Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Gerald H. Chapman papers

Special Collections and Archives

Gerald H. Chapman papers

You are here

Special Collections and Archives

Gerald H. Chapman papers

You are here

  • Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
  • Title: Gerald H. Chapman papers
  • Inclusive Date(s): 1912-1961
  • Author: Finding aid prepared by Tess Hamilton
  • Creation: Finding aid encoded by Tess Hamilton using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2017
  • Origination: Chapman, Gerald H., 1902-1965
  • Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 document case)
  • Physical Location: 11th floor
  • Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0180
  • Abstract: This collection, dating from 1912-1961, is comprised of correspondence to Gerald H. Chapman and photographs of buildings, staff and events from Kent State University. The collection also includes a small number of items that belonged to Gerald Chapman's brother Herman, who was a student at the Kent State Training School.
  • Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Gerald H. Chapman

Gerald Howard Chapman was born on June 3, 1902 in Kent, Ohio. He was one of the first students enrolled in Kent's Teacher Training School in 1913 and graduated from Kent Normal High School in 1921. He then attended Kent State Normal College, graduating with a degree in education, and a specialization in math and science, in 1925. Chapman went on to earn a Master's degree in education from Ohio State University. He came back to Kent State as a faculty member in 1929 as a teacher at the Training School and became an associate professor of chemistry at the University in 1938. His wife, Vera Chapman, was a faculty member at the Teacher Training School and their daughter, Vera Melinda (Linda) Chapman was a student at the University. During his tenure, Chapman was actively involved on campus and served as senior class adviser, chairman of the commencement committee and a trustee of Delta Phi Sigma. The Atomic Energy Commission invited Chapman to observe testing of the atomic bomb at the Nevada Proving Grounds in 1953. He became one of the 16 radiological defense officers for the state of Ohio. Gerald H. Chapman died in 1965 at the age of 62.

Scope and Content

The Gerald H. Chapman papers primarily consist of his professional correspondence and photographs. Included are a small number of items that belonged to his younger brother Herman Chapman. Materials date from 1912-1961. In 1945, Gerald Chapman regularly presented a history of Kent State at University banquets, from which a number of photographs in this collection originated.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is organized into three series: 1. The Gerald H. Chapman papers, 2. Herman Chapman papers, and 3. Photographs.

Preferred Citation

Gerald H. Chapman papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Vivian (Favors) Garl, a former student of the Chapman’s, donated the Gerald H. Chapman papers in the 1970’s.

Controlled-access Headings
The following topics are found in this collection:

  • Subjects:
  • Chapman, Gerald H., 1902-1965 -- Archives
  • Kent State University -- History -- Photographs
  • Kent State University -- History
  • Laboratory schools -- Ohio -- Kent -- History
  • Kent State Normal College -- Photographs
  • Kent State University. Teacher Training School -- Photographs
  • Organizations/Corporations:
  • Kent Normal High School
  • Kent State Normal College
  • Kent State University
  • Kent State Normal School
  • Kent State University. Teacher Training School
  • Functions:
  • College teaching
  • Occupations:
  • College teachers
  • Material Types:
  • Photographs
  • School yearbooks
  • Correspondence
  • Business correspondence


Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Gerald Chapman papers, 1948-1961
  • Scope and Content
  • This series primarily includes correspondence that Gerald Chapman received from faculty and students at Kent State University while he was senior class adviser.
  • Box 1 / Folder 1
  • Booklet: Senior class gifts from 1928-1961, 1948-1961
  • Scope and Content
  • The list was started in 1948, but backdates the class gifts to 1921. The list spans from 1921-1961.
  • Box 1 / Folder 2
  • Correspondence: President Bowman to class officer Owen McCafferty, July 12, 1949
  • Scope and Content
  • Receipt of class gift
  • Box 1 / Folder 3
  • Correspondence: President Bowman to Mr. Berg, December 20, 1949
  • Scope and Content
  • Gift of money
  • Box 1 / Folder 4
  • Correspondence: Class president Vince Herst to President Bowman, June 28, 1951
  • Scope and Content
  • Gift fund letter
  • Box 1 / Folder 5
  • Correspondence: Paul C. Kitchin Jr. to Dr. Chapman, June 6, 1952
  • Scope and Content
  • Junior class debt
  • Box 1 / Folder 6
  • Correspondence: Senior class memorial committee, 1952
  • Scope and Content
  • Memorial gift list
  • Box 1 / Folder 7
  • Correspondence: Senior class president Marion Moser to President Bowman, June 3, 1954
  • Scope and Content
  • Senior class gift
  • Box 1 / Folder 8
  • Correspondence: Class President Harris F. Brown Jr. to President Bowman, June 6, 1955
  • Scope and Content
  • Senior class gift
  • Box 1 / Folder 9
  • Correspondence: Glen T. Nygreen to Dr. Chapman, undated
  • Scope and Content
  • Engraving bill

