Guide to the Doral Chenoweth Collection
Title:
Doral Chenoweth Collection
Repository:
Ohio University
Phone: 740-593-2710
http://www.ohio.edu/library/collections/archives-special-collections/
Creator:
Chenoweth, Doral
Dates:
1859-2009
Quantity:
1.3 cubic feet (1 box containing 10 folders and 1 large drawing in a 16 inch by 12.5 inch frame)
Abstract:
 This collection contains photographs, newspapers, emails, online articles, and letters, all collected by Doral Chenoweth, as well as transcripts and chapters from his book, entitled “30: Battle Correspondents of World War II,” and, finally, a copy of his cookbook, entitled “Gourmet Galaxy Café.”
Identification:
MSS423
Language:
The records are in English

Biography of Doral Park Chenoweth

Doral Park Chenoweth was born on June 12, 1921 in Palestine, West Virginia. Chenoweth began his career in journalism early, writing for local newspapers starting at age 16. During World War II, Chenoweth served in several locations, including Northern Africa, the Philippines, and Panama, as a press officer for the United States Army. After the war, Chenoweth returned home to West Virginia and was successfully elected as a member of the West Virginia state house of delegates. After his term in the West Virginia state legislature, he served as the chief editor of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Then, in 1953, he moved to Columbus and became a gossip columnist and reporter for the Columbus Citizen, and he wrote a gossip column in the Columbus Star tabloid as well. In addition to his career as a reporter, Doral Chenoweth was also a playwright. He wrote over a dozen plays, had several of them produced, and became a member of the Dramatics Guild of America. Doral Chenoweth was an avid food critic for the Columbus Dispatch under the name “Grumpy Gourmet” from 1982 to 2000. Through his reviews, Chenoweth helped promote and popularize Columbus restaurants, revitalizing the local cuisine scene. Even well into retirement, Chenoweth continued to dine out and publish restaurant columns and reviews online. Readers found his wit, humor, and acerbic commentary endearing and memorable. Chenoweth enjoyed a long marriage with his wife, Sue L. Chenoweth, until she died in 2016. Doral Chenoweth died on September 15, 2019, at the age of 98.

Scope and Content

The main themes prevalent in the Doral Chenoweth collection are war correspondents, journalists killed in action, international journalism, truth and facts, and American soldiers in WWII. The contents of each folder within the Doral Chenoweth collection have been kept in their original order, which was the organization that Doral Chenoweth himself created. This collection contains photographs, newspapers, emails, online articles, and letters, all collected by Doral Chenoweth, as well as transcripts and chapters from his book, entitled “30: Battle Correspondents of World War II,” and, finally, a copy of his cookbook, entitled “Gourmet Galaxy Café.”

Statement of Arrangement

The items within each folder have retained their original order. The folders have been arranged starting with Chenoweth’s final transcript, then his working transcript, then an older assortment of various chapters in no particular organization. His research materials include various photographs and articles and finally the unrelated or miscellaneous materials including his cookbook. Beginning with Chenoweth’s completed project then ending with the components and resources that helped inform his project allows viewers to understand the connections between his book and the war correspondents that inspired him.

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

War correspondents--History--20th century
World War, 1939-1945--Journalists

Material Types:

Cookbooks

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite [Collection Name], Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Acquisition Information

The Ohio University Archives received this collection in 2017. The materials were given to the Mahn Center with the permission of Doral Chenoweth before he died.