 and 190A
Prepared by Dyani Scheuerman, June 4, 2003; Updated May 2017; Updated February 2020
Inclusive Dates: 1970-71
Extent: 1.5 cubic feet (1 half-size record storage box, 1 record storage box)
Physical Location: 12th floor
Biographical Note: In 1970, Howard Ruffner was a second year student at Kent State University, majoring in broadcast communications. Prior to attending the University, he had spent four years in the Air Force, where he learned photography. Ruffner was on the staff of the Daily Kent Stater and the Chestnut Burr, editing the yearbook in 1971. He agreed to provide photographs for Life Magazine of the events on and surrounding May 4, 1970. One of his photographs became the cover of the May 15, 1970 issue of Life. Of the students who suffered that day, Ruffner stated, "I saw their faces and I could feel their pain, and I took their pictures so that no one would ever forget what happened at Kent State and the trauma that it caused for our nation." A number of his photographs ended up being used in the various legal proceedings dealing with the May 4 shootings. Ruffner is currently a freelance photographer in Phoenix, Arizona.
Scope and Content: This collection primarily includes photographs that appeared in the 1971 Chestnut Burr. Predominantly they involve the events surrounding May 4, 1970 (on and leading up to the date and also its aftermath), but several other subjects are represented as well. These photographs were taken by a number of different photographers, including Ruffner. Also included are various items related to Ruffner's involvement in photojournalism and the protest movement. Captions for photos have been supplied by Special Collections and Archives staff. Page numbers referring to placement in the 1971 Chestnut Burr are noted.
Arrangement: Photographs are arranged in the order in which they appear in the 1971 Chestnut Burr yearbook. Correspondence is arranged chronologically. Publications and other materials are arranged alphabetically by title or type of material.
Restrictions on Access: Some information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This information has been redacted where present on documents in the collection. Un-redacted originals, in all cases, have been retained by Special Collections and Archives.
Restrictions on Use: The photographs in this collection are not owned by Kent State University. Copyright is held by individual photographers and media organizations listed in the credits on page 392 of the 1971 Chestnut Burr. The photographs are available for research purposes only.
Other Form Available: A digital viewing copy of the 1971 Chestnut Burr yearbook is available online.
May 4 Collection - Box 190
Folder -- Contents
Photographs from 1971 Chestnut Burr
- Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine) - Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine) - Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 14, 1971
Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine) - Women at Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 16, circa 1971
Author: Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine) - Tennis Player, Chestnut Burr, page 20, circa 1971
Author: unidentified - Tennis Player, Chestnut Burr, page 21, circa 1971
Author: unidentified - Track and Field, Chestnut Burr, pages 24-25, circa 1971
Author: Likely Jim Peck
Scope and Content: Contains 11 photographs. - Track and Field, Chestnut Burr, pages 26-27, circa 1971
Author: Likely Howard Ruffner
Scope and Content: Contains 13 photographs. - Long Jumper, Chestnut Burr, page 26, circa 1971
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Long Jumper, Chestnut Burr, page 26, circa 1971
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Runner, Chestnut Burr, page 27, circa 1971
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Victory Bell, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Speaker at Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Speaker at Rally on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 32, May 1, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - ROTC Building Fire, Chestnut Burr, page 34, May 2, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 34, May 1970
Author: Likely Greg Hoey - Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
Author: Likely Greg Hoey - Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
Author: Tolliver, Lafayette - Burned ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 35, May 1970
Author: Tolliver, Lafayette - ROTC building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Likely Greg Hoey - National Guardsmen by Burned ROTC building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Tolliver, Lafayette - Damaged Campus Day Sign, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - National Guardsmen by Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Likely Tom McGrew - National Guardsmen Surrounding ROTC Building, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - National Guardsmen by Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 36, May 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Governor Rhodes at Kent State, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 3, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Governor Rhodes at Kent State, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 3, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsmen on Campus, Chestnut Burr, page 37, May 1970
Author: Likely William Armstrong - National Guardsmen and Students, Chestnut Burr, pages 38-39, May 1970
Author: Likely Greg Hoey - Students Talk to National Guardsmen, Chestnut Burr, page 38, May 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsmen Talk to Students, Chestnut Burr, page 38, May 1970
Author: Likely Tom McGrew - Woman and National Guardsman, Chestnut Burr, page 39, May 1970
Author: Likely Tom McGrew - Silhouette of National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 39, May 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsman and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 40, May 1970
Author: unidentified
Scope and Content: Includes two photographs. One of the photographs does not appear in the Chestnut Burr, but appears to have been considered for page 40 of the publication. - Law Enforcement Officer with Gun, Chestnut Burr, page 41, May 1970
Author: Likely Tom McGrew - National Guardsmen in Military Vehicle, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guard Personnel in Gas Masks, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - Protesters, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
Author: McGuire, William - National Guardsmen, Chestnut Burr, pages 42-43, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Protesters, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guardsmen in Gas Masks, Chestnut Burr, page 42, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guardsmen with Rifles, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Reporters on Campus, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guardsmen and Students on the Commons, Chestnut Burr, page 43, May 4, 1970
Author: Davis, Jack - National Guardsmen in Vehicle and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 45, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsmen and Tear Gas, Chestnut Burr, page 48, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Canfora, Alan Waves Flag, Chestnut Burr, page 48, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - National Guardsmen Advancing Up Hill, Chestnut Burr, page 49, May 4, 1970
Author: McGuire, William - Students Running and Throwing an Object, Chestnut Burr, pages 48-49, May 4, 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - National Guardsmen Advancing, Chestnut Burr, page 49, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - National Guardsmen Near the Pagoda, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - National Guardsmen at the Taylor Hall Balcony, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard
Scope and Content: Includes two copies of the photograph. - Students Running for Cover, Chestnut Burr, page 50, May 4, 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - Vecchio, Mary Ann Crying above Jeffrey Miller, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - Frank, Glenn and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - Miller, Jeffrey in Pool of Blood, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - National Guardsmen around Slain Student, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Filo, John - Student Jumping in Pool of Blood, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Moore, Doug - Cleary, John, Receiving First Aid, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Circle of Students Surrounds Injured Student, Chestnut Burr, page 51, May 4, 1970
Author: McNees, Ronald P. - Shattered Car Windows, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
Author: Likely John Filo - Injured Person on Stretcher, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsmen in Formation, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
Author: likely John Filo - Faculty Speak into Megaphones, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
Author: likely John Filo - National Guardsmen and Highway Patrol, Chestnut Burr, page 52, May 4, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - National Guardsmen and Students, Chestnut Burr, page 53, May 4, 1970
Author: Unidentified - Students and Law Enforcement Officers, Chestnut Burr, page 53, May 4, 1970
Author: Unidentified - Lewis, Jerry M., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Canterbury, Robert H., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Court Stenographers, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Del Corso, Sylvester T., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Warren, George V., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 56, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Satrom, Leroy, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Scranton, William, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Alewitz, Meyer, Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Ortique, Revius, Jr., Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Scranton Commission, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Likely Howard Ruffner - Scranton Commission Audience, Chestnut Burr, page 57, August 1970
Author: Likely Joann Schulte - Lewis, Jerry M., Chestnut Burr, page 58, October 1970
Author: Likely Ronald P. McNees - Student at Festival of Life, Chestnut Burr, page 62, October 1970
Author: Likely Howard Ruffner - Student in Line to Purchase Food, Chestnut Burr, page 80, circa 1971
Author: unidentified - Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Registration Computers, Chestnut Burr, page 87, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Monkey in Psychology Research Lab, Chestnut Burr, page 97, circa 1971
Author: Likely Jim Hudak - Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come, Chestnut Burr, page 113, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come, Chestnut Burr, page 113, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Vicchy, Frank, Swimming Coach, Chestnut Burr, page 127, circa 1971
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 131, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnasts, Chestnut Burr, page 131, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnasts, Chestnut Burr, page 134, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 134, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 135, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Gymnast, Chestnut Burr, page 135, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Fencer, Chestnut Burr, page 136, 1970
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Blue Key Club, Chestnut Burr, page 245, circa 1971
Author: Likely William McGuire - Campus Scene, Chestnut Burr, page 370, circa 1969
Author: Ruffner, Howard - Ruffner, Howard, Chestnut Burr, page 386, 1969-1970
Author: Likely Jim Peck - Ruffner, Marguerite (Heine), Chestnut Burr, page 391, circa 1971
Author: Likely Howard Ruffner
Correspondence
- May 2, 1975. Long, Phil. Kent, Ohio. To Howard. Thanks Ruffner for use of photograph.
- October 14, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Benjamin Civiletti. Requests that the documents regarding the burning of the ROTC building be released.
- October 17, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Ruffner's desire to obtain copies of FBI files on himself.
- January 28, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Bill Ferster's plan for a short film about Kent State.
- January 31, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Bill Ferster. Gives permission for the use of several photographs in a film.
- January 31, 1978. Thomas, Charles. To Andrea Biren. Discusses technical details about weapons which he believes dispute prior claims made by Guardsmen.
- February 3, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Discusses photographs of Ruffner's which he feel dispute prior claims made by Guardsmen, evidence from trial that went missing, Michener book.
- February 14, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Encloses said photographs.
- February 21, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Response in agreement with Ruffner's letter.
