Warren Hunting Smith Library: Archival Collections: All Collections

The Archives & Special Collections at Hobart and William Smith Colleges strive to preserve and provide access to sources documenting the Colleges’ history.

Archival materials are arranged (processed) into Special Collections and College Archives. Special Collections consist of materials created or collected by individuals or families and donated to the Archives. Many of these collections are created and donated by alumni/ae of the Colleges. College Archives consist of materials from various HWS offices and departments.

Searchable collection guides, called finding aids, are available on this page for all processed collections. Finding aids offer a description of the collection, an organized inventory of the materials in it, and other supportive information about the collection. Finding aids help researchers determine if a collection is likely to contain materials of interest to them.

An orange star icon indicates that all or part of the collection has been digitized and is available on the Digital Collections page. Clicking the star next to a collection will take you to the corresponding digital collection.

Special Collections

SC-001 Edward H. C. Taylor papers
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1812–1974 (bulk 1860–1886)
The majority of this collection is personal correspondence from E. H. C. Taylor to his family during his service in the U.S. Civil War from 1860–1864.
SC-002 Virginia C. Trimble papers
1919–1937
The collection contains items from Virginia C. Trimble's time at William Smith College in the early 1920s and some items from the 1930s. Materials include William Smith College viewbooks, Pine yearbooks, postcards and greeting cards, and an examination book from 1923.
SC-003 Demarest Memorial Library cornerstone materials
1879–1894
The materials in this collection were originally placed in the cornerstone of the Demarest Memorial Library addition of 1894–1895.
SC-004 Charles V. and Constance Dean Adair collection
circa 1943–1944
A small collection of undated photographs of campus scenes donated by Charles V. Adair and his wife. Includes photographs of sporting events, religious life, fraternities, campus houses, theatre, and general student life activities.
SC-005 John Churchill Rudd papers
circa 1796–1847
This collection contains handwritten sermons written between 1811 and 1837 by Rev. Dr. John Churchill Rudd, Episcopal priest and Geneva College trustee from 1828–1848.
SC-006 Howard Van Rensselaer Palmer papers
1899–1973
The materials in this collection primarily date from Howard Van Rensselaer Palmer's time at Hobart College ca. 1899–1902 and his fundraising activities in the 1920s and 1930s.
SC-007 Thomas McBlain Steele papers
1919–1944
This collection largely consists of papers and speeches written by Thomas McBlain Steele and others related to political issues prominent in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.
SC-008 Church family papers
1784–1957, 2000
The Church family papers contain both personal and business correspondence, along with financial records, wills, newspaper clippings, and genealogical materials that span over a century.
SC-009 David Bates Douglass papers
1813–1912
This collection consists of the professional papers of David Bates Douglass. These papers encompass many of Douglass's professional activities, including professions as a soldier, engineer, professor, college president, and architect of cemeteries.
SC-010 Little, Hale, and Douglass families papers
1788–1911
This collection includes the papers of David Bates Douglass, Malcolm Douglass, Sarah Hale Douglass, the Josiah Little family, the Heywood family, the Hale family, and President Benjamin Hale.
SC-011 Elon Howard Eaton papers
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1877–2009
The papers of Elon Howard Eaton, Professor of Biology from 1908–1935, author of "Birds of New York," and a noted ornithologist.
SC-012 Adaline Glasheen papers
1950–1980
The Adaline Glasheen papers contain correspondence and printed materials, as well as Glasheen's notes and workbooks pertaining to her James Joyce scholarship from approximately 1950 to 1980.
SC-013 George Maxwell Blackstock Hawley papers
1870–1940
The papers of George M. B. Hawley, Geneva lawyer and local historian, include notes, correspondence, articles, and other writings by Hawley and others on the history of Geneva, the Finger Lakes region, and Hobart College.
SC-014 Edward Everett (E. E.) Griffith and the Little Theater collection
1946–1995
