Chester Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay Papers
Scope and Contents
The Chester Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay Papers contain documents related to the Nimitz Family and the naval career of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The collection includes photographs of the Nimitz family and Admiral Nimitz’s pre-war maritime career on the USS Augusta and the USS Arizona. It also features personal letters and postcards sent to and from Admiral Nimitz and other family members. Additionally, the collection includes naval correspondence concerning Admiral Nimitz and copies of his Naval War College essays. It contains photographs of Admiral Nimitz’s service in World War II and during Operation Crossroads’ bomb testing. Programs and pamphlets from organizations and memorials related to Admiral Nimitz are also present, along with magazines and news clippings about Admiral Nimitz, various Nimitz family members, and the USS Nimitz (CV-68). Lastly, the collection includes letters and photographs of Admiral Nimitz's parents and documents from the Nimitz Hotel.
Dates
- Creation: 1866 - 2002
Creator
- Lay, Richard Freeman, 1948- (Person)
- Lay, Chester Nimitz, 1948- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection in any form must be obtained from the National Museum of the Pacific War's, Center for Pacific War Studies.
Biographical / Historical
Chester “Chet” Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay (March 29, 1948) are the twin sons of Catherine Nimitz Lay and the grandsons of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. During their summers in college, Chet Lay and Richard Lay worked for Slade Associates, a land surveying company in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, along Cape Cod. After graduating from college in 1970, they continued their work at Slade Associates in Wellfleet. In 1984, Richard Lay became a founding trustee of the Wellfleet Conservation Trust and continues to contribute to conservation efforts in Wellfleet, as does Chet Lay. Both brothers eventually retired in 2017, selling their surveying company, but remaining active in their community. The brothers also assist the Wellfleet Historical Commission during their retirement.
Extent
0.8 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
German
Abstract
The Chester Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay Papers contain photographs, letters, news clippings, and correspondence related to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s naval career and the Nimitz family.
Arrangement
This collection consist of three boxes divided into three series: Series I: Documents and Photographs Subseries: Chester B. Nimitz and the Nimitz Hotel Subseries: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Service Series II: Photographs Subseries: Photographs of the Nimitz Family Subseries: Photographs of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Service and Family Subseries: Chester W. Nimitz Portraits Series III: Magazines, Newspapers, and Clippings
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Chester Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay donated these materials in 2017 (2017.092), 2020 (2020.031), and 2022 (2022.015).
General
3D artifacts have been separated from this collection, including a leather wallet and brass plate. Contact the archivist for further information.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Sarah O'Malley on June, 2025.
Subject
- Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966 (Person)
- Lay, Catherine Vance Nimitz, 1914-2015 (Person)
- Nimitz, Chester W. (William), Jr., 1915-2002 (Person)
- Nimitz, Anna Elizabeth "Nancy", 1919-2004 (Person)
- Nimitz, Mary Aquinas "Mary Manson", 1931-2006 (Person)
- Nimitz, Catherine F. (Catherine Freeman), 1892-1979 (Person)
- Nimitz, Chester B. (Bernard), 1855-1884 (Person)
- United States. Navy (Organization)
- Nimitz Hotel (Fredericksburg, Tex.) (Organization)
- Title
- Chester Nimitz and Richard Freeman Lay Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah O'Malley
- Date
- 2025-06-12
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Center for Pacific War Studies / National Museum of the Pacific War Repository
328 E. Austin St.
Fredericksburg Texas 78624 United States of America
archives@nimitzfoundation.org