Oberlin School of Telegraphy Records

This collection consists of correspondence and printed material. The printed material includes miscellaneous advertising pamphlets and booklets, dating from 1873-1906, undated. This material contains information on the history of telegraphy, the foundation of the school, the school mission statement and curriculum. To entice new students there are stories on successful graduates and articles on the benefits of attending the Oberlin School of Telegraphy. The name of the school(s) changed many times throughout its history after being founded in 1862. These materials reflect six different name changes: Oberlin School of Telegraphy, Central Union Telegraph Co., Union Telegraph College, Sherman Telegraph Co., Oberlin Telegraph School, and National Correspondence School.

The correspondence includes both student letters and a letterpress copybook. The four student letters were written by Frank Shute in 1875. The letters depict his activities at school, as well as his experience attending public functions in Oberlin.

Bound together in a letterpress copybook are over 700 copies of letters sent by the Oberlin Telegraphy School during 1896 and 1897. Most of the letters are addressed to prospective students, but some are concerning the business dealings of the school.