A collection of Professor E. E. Griffith's personal papers, biographical materials, and materials regarding the Little Theatre, of which he was the Director.
SC-015 Alexander Sloan and Ishbel MacLeish Campbell papers
1901–1996
This collection contains the papers of Alexander Sloan Campbell H '25 and his wife Ishbel MacLeish Campbell. A. S. Campbell taught English at HWS from 1948–1968. His expertise was in Shakespeare and American Literature of the 19th and 20th centuries.
SC-016 Toni Flores papers
1957–1998
This collection contains the personal files and work of Toni Flores. Flores was a professor of Anthropology, Women's Studies, and American Studies at HWS from 1971–1997.
SC-017 Kathryn Dapp Cook papers
1957–1998
The papers of Kathryn Dapp Cook, Prof. of English at HWS from 1942–1979. Cook specialized in the study of James Joyce. Materials include correspondence, lecture notes, and photographs.
SC-018 Theodore Tellefsen (T. T.) and Elizabeth Herendeen Odell collection
1916–2001
Materials relating to Prof. of Biology Theodore T. Odell include correspondence, publications, photographs, newspaper articles, biographical materials, awards, honorary degrees, event programs, and academic memorabilia.
SC-019 Evelyn Tooley Hunt brag books
1952–1988
This collection contains eight "brag books," or scrapbooks, of poet Evelyn Tooley Hunt WS '27, including newspaper clippings, poems, prizes, programs and correspondence from publishers and fans.
SC-020 Scrapbook collection
1846–1986
This collection contains scrapbooks by students and scrapbooks by or for college presidents. Also included are scrapbooks of news clippings, of college history, of college records, of college organizations, of class reunions and news clippings from WWI.
SC-021 Robert Huff papers
1900–1920
The Robert Huff papers contain numerous newspaper articles, letters, magazine articles, and note cards on Elizabeth Smith Miller, Anne Fitzhugh Miller, and the Geneva Political Equality Club from 1900-1920.
SC-022 Elizabeth Willcox Thomson papers
1935–1989
This collection contains the memorabilia and college papers of Elizabeth Willcox Thomson, a 1937 graduate of William Smith College.
SC-023 John Lydenberg collection
1931–2000
Lecture notes, supplementary teaching materials, publications, and biographical information on John Lydenberg, Professor of English.
SC-024 Gladys Moyer Dean papers
1907–1947
This collection contains documents and memorabilia from Gladys Moyer Dean. Dean was a member of the first William Smith Class—the Class of 1912—as Gladys Campbell Moyer.
SC-025 Romana Lashewycz-Rubycz papers
1985–1997
This collection contains the papers of Romana Lashewycz-Rubycz, most of which relate to her time as a professor of inorganic chemistry at HWS. The collection includes research grant proposals, publications, course notes, and handouts.
SC-026 Rosalind A. Daniels papers
1910–1975
A collection of papers belonging to or regarding Rosalind A. Daniels 1918 including event programs, photographs, composition books, class schedules, and textbooks.
SC-027 Geraldine Oyen Steindler papers
1941–1965
A collection of papers of Geraldine Oyen Steindler WS '45 including two photograph albums, a scrapbook, and newspaper clippings.
SC-028 Marianna MacKay Wilkins papers
1924–1987
A collection of papers belonging to or regarding Marianna MacKay Wilkins '28, including programs, cards, bridge tally cards, dance cards and programs, correspondence, articles, photographs, and various memorabilia.
SC-029 Helen Bateman Heath papers
1915–1987
The papers of Helen Bateman Heath, William Smith Dean from 1944–1967, contain personal items and documents related to her work at HWS. Materials include class plans, notes, and examinations from the Western Civilization program.
SC-030 Arch Merrill papers
1837–1972
The Arch Merrill papers contain correspondence and papers related to Merrill's profession as a journalist. He spent a large part of his career working for Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle.
SC-031 Pro Patria collection
1941–1996
Pro Patria was printed for remembrance of those HWS students who died in World War II. This collection has documentation of the process of the making of the Pro Patria publication and includes receipts, correspondences, associated texts, and edited copies.
SC-032 Ralph H. Bullard notebooks
circa 1924
This is a small collection comprised of four notebooks once belonging to Professor of Chemistry Dr. Ralph H. Bullard. The notebooks contain handwritten notes on chemistry. Most of the books are undated.
SC-033 Seneca Lake Waterways Association records
1950–1994
Materials from the Seneca Lake Waterways Association (1950–1979) and the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (1989–1994).
