Sydney Combs Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1988A004

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence regarding the state acquisition of Cassius Marcellus Clay's estate from his descendants. Clay's estate is known as White Hall and is located in northern Madison County. The Capital City Heritage Commission, later renamed Kentucky Heritage Commission, was heavily involved on the state level trying to make White Hall a state shrine. Also found within this collection are various correspondence involving Senator John Sherman Cooper and his hard work of getting S. 3035 passed, which created a national program for the preservation of additional historic properties throughout the nation. John Sherman Cooper was a very prominent Republican Senator in Kentucky during the mid-twentieth century. In addition, information can also be found regarding the persistence of Mrs. Combs to place several local historic sites on the national registry.