THEODORE (TED) HACKWORTH PAPERS

Collection

Identifier: WH1795

Staff Only

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The bulk of the papers in this collection consist of reports, newspaper clippings and correspondence that Hackworth collected during his time in elected office. Awards that Hackworth received during the course of his political career comprise a portion of the collection. The awards vary from certificates to large plaques. Other papers include scrapbooks and plans for the Raccoon Creek Development in Hackworth's City Council District.

SERIES 1 POLITICAL CAREER 1968-2009 BOX 1-4

Correspondence, certificates and reports comprise this series. The papers document Hackworth's political career. He saved congratulatory correspondence received upon election and newspaper clippings reflecting his political interests. Many of the clippings were from the local newsletters of his district, indicating Hackworth's strong interest in the desires of his constituents.

Board of Education materials are arranged chronologically, but City Council papers are arranged alphabetically since topics cover a span of several years. Correspondence is both sent and received in the series.

SERIES 2 PERSONAL 1932-2003 BOX 4

Awards in the form of certificates and resolutions, school programs, correspondence and newspaper clippings constitute this series. Correspondence and programs also reflect the numerous organizations to which Hackworth belonged.

SERIES 3 EPHEMERA 1970-2003 BOX 5-6

Ephemera consist of numerous plaques received by Hackworth in honor of his public service.

SERIES 4 OVERSIZE 1965-2004 OVBOX 1-8, OVFOLIO 1, OVFF 1-3

Scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings that document Hackworth's political career comprise a portion of the series. Also included are large plaques given to Hackworth by organizations in appreciation of his work. Plans for the Raccoon Creek Development in Southwest Denver and certificates constitute another portion of the series.

Dates

1932-2009

ACCESS:

The collection is open for research.

OWNERSHIP:

Literary and copyrights - as appropriate- have been assigned to the Denver Public Library.

PUBLICATION RIGHTS:

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from material in the collection should be discussed with the appropriate librarian or archivist. Permission for publication may be given on behalf of the Denver Public Library as the owner of the physical item. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained by the customer. The Library does not assume any responsibility for infringement of copyright or publication rights of the manuscript held by the writer, heirs, donors, or executors. Reproduction restrictions are decided on a case-by-case basis.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Theodore (Ted) Hackworth was born in Denver November 7, 1926. He attended East High School. Upon graduation in 1945, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and served until 1947. Working a variety of jobs to support his family, Hackworth attended the University of Denver at night, earning a bachelor's degree in 1955. That same year, he started work for Continental Baking Company and worked his way up to company sales manager. In 1971, he became a sales manager for Sigman Meat Company.

Also in 1971, Hackworth was elected to the Denver Board of Education on an anti-busing campaign with Bob Crider and Bert Gallegos. He served a six-year term, retiring from the School Board in 1977. He ran for Colorado State Senator in 1974 but was defeated and remained on the School Board. On the Board of Education, Hackworth led the fight to oppose busing, speaking at many Denver homeowners associations to press his viewpoint. During the last six months of his Board of Education term, he worked in Billings, Montana for the Pierce Packing Company.

In 1979, Hackworth was elected to the Denver City Council, representing District no. 2. He also became a salesman for Pitney Bowes. In 1981, Hackworth resigned from Pitney Bowes. For two years, Hackworth worked as a consultant for the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1982, his City Council position forced him to resign from the consultant position to prevent a conflict-of-interest situation.

Hackworth was president of the City Council from 1983-1984. His reputation was for consistency and perseverance. Republican and conservative, Hackworth acted as a watchdog for excessive governmental spending. He opposed dispersed housing which at one time proposed to buy 500 homes in his district to place people from housing projects. Originally, Hackworth fought the construction of Denver International Airport, but once the money to build it was borrowed, he pushed to have it open on time. Hackworth represented his district until his retirement in 2003.

Hackworth was active in his local homeowners association, the Harvey Park Improvement Association (HPIA); the Yawn Toastmasters; the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG); the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC); and was on the Board of Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District No. 1. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America and Republican Party. He received numerous awards during his many years of public service.

Hackworth married Doris Evelyn Larson December 31, 1947. They had two daughters and a son. He died in Denver November 9, 2009.

Extent

6 Boxes

8 OVBoxes

1 oversize folio

3 oversize folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Other Finding Aids

For location information, refer to the Denver Public Library Catalog.

PROVENANCE:

Ted Hackworth donated materials in 2003 to the Denver Public Library. Doris Hackworth donated additional materials in 2010. She also provided partial funding for processing the collection.