Will Rogers memorabilia donated to state historic park

An Arizona man who has amassed thousands of items related to cowboy philosopher and actor Will Rogers is donating the collection to Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades.

Rochelle Nicholas-Booth, the park's curator, said the collection of Leland Wilson of Gold Canyon, Ariz., is "one of the largest repositories of published Will Rogers materials outside of the Will Rogers Memorial in Oklahoma."

It includes 1,900 books and more than 100 magazines and journals, plus movie posters, postcards, drawings, first-day covers, motion pictures, audio records, a lamp and other items.

Nicholas-Booth said the collection would be available for education and research. Three rooms in the ranch house will be adapted for use as a library, reading room and display area.

Wilson, who, like Rogers, is from Oklahoma, and members of his family will deliver the materials to the park Saturday.

—Martha Groves

Comments

[Don Welch]

Will Rogers was one interesting and influential man. His political wit is unmatched to this day. Mr. Wilson is to be congratulated for donating his collection of a life time of Rogers Memorabilia to the Will Rogers State Park. I look forward to visiting the "Park" and viewing the memorabilia.

Thank You Mr. Wilson and Family.