Doral Chenoweth Collection
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."
Dates
- Creation: 1859
- Creation: 1917
- Creation: 1940-1946
- Creation: 1995
- Creation: 2003-2009
Creator
- Chenoweth, Doral (Person)
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Use
Ohio University retains all property rights to the collection.
Ohio University retains all copyrights unless retained by the donor, other correspondents, or other artists.
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.
Extent
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."
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, then moving on to his research materials—including various photographs and articles—and finally ending with 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.
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.
Existence and Location of Copies
Ohio University will entertain requests to photocopy reasonable amounts of material from the collection for the convenience of individual researchers.
Bibliography
- Edwards, Erin. "Food News: Columbus' ‘Grumpy Gourmet' dies at 98." Columbus Alive. Sept 16, 2019. https://www.columbusalive.com/foodanddining/20190916/food-news-columbus-grumpy-gourmet-dies-at-98-makers-social-coming-to-franklinton
- Gordon, Ken. "'Grumpy Gourmet' Doral Chenoweth, longtime Dispatch restaurant critic, dies at 98." The Columbus Dispatch. September 16, 2019. https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20190916/grumpy-gourmet-doral-chenoweth-longtime-dispatch-restaurant-critic-dies-at-98
- Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Index to Politicians: Cheng to Cherrington." The Political Graveyard. Updated August 19, 2019. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/chennault-cherney.html#658.23.46
- Meckler, Michael. "A look back: Dispatch restaurant reviewer the Grumpy Gourmet at his grumpiest." The Columbus Dispatch. October 23, 2018. https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20181023/look-back-dispatch-restaurant-reviewer-grumpy-gourmet-at-his-grumpiest
- "Photos: Doral Chenoweth, The Grumpy Gourmet." The Columbus Dispatch. October 23, 2019.
- https://www.dispatch.com/photogallery/OH/20181023/PHOTOGALLERY/101209998/PH/1?fbclid=IwAR0OExj3huPMm2j6Mxyz2Nn_ojDmIKDzTgkTGkhja_m2CXhdviL2WWUw1Fs
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
- Title
- Guide to the Doral Chenoweth Collection
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Julia Schneider
- Date
- 2022
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository
