Walter King Bailey Papers

The papers of Walter King Bailey document his activities—particularly athletic ones—while a student at Oberlin College and his involvement in development issues during his tenure as a trustee of the College later in his career. His letters include reference to the 1916 controversy involving a Greek fraternity. Several letters also relate conversations with Irvin Houck and address the controversy surrounding the naming of Carr Pool. These letters demonstrate the depth of involvement Bailey had with development efforts of the College.

His papers also include development publications (1954 1960) which include references to future building projects such as King Memorial Hall, the Conservatory complex, and Kettering Hall. As a trustee, Bailey served in the Development Committee as noted in the publication, but his involvement with their publication is unknown.

Bailey’s papers include three scrapbooks, two of which have been unbound. One unbound scrapbook (1996) contains memorabilia from the memorial service of Sarah and Walter Bailey. The remaining bound scrapbook (1914-19) includes banquet and reception booklets, athletic schedules, concert and theatre programs and ticket stubs, newspaper clippings regarding the Greek fraternity controversy and other stories, a certificate of military training elevating Bailey to the rank of sergeant, athletic award ribbons, and some photographs.

The remaining scrapbook contains materials relating to Bailey's fellow student athletes often during games and some photographs of Navy personnel and female students. The scrapbook is unbound and included in the photograph series. Also included in the papers are two transparencies and a News of the Century publication (March 2002) which describes Bailey's involvement with development and his sons' establishment of a scholarship fund in his name. The transparencies are those used in the publication.