SC-034 William Scandling Memorial Collection
1967–2006
Collection includes memorabilia, posters, photographs, plaques, correspondence, newspaper clippings, awards, certificates, and other material related to trustee William F. Scandling '49.
SC-035 Sigma Phi records
1894–1934
A collection of photographs and papers relating to the Delta Chapter of Sigma Phi fraternity at Hobart College. The papers give a record of financial matters, and date from 1926 to 1934.
SC-036 Helmut Wagner course notebooks
circa 1940–1970
This collection is comprised entirely of the notebooks of Prof. of Sociology Helmut Wagner. There are 272 notebooks in all. Most notebooks contain research on people or topics, mainly related to religion, sociology, and economic social status.
SC-037 Robert E. Doran papers
1917–1968
This collection contains a variety of documents ranging from the time Dr. Robert E. Doran '22 spent in the Navy to his long position on the Board of Trustees of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
SC-038 Durfee family papers
1884–1993
Materials related to Elizabeth R. Durfee (Registrar), Walter Hetherington Durfee (Dean, Provost, Acting President and Professor), William Pitt Durfee (Dean, Acting President and Professor), and Horton K. Durfee, Hobart class of 1949 and WW II veteran.
SC-039 Robert S. Jones papers
1954–2001
The collection is primarily made up of drafts and manuscript versions of Jones' novels "Force of Gravity" (1991) and "Walking on Air" (1995). Also included are notebooks, correspondence, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, loose photographs, and more.
SC-040 Paul Mitchell Dove notebooks
circa 1912–1915
This collection contains the notebooks of Paul Mitchell Dove, class of 1915. Most of the notebooks deal with either chemistry or physics, although one contains notes on philosophy and religion.
SC-041 Joseph J. Myler dime novel collection
1860–1993
The collection contains over 1600 dime novels once belonging to Joseph J. Myler, class of 1919 and member of the Board of Trustees. The novels are almost exclusively those published by Beadle & Adams of New York and Street & Smith of New York from 1860–1936.
SC-042 Geneva Academy collection
1807–1885
This artificial collection contains documents related to Geneva Academy, Fairfield Academy, and the founding of Geneva College.
SC-043 Murray Bartlett papers
1918–1951
The collection contains Murray Bartlett's diary from his time in France in 1918 as a chaplain in the 18th Infantry of the U.S. Army. Also included is a handwritten transcript of the diary done in 1973.
SC-044 James R. Doolittle papers
1832–1962
This collection contains letters between James R. Doolittle 1834 and friends from Geneva College. There are also a few papers and speeches written while at college and during his career, though not while he served as a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.
SC-045 Frances Turgeon Wiggin papers
1911–1985
The collection contains photographs and other memorabilia from Frances Turgeon Wiggin, WS class of 1912. The photographs depict the campus and her fellow classmates, ca. 1908–1912.
SC-046 Theatre collection
1902–1982
The materials in this collection primarily consist of theater programs from productions staged theaters, the majority of which are from theaters in New York City from the 1920s to the late 1950s. Also included are programs from productions staged in theaters at HWS, the Smith Opera House, and other theaters in the Rochester area, the U.S., and around the world.
SC-047 Paul Stambach papers
1961–2014
This collection contains the college memorabilia of Paul Stambach, class of 1969, including two scrapbooks documenting his football career.
SC-048 Charles D. Vail postcard albums
1904–1905
A collection of 8 postcard albums from Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and various places in the U.S. Collected by Prof. Charles D. Vail during his travels from 1904–1905.
SC-049 Valerie Saiving papers
1944–1987
This is a collection of Valerie Saiving's papers that includes her work as a scholar as well as material reflecting her time as a student at the University of Chicago and as a Professor of Religious Studies at HWS from 1959–1987.
SC-050 Theodore Baird correspondence
1938–1980
This small collection contains letters written to Theodore Baird, class of 1921, from classmate George M. Rutter '20 and Professor Herbert Hilarion Yeames. The correspondence to Baird was written over a period from 1938 to 1966.
SC-051 Campus Unrest collection
1968–1975
This collection contains materials related to the tumultuous events of 1968–1970, inspired primarily by student opposition to the Vietnam War. These events include the flag-washing incident, the sit-in protesting the Air Force R.O.T.C. program, the firebombing of the R.O.T.C. office in Sherrill Hall, and the campus drug raid and subsequent standoff with police. Additional materials cover the arrests and trials which followed. Thomas Tongyai (a.k.a. Tommy the Traveler) is a primary figure in many of these events.
SC-052 Frank Noyes Merrill, Jr. papers
circa 1926–1980
This collection contains the memorabilia and photographs of Frank Noyes Merrill, Jr., Hobart College class of 1930.
SC-053 Sill House memorabilia
1939–1993
This collection contains memorabilia and scrapbooks on the history of Sill House from 1939-1993. Included are photographs, stories, and letters that have been compiled into two scrapbooks, the first created in 1955 and an updated version from 1993.
SC-054 Leo Srole papers
1933–1993
The papers of Prof. of Sociology Leo Srole, including notes and correspondence regarding his Ameriton, Ligonier, Geel Project, Midtown Manhattan, and Anomia studies.
SC-055 Warren Hunting Smith papers
1737–1995
This collection contains the papers of Warren Hunting Smith, Hobart & William Smith trustee, editor of the Horace Walpole letters, and grand-nephew of William Smith, founder, most notably his voluminous personal and professional correspondence.
SC-056 Edward A. Knight papers
1944–2005
This collection contains memorabilia from Edward A. Knight's time at Hobart College as a member of the Navy V-12 Unit during WWII, July 1944–June 23, 1945.
SC-057 Don Woodrow papers
1963–1988
The materials in this collection document Don Woodrow's tenure as a faculty member in the Geoscience Department and the department's evolution and growth. Also included are materials documenting larger campus events.
SC-058 George R. Brush papers
1885–1919
Materials of Rev. George R. Brush, class of 1892. Items include high school report cards, a scrapbook including events and newspaper clippings, programs from his time at Hobart College, and more.
SC-059 Michael Opell collection
This collection contains college records of Michael Opell, Hobart College Class of 1959.
SC-060 John Ruskin support materials
1981–2008
These materials are related to research on John Ruskin in support of the Ruskin volumes in our rare book collection. Also included are the Derrick Leon papers, primarily correspondence between Derrick Leon and Greville McDonald regarding letters of Ruskin's.
SC-061 Elizabeth Blackwell support materials
1846–2003
Collection contains a variety of material related to Elizabeth Blackwell including articles written by and about her, newspaper clippings, correspondence, pamphlets, and more. The collection does not contain any of Elizabeth Blackwell's personal papers.
SC-062 Holiday cards from HWS Presidents and Administrators
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circa 1919–2013
This collection contains holiday cards sent from 1919 to 2013 by Hobart and William Smith Colleges presidents, provosts, and other administrators.
SC-063 Feminist Oral History Collection
2001–2003
This collection is comprised of 16 oral history interviews with William Smith College alumnae conducted between 2001 and 2003. The interviews were part of a feminist oral history project for Women's Studies 301.
SC-065 Richard "Doc" Heaton papers
1965–1992
This collection contains the papers of Professor of Religion Richard "Doc" Heaton, and includes materials related to his courses, study abroad programs, campus events, and local social and religious organizations.
SC-066 Daisy Weeks Buchholz papers
1834–2010
This collection contains the family papers of Daisy Weeks Buchholz, WS 1912. The materials cover her time at William Smith College, her marriage to Arthur Buchholz, H 1909, and their subsequent life and family. Items include diaries, correspondence, photographs, and a large collection of genealogical materials assembled by Daisy and Arthur’s daughter, Priscilla Frisbee.
SC-067 Wilson Hinsdale Faude papers
1965–1969
This collection contains items from Wilson Hinsdale Fraude's time at Hobart College including newspaper clippings, photographs, and programs from performances, as well as materials covering the resignation of President Holland and the President Selection Committee.
SC-068 Mumford family papers
1787–1914
This collection is primarily comprised of correspondence between members of the Mumford family and their relatives through several generations. The letters are personal and are largely on everyday topics and life events.
SC-069 Elizabeth Russell correspondence
1951–1955

This small collection contains letters Elizabeth Russell wrote to her parents while attending William Smith College in the 1950s.
SC-070 John McDonald collection
1857–1860
This collection contains the college records of John McDonald (Hobart Class of 1860), including programs, a scrapbook, and his diploma.
SC-071 John E. Kitagawa papers
1968–1972
The materials in this collection consist of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and other materials related to John E. Kitagawa’s anti-war activity while a student at Hobart College.
SC-072 Hobart A.F.R.O.T.C. collection
1951–1971
This collection contains materials covering the United States Air Force R.O.T.C. at Hobart College, which existed from 1951-1970. The materials consist primarily of photographs and newspaper clippings removed from five scrapbooks and several files of correspondence.
SC-073 Elizabeth Blackwell family papers
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1848, 1869–1948
This collection contains publications and letters written by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell. There are also materials related to other members of the Blackwell family.
SC-074 Geneva Medical College collection
1827–1996 (bulk 1834–1845)
This collection is comprised of materials that give an insight into the administration of the Geneva Medical College mostly during its genesis and early years.
SC-075 Adler collection
circa 1891–1923
There are eight photograph albums in this collection on a variety of subjects including posed portraits, family and friends, and travel.
SC-SAGA SAGA Corporation records
1948–1986
The SAGA Corporation records collection contains materials from the SAGA Corporation, a food service organization in operation from 1948 to 1986. SAGA was founded at HWS by three students in 1948.

