Cornell Library and Midvale Road Trip Provides a Trove of Memorabilia

Society visit to the RTJ Archives at Cornell Library and Midvale provided a trove of memorabilia.

Dave Leigh (President), Dick Robbins (Historian), and Tim Ross (Membership) planned a typical “buddy trip” from Ohio to New York to visit the RTJ Archives at Cornell University. What ensued was an amazing journey of hospitality, unique memorabilia, great golf, and just plain fun.

After two rounds at historic Firestone, taking advantage of one of their “stay & play” offers, the group had made prearrangements with Cornell to review files of their respective courses- West Point, Firestone, and Valencia. Archive files revealed photos of POWs doing construction at West Point, RTJ plans for Firestone North, and photos of an RTJ visit to Valencia in the early ‘90’s! Along with sketches and other correspondence, the Archives provide a treasure trove for clubs interested in preserving and highlighting RTJ’s legacy at member clubs.

In addition to the detective work, the group was treated to great hospitality and golf at both the Cornell and Midvale courses (Passport Program members).Midvale shared its great history as RTJ’s first design, for which he was never paid- it was the Depression, what can you say? RTJ visited Midvale numerous times over his lifetime and the membership is justifiably proud of their legacy.

If your club is interested in its RTJ history, a quick review of the Cornell files on our website can determine what “might” exist and may yield great results. As a Society member, access to your files is a relatively easy but defined process.

Go to for more details go to the

Resources tab on our website or
Contact Dick Robbins, Society Historian, for help.