Ronald F. Kingsley papers

Finding Aid

Prepared by Kim M. Carey, December 3, 2002; Last Updated: December 2020

Inclusive Dates: 1986-2002
Extent: 1 cubic foot (1 record storage box)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Biographical Note: Ronald F. Kingsley completed his undergraduate education at Middlebury College in 1954 with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. After graduation, Kingsley attended New York Medical College for two years before transferring to Syracuse University where he obtained a M.S. in School Psychology. In 1959, Kingsley entered Syracuse University's School of Education, where he was awarded his doctorate in 1963. Kingsley taught in the Education Department at Kent State University for twenty-seven years (1963-1990). While teaching at Kent State, he obtained a Masters Degree in Archeology/Anthropology and a second Masters in American history/American studies. Kingsley has published well over a hundred journal articles in his combined fields. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Schenectady County Community College where he teaches courses in community archaeology.

Historical Note: Prior to his retirement from Kent State University, Kingsley began excavation at the two sites documented in this collection. His work is valuable because scholars have limited information regarding the early industries that accompanied the growth of the Western Reserve. Settlers in this region faced the necessity of developing industries that would supply them with basic necessities. Both the lime burning kiln and the powder mill are representative of that early industrial growth.

When Kingsley began work at Chestnut Grove, the site was in imminent danger of being lost to erosion. He obtained the necessary permits and quickly began work to recover as much information as possible before the remains washed down the hillside. The Powder Mill site is the remains of a family owned business that was part of the regional economic development. As part of the research for the Powder Mill site, Kingsley performed extensive genealogical research, documenting the family that owned the powder mill, tracing their roots from Connecticut to Ohio.

Scope and Content: Kingsley's papers document archeological research, and the creation of manuscripts for corresponding journal articles, at two sites in northeast Ohio. The Chestnut Grove site is located in Ashtabula County and the Powder Mill site is located in Portage County.

At the Chestnut Grove site, Kingsley excavated a long-forgotten lime burning kiln. The evidence unearthed there provided material for a journal article titled "Rescue Excavation of an Early 19th Century Lime Burning Kiln at Geneva State Park, Ashtabula County, Ohio," published in the North American Archeologist (V. 14, #1,1993). This series includes geological maps, field logs, an archeological site inventory, correspondence, photographs, a manuscript draft and a completed manuscript documenting research at the Chestnut Grove site.

The Powder Mill site is located in Franklin Township, between the cities of Kent and Ravenna, in Portage County, Ohio. The excavation at this site formed the basis for another journal article published in the North American Archeologist, (V.22, #3, 2001) titled "The Gillette Brothers and the Mid Nineteenth Century Powder Mill, Portage County, Ohio: An Entrepreneurship Presaging the Industrial Era." This series contains maps, a field log, an archeological inventory, research materials, correspondence, site photographs, and an extensive genealogy of the Gillette family.

Description of Series:

• Ronald F. Kingsley, resume
• Chestnut Grove Site
• Powder Mill Site

Aquisition Note: The materials in this collection were donated to the Kent State University Archives by Dr. Ronald F. Kingsley, Professor Emeritus at Kent State University.

Box 1
Folder -- Contents

Series 1 -- Resume

1. Ronald F. Kingsley, resume

Series 2 -- Chestnut Grove Site

2. Correspondence: October 1, 1986 to March 4, 1988
3. Geologic Information
4. Maps
5. Field Notes
6. Artifact Records
7. Photographs
8. Research Notes and Materials
9. Financial Papers
10. Correspondence regarding publication of the Chestnut Grove manuscript
11. Final copy of Journal Article and artwork proofs
12. Manuscript: Chestnut Grove Site

Series 3 -- Powder Mill Site

13. Correspondence: June 6, 1990 to September 17, 2000
14. Correspondence: September 19, 2000 to May 2002
15. Financial information
16. Maps
17. Field Log: 1
18. Field Log: 2
19. Archeological inventory
20. Photographs
21. Research Materials
22. Research Materials
23. Research Materials
24. Research Materials
25. Research Materials
26. Research Materials
27. Manuscript Draft
28. Journal Article Proofs