January 2004

Cookbook collection
donated to UM libraries
A collection of 515 contemporary cookbooks has been donated to UM’s Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library.

The Raymond Dockstader collection has been appraised at more than $10,000. It will be housed primarily at UM’s College of Technology Library, where it will complement collections being built to support COT culinary arts programs. Select rare cookbooks will be placed in the archives department at UM’s Mansfield Library.

“I believe this is the first time we have ever secured a collection for the College of Technology,” said Frank D’Andraia, UM dean of library services. He said the cookbooks are accessible to the public.

The collection’s namesake, Dockstader, graduated from UM in 1952 with a political science degree. A native of Terry, he had a long, distinguished career in government service, working for U.S. Sen. Mike Mansfield’s personal staff from 1954 to 1976 and leaving with the title of chief legislative aide.

Dockstader then became deputy director of the Library of Congress American Folklore Center. He retired from public service in 1993 and now serves as a consultant to the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation in Washington, D.C.

His collection contains trade cookbooks published by major American publishers, and he has collected many signed and inscribed first editions. The collection also includes a number of charitable cookbooks sold to support various causes.

Dockstader has been collecting cookbooks, medallions and ceramics for more than 30 years. His ceramics collection is now housed with the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena.

He also is well-known for his canvas work — also called petit point or needlepoint. He has earned many honors from the historic Woodlawn Plantation Needlepoint Exhibit and Competition — the longest-running and most prestigious competition of its kind in the United States.

University Relations | Cary Shimek, Editor
The University of Montana-Missoula
32 Campus Drive | Missoula, MT 59812
phone (406) 243-2522 | fax (406) 243-4520
© 2004 The University of Montana