RG 30. Personal Papers

Scope and Contents The papers of the Prudden family contain correspondence. Written mostly to George Prudden between 1836 and 1838 from his siblings Nancy and Davis, these letters provide a fascinating and rare view of early daily life, studies, traveling, and socializing in Oberlin, Ohio. Most significant are six letters written by Nancy to her brother George. Written both from Oberlin while she was a student and from her home in Lockport, New York, these letters discuss her loneliness for family and...

Scope and Contents One of Peirce's early publications (1904) was "The Freedman's Bureau: A Chapter on the History of Reconstruction" (The State University of Iowa Studies in Sociology, Economics, Politics, and History, Vol. III, No. 1). During his research for this study, Peirce wrote to a number of persons who had knowledge of the workings of the Freedmen's Bureau and these papers consist of the 34 replies received. The letters written in 1889-1900 generally...

Scope and Contents The papers of Lewis and Lois Gilbert document their missionary work in China from 1925 to 1941. The papers consist of sixteen spiral bound volumes containing typescript copies of letters written by the Gilberts to their families during their time in China. The letters describe their work at Yali (or Yale-China), Changsha, 1926-27, and as ABCFM missionaries in North China, 1929-41. Subjects include their travels to and within China, language study, school and mission events, and social...

Scope and Contents The papers consist of copies, both photocopies and typescript, of letters and other documents; notes taken by Lawson and Merrill; correspondence created in search of source material and potential publishing vehicles, and in writing to others doing similar research; articles and drafts of articles; photographs and slides of Oberlin College and town individuals and families; and other records of a like nature. Records created the last two years also reflect additional interests followed by...

Scope and Contents The Bigglestone personal papers reflect William E. Bigglestone's interest in Oberlin history, with a special interest in the Oberlin Black community, and Oberlin during the mid-to-late 19th century. He was preoccupied with focusing on Oberlin's early themes (such as a place of refuge for enslaved people in pursuit of freedom, Black servicemen in the Civil War, and Oberlin College as an integral part of the town) and getting the record straight. The collection highlights Bigglestone’s...

Scope and Contents Arranged into three series: I. Project Files, II. Architectural Drawings, III. Teaching Materials, and IV. Photographs and Negatives, this collection mainly represents Brown’s working files from his architectural practice in Ohio between 1938 to 1940.  Included are project files for the residences built in and around the core section of the City of Oberlin. Files for the Frederick B. Artz residence (Oberlin, OH) and Clayton S. Ellsworth residence (Wooster, OH), as well as the First...

Abstract The papers of the Rev. Francis Ward Davis (1857-1900) and his wife, Lydia Clara Lord Davis (1867-1952), constitute an excellent source for the study of the lives of China missionaries up to the time of the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in which Francis Davis was killed. The couple's eight-year residence (1889-97) in Shansi Province as Congregational missionaries under appointment of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (A.B.C.F.B.) is well documented. The post-1900 papers...

Scope and Contents The Brian K. Hansen Papers consist of materials related to the formation of the Theatre-Arts Department and major at Oberlin College from 1956 to 1973. The collection primarily consists of documentation regarding the creation and development of both the Theatre-Arts Department as well as the Theatre-Arts Major. Included in the collection are a number of proposals and correspondence among a number of Oberlin College faculty, students and staff, including Brian K. Hansen, David Merrill,...

Scope and Contents The papers of Alicia D'Addario consist of her history honors paper, "In Search of Community: The Oberlin Student Movement, 1961-68," and related historical files and oral history interviews. The papers are arranged in three series: I. Honors Thesis, II. Historical Files, and III. Oral History Interviews. D'Addario did extensive research in the Oberlin College Archives for her honors paper, which looks at the New Left from the perspective of a small liberal arts...

Scope and Contents The papers of Mary Durling primarily document her work as an artist, coordinator of special projects and exhibitions, and her civic activities within the community of Oberlin. A modest amount of materials relate to her teaching in the Oberlin College Upward Bound Program, and her work with other student achievement programs and the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. Series IX. Special Programs Coordinator Files contains correspondence, notes, and other materials that...