Letters from Mother and Father to Lois, 1931-1942

The Lois Blakely Orbell Papers is a small collection of correspondence, musical performance programs, a clipping, and two panorama photographs of students at Oberlin College. The letters from Lois to her family span 1904-1928, with the majority written from Oberlin. A few letters are from Lois’ parents to Lois. After Lois Orbell’s death in 1985, two friends sent letters to an Orbell relative about her.

The programs, with one exception, feature piano performances by Lois Blakely before and after her marriage. These include a high school program in 1921, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music Commencement program in 1926, for which she performed on with the Conservatory Orchestra, and two programs for a performance in New York City as accompanist on piano for John Lloyd, tenor, in 1949.

The clipping announces a New Milford Monday Club recital in New Milford, Connecticut in 1935, for which Lois Orbell performed two classical works for the piano. The folder also includes a business card for R. E. Blakely, and a wedding announcement for R. Ernest Blakely in 1900.

Photographs include unidentified women in their later years. Two panorama photographs of a large group of students were taken by the college photographer, one dated 1925; the other is undated. These are difficult to unroll without causing damage.