- March 30, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Washington, D.C. To Alan Freeman. Attempting to locate some of Ruffner's photographs which he feels belong in the National Archives.
- April 10, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Lists Ruffner's photographs included in National Archives. Notes discrepancy in the amount of photographs different sources claim there are.
- December 1, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Gives permission to use photographs in Gallery magazine.
- February 28, 1979. Silber, Glenn. Madison. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding film documentary on the antiwar movement.
- May 2, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Requesting photographs for Cover-Up at Kent State.; June 17, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Inquiring as to whether Ruffner received last letter.; June 22, 1979. Munves, James. New York. To Howard Ruffner. Includes photocopies of photographs he desires.
- Undated. Charlie [Charles Thomas]. To Howard. Includes newsclip which discusses photographs of unknown origin which have just been released, and may be related to an attempted cover-up.
May 4 Collection - Box 190A
Folder -- Contents
Publications, papers, and documents
- American Report, November 12, 1971
- "An Appeal for Justice." June 21, 1971.
- Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 1.
- Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 2.
- Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 3.
- Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 4.
- Contemporary, May 6, 1990.
- Copyright registration form for Chestnut Burr
- Criminal trial interview of Ruffner. November 7, 1974.
- Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. October 21, 1974.
- Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. October 21, 1974.
- FBI file on Ruffner.
- For the Record, June 11, 1990
- Gallery, April 1979
- High School Press Institute Review, August 21, 1970
- Interview between Howard Ruffner and [Jeffrey] Zink. June 30, 1970.
- Kent, June 1970
- "Kent - Aftermath." by Jerry M. Lewis
- "Kent State: Murder and Coverup." Charles Thomas (includes note from "Charlie"). June 9, 1978.
- KSU Position Paper. Statement of Policy. October 14, 1970.
- KSU Position Paper. Presidential Policy on Examination of Issues. October, 1970.
- Life, May 15, 1970
- "May 4, 1970 - Date Nation Won't Forget"
- Newsclip: "KSU Photo Featured in Exhibit," Record Courier, September 18, 1970.
- Newsclip: "Kent State and Watergate," World, June 5, 1973
- Newsclip: "The Other Kent State Photographer: Howard E. Ruffner," Plain Dealer Magazine, April 29, 1979
- Newsclip: Photograph of Ruffner
- Newsweek, May 18, 1970
- "Not a Great Deal of Error ... ?" by Carl M. Moore and D. Ray Heisey. Criticism of Kent State: What Happened and Why by James Michener.
- Official Kent State University Bulletin, June 10, 1970
- "On the Slain Collegians" by Herman Melville
- Paper recommending emergency communication systems
- Politics and Education, V.1.1.
- The Post-American, Spring 1972
- Reader's Digest Guidelines, March 1971
- Report and recommendations to University Commission to Implement a Commitment to Nonviolence
- "Reporting the Kent State Incident"
- Restatement of University policy, October 19, 1970.
- Rough draft script for Unnecessary, Unwarranted, and Inexcusable by Alva I. Cox, Jr.
- Scranton Commission interview of Ruffner.
- State Grand Jury interview of Ruffner.
- Statement of Charles Thomas, National Archives, on possible coverup. December 18, 1978.
- Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on September 23, 1970
- Subpoena for Ruffern's court appearance on October 22, 1974
- Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on December 19, 1978
- Time, May 18, 1970
- Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 19, 1978.
- Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 19, 1978.
- Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 20, 1978.
- Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 20, 1978.
Miscellaneous items
- Armband
- Camera lens belonging to Ruffner, used by John Filo on May 4, 1970.
- Catalog for Farrar Straus Giroux, Fall-Winter 1972-1973. Includes The Murders at Kent State by Peter Davies.
- Certificate of excellence from "Cover '71" art exhibit, October 26, 1971.
- Fliers for "Kent State: A Wake," Occidental College presentation.
- Flyer for "Bearking Witness," an art exhibit featuring Ruffner.
- Flyer for "To Heal Kent State" by Kim Sorvig
- Flyer for Kent State: May 4, 1970
- Invitation to 1971 Publications Banquet.
- Invitation to "Cover '71" art exhibit. October 26, 1971.
- Invitation to "Artists for Justice," May 19, 1974.
- List of film production companies
- Map of campus including area of protests
- Map of campus showing where students were wounded
- Maps showing Ruffner's position upon taking photographs
- Poster for Moratorium
Physical Location: This item is filed in the map case. - Press pass.
- Press release, postcard, and seed packet for "Simple Gestures: A Commemorative Installation" by Eve Birch
- Protest buttons
- Raw audio recording of 1971 Chestnut Burr record insert
- Reprints of Ruffner's photographs torn from book
