Marcia Goldberg Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-228

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of Marcia Goldberg pertain mostly to her research and publications on art history, particularly the portraits of 19th century artist H. Alonzo Pease (d.1881). Goldberg created two volumes that extensively document Pease’s portraits of prominent figures in Oberlin’s early history. The collection also contains photographs of many of these paintings. There is a wealth of information pertaining to H. Alonzo Pease, his life, his family, and his work.

The collection does not contain many personal papers of Marcia Goldberg. The one exception is the folder on the “Ban the Can” Campaign in Oberlin in 1984, which successfully persuaded Oberlin voters to uphold the ban on non-returnable beverage containers in November 1984. The bulk of the collection, however, is composed of Goldberg’s professional interests, including information on exhibitions, publications, and projects. In addition to her work on H. Alonzo Pease, Goldberg also completed research on the works of Samuel Waldo (d. 1861) and William Jewett (d. 1874), who like Pease, painted a portrait of Charles G. Finney (d. 1875).

In her capacity as a research associate with the Oberlin College Archives and later as an Affiliate Scholar at Oberlin, Marcia Goldberg contributed greatly to the understanding of 19th century painting and Oberlin history.

The papers are arranged in the following record series: 1. Files relating to H. Alonzo Pease; 2. Clippings; 3. Miscellaneous; 4. Writings; 5. Photographs; and 6. Talks.

Dates

Creation: 1811 - 2005
Creation: Majority of material found in 1978-1999
Other: Date acquired: 1993 January 12

Creator

Goldberg, Marcia (Goldberg, Marcia Chinitz) (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

"Adelia Field Johnston" Talk (2005) in Series 6 is restricted to reference use only.

Biographical Sketch

Marcia Chinitz Goldberg was born December 11, 1925, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Esidor Chinitz and Anna Gelfand Chinitz. She was educated at the University of Iowa, earning a B.A. in French in 1948.

After graduation she moved to New York City where she worked in the field of magazine advertising and promotion in several capacities: advertising copywriter for Prentice Hall, Inc. (1950-1951); publicity director for the Comptone Company (1951-1952); and promotion manager for Modern Bride Magazine (1952-1953).

In 1953 she married Samuel Goldberg (b. 1925), recently appointed assistant professor of mathematics in the Department of Mathematics, Oberlin College. Mrs. Goldberg was appointed the same year as secretary to the College Librarian and Professor of Bibliography Julian S. Fowler (d. 1975). A son David was born on February 13, 1955, which led Mrs. Goldberg to leave her secretarial position at the College Library. In addition to raising a family and maintaining a household, Marcia Goldberg was a member of the League of Women Voters and in the late 1950s served as an active member of the Housing Survey and Code Committee of the City of Oberlin. She wrote publicity articles in support of the Survey and Code Subcommittee. For more information on her role as a community activist, see Leadership in a Small Town (Totowa, N.J., 1964), by Aaron Wildavsky.

Marcia Goldberg, who received an MA in art history from Oberlin College in 1973, was an active researcher in the field of art history. She published many articles in national art journals and several in conjunction with exhibitions at the Allen Memorial Art Museum and the College Library, both of Oberlin College. She served as a research associate with the Oberlin College Archives from 1975 to 1985, and also named one of the first affiliate scholars at Oberlin.

She and her husband, now retired, still live in Oberlin. Marcia Goldberg, in her own quiet way, continues to support local educational endeavors and a variety of social concerns.

Sources consulted

Marcia Goldberg provided editorial comments for the biographical sketch.

Extent

1.20 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The papers of Marcia Goldberg were received in four installments, 1993, 1998, 2000, and 2005 (1993/016, 1998/069, 2000/095, and 2005/061); the bulk was donated in 1998. Upon the request of Marcia Goldberg, the majority of the infrared photography prints made in 1980 (2000/095) were moved to the files related to each individual. Additional material was received from Marcia Goldberg in July 2009 (2009/040, unprocessed).