Series 2: Herman Chapman papers, 1919-1924
  • Scope and Content
  • This series contains materials from Gerald Chapman's younger brother, Herman Chapman. He also attended the Kent State Training School.
  • Box 1 / Folder 10
  • Handmade Yearbook: "Kent State Normal College, 8th grade", 1919
  • Box 1 / Folder 11
  • Yearbook: Kent State Normal High School, 1922
  • Box 1 / Folder 12
  • Kent State Normal College Quarterly: A Course In The Study Of Birds and Insects, 1924
  • Scope and Content
  • This item belonged to Harold L. Hulme and has notes written in the margins. It was in the possession of Herman Chapman.

Series 3: Photographs, 1913-1956

Sub-Series 1: Buildings and Grounds, 1913-1949
  • Scope and Content
  • This series contains photographs of various campus buildings, and construction of the athletic fields and tennis court.
  • Box 1 / Folder 13
  • Photograph: College Farm, Man in field of barley, 1927
  • Box 1 / Folder 14
  • Photograph: College Farm, West, 1927
  • Box 1 / Folder 15
  • Photograph: Construction along unidentified roadway, undated
  • Scope and Content
  • Possibly part of or related to athletic field construction.
  • Box 1 / Folder 16
  • Photograph: Franklin Hall and McGilvrey Hall, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 17
  • Photograph: Lowry Hall, under construction, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 18
  • Photograph: Lowry Hall, view from unpaved Hilltop Drive, 1913
  • Box 1 / Folder 19
  • Photograph: Lowry Hall, view from Front Campus, 1914
  • Box 1 / Folder 20
  • Photograph: Lowry Hall, view from Front Campus, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 21
  • Photograph: McGilvrey Hall, front, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 22
  • Photograph: McGilvrey Hall, front, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 23
  • Photograph: McGilvrey Hall, front, Winter 1948-1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 24
  • Photograph: McGilvrey Hall, back, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 25
  • Photograph: Merrill Hall, Summer 1913
  • Scope and Content
  • Helen Atkinson sitting on steps.
  • Box 1 / Folder 26
  • Photograph: Merrill Hall, front, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 27
  • Photograph: Merrill Hall, view from Hilltop Drive, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 28
  • Photograph: Merrill Hall, under construction, 1913
  • Box 1 / Folder 29
  • Photograph: Stockdale building, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 30
  • Photograph: Stockdale building, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 31
  • Photograph: Stopher Dorm, under construction, November 1948
  • Box 1 / Folder 32
  • Photograph: Tennis Courts, view from the Northeast, August 30, 1941
  • Box 1 / Folder 33
  • Photograph: Tennis Courts, lightning strike, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 34
  • Photograph: Tennis Courts, under construction, 1941
  • Box 1 / Folder 35
  • Photograph: William A. Cluff Teacher Training School, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 36
  • Photograph: William A. Cluff Teacher Training School, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 37
  • Photograph: Wooded area, future site of Applied Arts Building, 1930
  • Box 1 / Folder 38
  • Negative: Unidentified construction featuring bulldozers and people, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 39
  • Photograph: Unidentified road, 1913

