Special Collections and Archives

Howard Ruffner papers and photographs

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Special Collections and Archives

Howard Ruffner papers and photographs

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Important Notice: Due to a grant-sponsored project to digitize materials from the May 4 Collection, in-person use of the May 4 Collection is available by appointment only. Please help us serve you better by contacting us in advance to schedule an appointment for access to this collection.

Howard Ruffner papers and photographs

May 4 Collection - Boxes 190 and 190A

Finding Aid

Prepared by Dyani Scheuerman, June 4, 2003; Updated May 2017

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.

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

  1. Alewitz, Meyer, Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  2. Blue Key Club. p. 245.
  3. Burned ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 35.
  4. Burned ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 34-35.
  5. Burned ROTC building, May 2, 1970. p. 34.
  6. Burning ROTC building, May 2, 1970. p. 34.
  7. Burning ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 36
  8. Campus. p. 370
  9. Canterbury, Robert H., Scranton Commission. p. 56.
  10. Car windows shattered by bullets. John Filo. p. 52
  11. Circle of students with linked hands surrounding injured person, May 4, 1970. p. 51.
  12. Computer. p. 87.
  13. Computer. p. 87.
  14. Computer. p. 87.
  15. Computer. p. 87.
  16. Computers. p. 87
  17. Court audience, Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  18. Court stenographers, Scranton Commission. p. 56.
  19. Courtroom scene, Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  20. Courtroom scene, Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  21. Damaged sign for Campus Day, National Guard vehicles in distance, May 3, 1970. p. 36.
  22. DelCorso, Sylvester T., Scranton Commission. p. 56.
  23. Faculty and police, May 3, 1970. p. 37.
  24. Faculty being interviewed near pile of guns, May 3, 1970. p. 38.
  25. Female gymnast. p. 131.
  26. Female gymnast. p. 135
  27. Guardsman, May 4, 1970. p. 40.
  28. Guardsmen, May 3, 1970. p. 36-37
  29. Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 42-43.
  30. Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 43
  31. Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 50
  32. Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 53.
  33. Guardsmen advancing, May 4, 1970. p. 49.
  34. Guardsmen advancing up hill, May 4, 1970. p. 49.
  35. Guardsmen and police, May 4, 1970. p. 52.
  36. Guardsmen and students, May 4, 1970. p. 43.
  37. Guardsmen and tear gas, May 4, 1970. p. 48.
  38. Guardsmen by military vehicle, May 3, 1970. p. 36.
  39. Guardsmen by military vehicle, May 3, 1970. p. 36.
  40. Guardsmen in formation, May 4, 1970. p. 52.
  41. Guardsmen in military vehicle, May 4, 1970. p. 42.
  42. Guardsmen lined in front of burned ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 36.
  43. Guardsmen surrounding slain student, May 4, 1970. p. 51.
  44. Guardsmen walking by burned ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 36
  45. Guardsmen with gas masks, May 4, 1970. p. 42-43.
  46. Guardsmen with guns, May 4, 1970. p. 43.
  47. Gymnast. p. 134.
  48. Gymnasts. p. 134
  49. Injured student being given first aid, May 4, 1970. p. 50-51
  50. Instructor. p. 14.
  51. Instructor. p. 14.
  52. Instructor and student. p. 14.
  53. Lewis, Jerry M., Scranton Commission. p. 56.
  54. Line of Guardsmen, speakers, May 4, 1970. p. 52.
  55. Male fencer. p. 136-137.
  56. Male gymnast. p. 131
  57. Male gymnast. p. 135
  58. Male long jumper. p. 26.
  59. Male long jumper. p. 26.
  60. Male runner. p. 27.
  61. Male runners. p. 24-27.
  62. Male tennis player. p. 20.
  63. Male tennis player. p. 21.
  64. Men in relay race. p. 24-25.
  65. Miller, Jeffrey in pool of blood. p. 51.
  66. Monkey in psychology research lab. p. 97.
  67. Protesters, May 4, 1970. p. 42.
  68. Protesters, May 4, 1970. p. 42.
  69. Protesters (blood on ground in distance; Dr. Glenn Frank in center foreground), May 4, 1970. p. 51.
  70. Protesters and guards, May 3, 1970. p. 38.
  71. Reporters on campus. p. 43.
  72. Rubble of burned ROTC building, May 3, 1970. p. 34-35.
  73. Ruffner, Howard. p. 386.
  74. Ruffner, Marguerite. p. 391.
  75. Satrom, Leroy, Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  76. Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come. p. 113.
  77. Scene from Philadelphia Here I Come. p. 113.
  78. Scranton, William F., Scranton Commission. p. 57.
  79. Sergeant Myron C. Pryor getting troop into formation. p. 42.
  80. Silhouette of guards with guns, May 3, 1970. p. 39.
  81. Speaker, May 1, 1970. p. 32.
  82. Speaker, October 16, 1970. p. 58.
  83. State policeman with gun, May 4, 1970. p. 41.
  84. Student at Festival of Life. p. 62
  85. Student in cafeteria food line. p. 80-81.
  86. Student jumping in pool of blood, May 4, 1970. p. 51.
  87. Student speaker. p. 32
  88. Student talking to guards, May 3, 1970. p. 38.
  89. Student waving flag at Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 48.
  90. Students and guards, May 3, 1970. p. 38-39.
  91. Students and guards, May 4, 1970. p. 40.
  92. Students followed by Guardsmen, May 4, 1970. p. 53.
  93. Students on lawn, May 1, 1970. p. 32.
  94. Students running and throwing things, May 4, 1970. p. 48-49.
  95. Students running for cover, May 4, 1970. p. 50.
  96. Students walking by sculpture near Taylor Hall, May 4, 1970. p. 50.
  97. Unidentified person on stretcher, May 4, 1970. p. 52.
  98. Vecchio, Mary crying above Jeffrey Miller, May 4, 1970. p. 51.
  99. Viccny, Frank, swimming coach. p. 127.
  100. Victory bell, May 1, 1970. p. 32.
  101. Warren, George V., Scranton Commission. p. 56.
  102. Woman lighting a cigarette for guardsman, May 3, 1970. p. 39.
  103. Women at computers. p. 16-17.