Special Small Collections

SM-001 George K. Smith papers
1967–1969
George K. Smith was a member of the Hobart College class of 1969.
SM-002 Lucia Lowe papers
1938–1947
Lucia Lowe Wheeler was a member of the William Smith College class of 1942.
SM-003 William Rossiter, Jr. papers
circa 1937–1938
William Rossiter, Jr., was a member of the Hobart College class of 1948.
SM-004 Sarah Loomis and Elizabeth Staino collection
2003–2007
This is a collection of photographs from the class of 2007, organized by Sarah Loomis and Elizabeth Staino.
SM-005 Thomas D. Burrall papers
circa 1865–1872, undated
This collection contains notes and letters from Hobart College Trustee Thomas D. Burrall regarding Hobart College and the Gospel Messenger.
SM-006 James Clarence Jones papers
1878–1931
Rev. James Clarence Jones was an Episcopal minister and member of the Hobart College class of 1886.
SM-007 Pierre G. Vayo papers
1915–1916
Pierre ("Perry" or "Pete") G. Vayo was a member of the Hobart College class of 1919.

College Archives (Record Groups)

RG-00-01 College History (General)—Biographical files
Files contain biographical information on people associated with HWS including alumni/ae, faculty, administrators, guest speakers, and award recipients. There are also files on people of local significance.
RG-01-01 Board of Trustees records—Minutes and Committees
1823–2016
The Board of Trustee records—Minutes and Committees collection contains the agenda, minutes, and other meeting materials of the Board of Trustees including the materials of Board of Trustees committees.
RG-01-02 Board of Trustees records—Directories
1944–2017
The Board of Trustee records—Directories collection contains yearly lists of members of the HWS Board of Trustees.
RG-01-03 Board of Trustees records—Handbooks and By-laws
1908–2010
The Board of Trustees records—Handbooks and By-laws collection contains the handbooks and by-laws of the Colleges as well as charters from various years.
RG-02-05 Elizabeth Blackwell Award records
1958–2015
Files pertaining to the creation of the Elizabeth Blackwell Award in 1958, and its recipients. Includes correspondence, photographs, programs, nominations, news releases, slides, biographical information, and award certificates.
RG-02-09-23 Allan A. Kuusisto papers
1969–2000
The papers of Allan A. Kuusisto, President of HWS from 1970 to 1982, including correspondence, biographical information, Colleges related documents, published materials, photographs, and personal files.
RG-03-02-07 Art and Architecture Department records
1909–2017
This record group contains records from the Art and Architecture Department. The majority of the materials relate to exhibitions held on campus. Materials include invitations, correspondence, posters, programs, and planning documents.
RG-03-02-08 Dance Department records
1987–1990
The two files in this records group contain departmental records, memos, reports, and correspondence. Most of the material is on the subjects of staffing, course development, and department planning.
RG-03-02-09 LGBT Studies records
1991–2007
This Record Group contains files on the creation of the LGBT Studies program in the 1990s. Items include correspondence, notes, syllabi, and proposal documents.
RG-03-02-10 Biology Department records
This record group contains records of the Hobart College Museum, including the museum accession book, ca. 1908–1960, and a card catalog of birds in the museum.
RG-03-02-11 Mathematics and Computer Science Department records
1987–1989
This Record Group contains "The Gradient," the Mathematics and Computer Science department newsletter, from 1987–1989.
RG-03-03-07 Syllabi collection
1946–1987
This record group is a collection of syllabi created by HWS faculty for courses taught at the Colleges between 1946 and 1987. The majority of the syllabi are from courses in the Western Civilization program.
RG-03-04 Library records
1823–2012
This Record Group contains the records of the library at Geneva College, Hobart College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
RG-03-18 Accreditation and Middle States Commission Records
1953–2014
A collection of materials created to support several of the colleges' Self-Studies prepared for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It includes committee reports, surveys of faculty and students, departmental reports as well as miscellaneous items.
RG-04-02-11 Alumni and alumnae information files
1826–1930
This collection contains informational student files created by the HWS Alumni and Alumnae Relations office. The files in this collection cover Geneva College, Hobart College, and William Smith College students who graduated between 1826 and 1930.
RG-04-05 Capital campaign records
1981–2012
Capital campaigns are designed to raise money for the endowment, for scholarships, and for specific building and renovation projects. This record group contains materials from the 1984, 1994, and 2006 HWS capital campaigns.
RG-04-06 Geneva Scholarship Associates records
1968–1994
The Geneva Scholarship Associates was created ca. 1967–1968 to supplement funds, or scholarship aid, already available at HWS in order to enable worthy high school graduates residing within Geneva to attend the Colleges.
RG-04-09 Assistant Director of Development records
circa 1953–1990
This collection contains the papers of Edith O. Rapalee, class of 1945. The papers primarily date from her time as Assistant Director of Development.
RG-06 Office of Communications records
circa 1930–2000
This Record Group includes 39 boxes of photographs and files pertaining to college events ca. 1930–2000.
RG-08-01 William Smith College Dean's Office records
1914–2014
Materials from the William Smith Dean's Office include newsletters, correspondence, matriculation lists, event programs and invitations, materials related to the honor societies Hai Timiai and the Laurel Society, Dean's reports, and more.
RG-08-02 Hobart College Dean's Office records
1959–2016
This Record Group contains records from the Hobart Dean's Office, including programs from yearly events, newsletters, matriculation lists signed at Orientation, and information on honor societies.
RG-09-05 WEOS records
1946–2006
Collection includes pamphlets, scrapbook pages, correspondence, programs, schedule guides, playlists, posters, calendars, scripts, promotions, news releases, and newspaper clippings from the Colleges' radio station WEOS.
RG-09-06-04 Fraternity records
1844–2006
Records from and information on Hobart College fraternities, some of which are now defunct.
RG-09-06-05 Student publications
1852–2013
This Record Group contains HWS student publications. Many of these publications were short-lived, only producing a handful of issues. A few publications, however, had longer runs.
RG-10 Office of Religious Life records
1861–2015
RG 10 contains the records of the Office of Religious Life, which encompasses the Chaplain's Office and the Abbe Center for Jewish Life. The majority of these materials were given to the Archives by the Chaplain's Office sometime around 1994.
RG-11 Finance and Treasurer records
1816–1938
This record group contains early financial records of the Colleges.
RG-14-01 Athletics records—Sports
1886–2017
This record group contains information and materials about sports and teams at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
RG-14-02 Athletics records—Associations and Awards
1894–2017
This record group contains documents from the Statesmen Athletic Association, the Heron Society, and other Hobart and William Smith Colleges athletics associations as well as materials related to awards that these and other groups have bestowed upon indivduals and teams.