By Anna Helmig, History graduate student (Public History concentration)
We are pleased to announce that a new manuscript collection, MS-629: Charles F. Horn Papers, has been arranged and described and is now available for research!
Charles F. Horn had a lengthy career in Miami Valley politics and served the public in many different local and state government roles. He was elected to the Kettering City Council in 1963 and served on the council until 1969, when he became the mayor of Kettering. As mayor, Horn encouraged Kettering-residents to become involved in volunteering (known as “volunteerism” by Horn and others) and spear-headed many public-beautification projects in the Kettering-area. During his mayoral term, Horn also became involved in creating the Miami Valley Cable Council, helped fund-raise for a charity called “Camp for Kids Who Can’t,” and participated in the Sister Cities program. In addition to these roles, Horn also served as a Montgomery County Commissioner from 1980 to 1984. From 1985 to 2000, Horn served in the Ohio Senate, representing the sixth district, which encompasses most of Montgomery County, including Dayton. As a senator, Horn focused on technology, specifically, he was a part of many projects that attempted to find ways to utilize the technological research performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to bring technology and jobs to Montgomery County.
Horn also held an active life outside of his political career. Horn grew up on his parents’ farm and graduated from Bellefontaine High School as World War II was beginning. Horn enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 and became a corporal in the Army Air Corps as part of the Flying Tigers fighter squadron. Horn and the Flying Tigers were stationed in a variety of countries during the war, including India, China, North Africa, and Italy. After the war, Horn earned an electrical engineering degree from Purdue University in 1949, and then went on to Cleveland Marshall Law School, where he obtained his law degree in 1954.
Most of the materials in this manuscript collection, including documents, correspondence, news articles, photographs, and audio-visual materials, were produced or otherwise used by Horn throughout his political career. The materials within the collection generally relate to various local, statewide, and federal political initiatives involving technology, international accord, volunteerism, and economic growth. In addition, there are a significant number of records within this collection that reflect Horn’s heavy involvement in projects regarding Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Finally, this collection also contains photographs and records pertaining to Horn’s personal life as well.
A selection of materials from this collection are found below, and more are available online in CORE Scholar.
A photograph of senator Charles Horn planting marigolds outside of the Ohio State House. Horn was involved in beautification projects, particularly the planting of marigolds, throughout his political career. Circa 1984-2001. (ms629_018_001_001) 
A photograph of Kettering, Ohio mayor, Charles Horn, riding an elephant at a special Kettering city event. Circa 1969-1980. (ms629_015_001_001) 
A political brochure for Charles Horn’s campaign for a seat on the Montgomery County Commission. Horn served as a commissioner for Montgomery County from 1980-1984. Circa 1979-1980. (ms629_003_007_001a) 
Instructions explaining how to properly plant marigolds for city of Kettering, Ohio residents. These instructions were created and distributed by the Kettering Garden City Beautification Committee, a group created and led by mayor, Charles Horn. (ms629_013_002_001)
For more information about the collection, please view the MS-629: Charles F. Horn Papers collection finding aid online or contact Special Collections and Archives today.
An exhibit of selected items from the Charles Horn Papers is also currently on display in the Special Collections and Archives reading room as well.