Correspondence

  1. May 2, 1975. Long, Phil. Kent, Ohio. To Howard. Thanks Ruffner for use of photograph.
  2. October 14, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Benjamin Civiletti. Requests that the documents regarding the burning of the ROTC building be released.
  3. October 17, 1977. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Ruffner's desire to obtain copies of FBI files on himself.
  4. January 28, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, VA. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding Bill Ferster's plan for a short film about Kent State.
  5. January 31, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Bill Ferster. Gives permission for the use of several photographs in a film.
  6. January 31, 1978. Thomas, Charles. To Andrea Biren. Discusses technical details about weapons which he believes dispute prior claims made by Guardsmen.
  7. 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.
  8. February 14, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland Heights, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Encloses said photographs.
  9. February 21, 1978. Thomas, Charles. Arlington, V.A. To Howard Ruffner. Response in agreement with Ruffner's letter.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. December 1, 1978. Ruffner, Howard. Cleveland, Ohio. To Charles Thomas. Gives permission to use photographs in Gallery magazine.
  13. February 28, 1979. Silber, Glenn. Madison. To Howard Ruffner. Regarding film documentary on the antiwar movement.
  14. 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.
  15. 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

  1. American Report, November 12, 1971
  2. "An Appeal for Justice." June 21, 1971.
  3. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 1.
  4. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 2.
  5. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 3.
  6. Civil trial interview of Ruffner. Part 4.
  7. Contemporary, May 6, 1990.
  8. Copyright registration form for Chestnut Burr
  9. Criminal trial interview of Ruffner. November 7, 1974.
  10. Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. October 21, 1974.
  11. Deposition of Ruffner in Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. October 21, 1974.
  12. FBI file on Ruffner.
  13. For the Record, June 11, 1990
  14. Gallery, April 1979
  15. High School Press Institute Review, August 21, 1970
  16. Interview between Howard Ruffner and [Jeffrey] Zink. June 30, 1970.
  17. Kent, June 1970
  18. "Kent - Aftermath." by Jerry M. Lewis
  19. "Kent State: Murder and Coverup." Charles Thomas (includes note from "Charlie"). June 9, 1978.
  20. KSU Position Paper. Statement of Policy. October 14, 1970.
  21. KSU Position Paper. Presidential Policy on Examination of Issues. October, 1970.
  22. Life, May 15, 1970
  23. "May 4, 1970 - Date Nation Won't Forget"
  24. Newsclip: "KSU Photo Featured in Exhibit," Record Courier, September 18, 1970.
  25. Newsclip: "Kent State and Watergate," World, June 5, 1973
  26. Newsclip: "The Other Kent State Photographer: Howard E. Ruffner," Plain Dealer Magazine, April 29, 1979
  27. Newsclip: Photograph of Ruffner
  28. Newsweek, May 18, 1970
  29. "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.
  30. Official Kent State University Bulletin, June 10, 1970
  31. "On the Slain Collegians" by Herman Melville
  32. Paper recommending emergency communication systems
  33. Politics and Education, V.1.1.
  34. The Post-American, Spring 1972
  35. Reader's Digest Guidelines, March 1971
  36. Report and recommendations to University Commission to Implement a Commitment to Nonviolence
  37. "Reporting the Kent State Incident"
  38. Restatement of University policy, October 19, 1970.
  39. Rough draft script for Unnecessary, Unwarranted, and Inexcusable by Alva I. Cox, Jr.
  40. Scranton Commission interview of Ruffner.
  41. State Grand Jury interview of Ruffner.
  42. Statement of Charles Thomas, National Archives, on possible coverup. December 18, 1978.
  43. Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on September 23, 1970
  44. Subpoena for Ruffern's court appearance on October 22, 1974
  45. Subpoena for Ruffner's court appearance on December 19, 1978
  46. Time, May 18, 1970
  47. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 19, 1978.
  48. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 19, 1978.
  49. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 1. December 20, 1978.
  50. Trial proceedings of Krause vs. Rhodes. Part 2. December 20, 1978.

Miscellaneous items

  1. Armband
  2. Camera lens belonging to Ruffner, used by John Filo on May 4, 1970.
  3. Catalog for Farrar Straus Giroux, Fall-Winter 1972-1973. Includes The Murders at Kent State by Peter Davies.
  4. Certificate of excellence from "Cover '71" art exhibit, October 26, 1971.
  5. Fliers for "Kent State: A Wake," Occidental College presentation.
  6. Flyer for "Bearking Witness," an art exhibit featuring Ruffner.
  7. Flyer for "To Heal Kent State" by Kim Sorvig
  8. Flyer for Kent State: May 4, 1970
  9. Invitation to 1971 Publications Banquet.
  10. Invitation to "Cover '71" art exhibit. October 26, 1971.
  11. Invitation to "Artists for Justice," May 19, 1974.
  12. List of film production companies
  13. Map of campus including area of protests
  14. Map of campus showing where students were wounded
  15. Maps showing Ruffner's position upon taking photographs
  16. Poster for Moratorium
    Physical Location: This item is filed in the map case.
  17. Press pass.
  18. Press release, postcard, and seed packet for "Simple Gestures: A Commemorative Installation" by Eve Birch
  19. Protest buttons
  20. Raw audio recording of 1971 Chestnut Burr record insert
  21. Reprints of Ruffner's photographs torn from book

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