Sub-Series 2: Kent State Normal College and the Teacher Training School, 1913-1937
  • Scope and Content
  • This sub-series contains photographs of student life from the Kent State Normal College and the William A. Cluff Teacher Training School.
  • Box 1 / Folder 40
  • Photograph: First graduating class with President McGilvrey, 1914
  • Box 1 / Folder 41
  • Photograph: First graduating class reunion, 1937
  • Box 1 / Folder 42
  • Photograph: Outside assembly, 1915
  • Box 1 / Folder 43
  • Photograph: Outdoor class, Merrill Hall, 1913
  • Box 1 / Folder 44
  • Photograph: Outdoor class observation, Merrill Hall, 1913
  • Box 1 / Folder 45
  • Photograph: Students in Lowry Hall dining room, 1913
  • Box 1 / Folder 46
  • Photograph: Students and teachers on the 2nd floor floor of the library, Merrill Hall, 1914
  • Box 1 / Folder 47
  • Photograph: Student performance, 1915
  • Box 1 / Folder 48
  • Photograph: Student performance, 1915
  • Box 1 / Folder 49
  • Photograph: Summer school assembly, 1914
  • Scope and Content
  • This is from the first summer school session held in the Tabernacle.
  • Box 1 / Folder 50
  • Photograph: Summer school class photo, 1915

Sub-Series 3: Faculty, Staff and Events, 1916-1956
  • Scope and Content
  • This sub-series contains photographs of Kent State staff members and various University events.
  • Box 1 / Folder 51
  • Photograph: Allyn, Dean Arden L., Business, 1947
  • Box 1 / Folder 52
  • Photograph: Atkinson, Charles and Benjamin McGinnis, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 53
  • Photograph: Begala, Joe, Wrestling Coach, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 54
  • Photograph: Berg, Emil, Business Manager, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 55
  • Photograph: Bowman, President George, presenting Hearst award, July 1956
  • Box 1 / Folder 56
  • Photograph: Bowman, President George, presenting military medal, July 1956
  • Box 1 / Folder 57
  • Photograph: Bowman, President George and Former President Leebrick, Raymond Clark and Raymond Manchester, July 1956
  • Box 1 / Folder 58
  • Photograph: Bowman, President George and Colonel Thomas Wall, 1949
  • Scope and Content
  • At an ROTC award ceremony.
  • Box 1 / Folder 59
  • Photograph: Clark, Raymond, Head of the Graduate School, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 60
  • Photograph: Cunningham, Harry A., Biology, 1947
  • Box 1 / Folder 61
  • Photograph: Doyle, Peter W. and Edwin F. Moulton, Board of Trustees, 1916
  • Scope and Content
  • They are pictured in a horse drawn carriage.
  • Box 1 / Folder 62
  • Photograph: Graduation processional, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 63
  • Photograph: Graduation, various military members, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 64
  • Photograph: Grecni, Marilyn, Majorette, 1948
  • Box 1 / Folder 65
  • Photograph: Hudson, Hersel W., Economics, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 66
  • Photograph: Manchester, Raymond E., Dean of Men, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 67
  • Photograph: Manchester, Raymond E. and Larry Wooddell with the ROTC flag, 1948
  • Box 1 / Folder 68
  • Photograph: McGilvrey, President John, oil portrait, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 69
  • Photograph: McGilvrey, President John, and wife, 1940
  • Box 1 / Folder 70
  • Photograph: Munzenmayer, Lester, Director of the Bureau of Appointments, July 1956
  • Box 1 / Folder 71
  • Photograph: Palmer, Maurice, Physics, 1949
  • Box 1 / Folder 72
  • Photograph: Roberts, A. Sellew, History, 1948
  • Box 1 / Folder 73
  • Photograph: Satterfield, Chester E., English, undated
  • Box 1 / Folder 74
  • Photograph: Stewart, Alfred W., Secondary Education, 1948
  • Box 1 / Folder 75
  • Photograph: Van Deusen, Clinton, in front of Kent Hall, 1916
  • Box 1 / Folder 76
  • Photograph: Wall, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas, with ROTC, 1947
  • Box 1 / Folder 77
  • Photograph: Woodell, Lawrence, Superintendent of Maintenance, undated
Follow Special Collections and Archives

Support Special Collections and Archives

Kent State University Home
© 2024 Kent State University Libraries All rights reserved.