Title: Ellen N. Lawson Papers, 1963-1993, 2011

ID: RG 30/193

Extent: 3.8 Linear Feet

Ellen NicKenzie Lawson (b. 1944) earned the B.A. degree from Swarthmore College (1966), the M.A.T. degree from Wesleyan University (1969), and the Ph.D. degree in American history from Case Western Reserve University (1977).

During the fall months of 1970 Lawson, along with four female students and one other math faculty wife, Cheryl Stevenson, lobbied senior administration for the first women's history course at Oberlin College. (Roberta Miller taught the first women's history course that spring semester.) At one point Lawson was a part-time instructor in the Oberlin College Department of History (1974-75), and taught a course that surveyed the history of 19th century American women. In the spring of 1974 Lawson was an interim special consultant to the Academic Dean responsible for the development of the Women's Studies program (between the departure of Associate Dean Zara Wilkenfeld and the arrival of Associate Dean Paula Goldsmid) in an effort to establish a more permanent women's studies program.

Ellen NicKenzie Lawson's interests in women's history, including African-American women, led her to establish, along with Marlene D. Merrill, the Women's History Project. In 1980, Lawson and Merrill spoke about their research on three women (later called “The Three Sarahs”) at Harvard University's Bunting Institute. Assisted by Marlene D. Merrill, Lawson wrote The Three Sarahs: Documents of Antebellum Black College Women (1984). In addition, Lawson's work with the Women's History Project led her to write an autobiography of Mary Elizabeth Johnston, educator and librarian (A.B. 1913, issued in 1937), titled Across the Stage: An Extra Clap (1983), which was distributed to 30,000 Oberlin alumni.

In addition to her teaching and writing activities at Oberlin, Lawson served as Assistant Academic Dean (1978-80) under Robert Longsworth, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1980, Ann Fuller (formerly wed to Oberlin College president Robert W. Fuller) and Ellen Lawson prepared a five-page questionnaire, which was sent to 120 Oberlin faculty wives who were involved at the College in the early 1970s. An interpretative summary of this report, "The faculty spouse and the women's movement," appeared in the faculty and staff newspaper, Observer, vol. 4:16 (28 April 1983), page 5. (The survey responses are in the Oberlin College Archives). In 1982 Lawson organized the first Midwest Regional Conference on Black Women's History for the Organization of American History (OAH). The conference was hosted by Oberlin College.

Lawson was also involved in the Oberlin community as a board member for the Oberlin Early Childhood Center and for the local chapter (Oberlin) of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Lawson served in other capacities outside of Oberlin. From 1980 to 1992, she worked as a free-lance writer, historian, and archivist in Northern Ohio. In 1987, she wrote an article titled "The Fathers of Photography: The Brothers Langenheim,” published in Pennsylvania Heritage, vol. 13:4 (Fall 1987), and donated slides of Langenheim daguerreotypes (1840-50) to the Oberlin College Archives. She also taught African-American history courses at Cuyahoga Community College and served as a Visiting Professor of African-American History at Cleveland State University. From 1992 to 1996, Ellen N. Lawson taught history at a number of institutions throughout Ohio, Washington, and Oregon.

At mid-life, Lawson switched from history to the visual arts and became a painter. She studied art for two years, 1996-98, at Clatsop College in Astoria, Oregon. Later, she took courses at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire, and the Corcoran School in Washington, D.C., and taught art at Corcoran Summer Camp and at Grymes Memorial School in Orange, Virginia. She also has held solo art shows. During the 2001-02 academic year she served as Adjunct Faculty at Germanna Community College, and taught history and economics at Liberty High 9chool in Fauquier County, Virginia, 2002-04. In addition, she taught African-American history in Coffeewood Prison.

Michael G. Henle (Swarthmore '65; Professor of Math, Oberlin College, 1970- ) and Ellen N. Lawson are the parents of Alea Henle of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Josh Medley of Boulder, Colorado.

For additional biographical information researchers should consult the curriculum vitae of Ellen N. Lawson, 2004.

Sources Consulted

Roland M. Baumann, editor, Guide to the Women’s History Sources in the Oberlin College Archives (Oberlin, OH: Oberlin College, 1990).

Curriculum vitae of Ellen Lawson, 2004.

Subjects (links to similar collections)

Forms of Material (links to similar genres)

Languages of Materials

Administrative Information

Scope and Contents:

The Ellen N. Lawson Papers consist of Project and Research Files, including the Langenheim Daguerreotypes Research Files, Oral Histories of African-Americans, and the National City Bank Research Files. The collection also contains Women’s Studies Historical Files, including an interview with Hope Hibbard (audio cassette), Oberlin Faculty Wives Survey, and Barbara Seaman Correspondence; files relating to the Women’s Studies program at Oberlin College. Published and unpublished writings of Lawson, including “Children of the Amistad” (1989), “A History of Banking in Cleveland” (1994), and a number of articles written for a variety of publications are included in this collection.

The collection is divided into seven series: 1. Project and Research Files, 2. Women’s Studies Historical Files (certain files are restricted as noted by an asterisk on the inventory), 3. Files Relating to the Women’s Studies Program at Oberlin, 4. Writings (Published and Unpublished), 5. Oral History Interviews, 6. Correspondence, and 7. Copy Negatives.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series 1. Project and Research Files, 1974-93, 2011 (2.0 l.f.)

This series consists of the project and research files of Ellen N. Lawson. It is divided into three subseries: the Langenheim Daguerreotypes Research Files*, the National City Bank Research Files*, and Oral Histories of African-Americans*. The oral histories contain interviews by students (both transcripts and commentaries), “Moving On” (both research files and unpublished manuscript), audio tape interviews conducted by students, and videotape interviews conducted by students. Some files are restricted as noted on the inventory with an asterisk (*).

Series 2. Women’s Studies Historical Files * (RESTRICTED), 1972-84 (0.4 l.f.)

This series contains Women’s Studies historical files from the Schlesinger Library Transfer. There are copies of the Barbara Seaman Correspondence, 1978-79, documents regarding Women’s Studies at Oberlin College, 1973-83, documents pertaining to the Oberlin Early Childhood Center, 1974-80, Oberlin Faculty Wives Survey Questionnaires*, and an audio cassette interview with Hope Hibbard, 1984. Two files are restricted.

Series 3. Files Relating to Women’s Studies Program at Oberlin, 1968-87 (0.2 l.f.)

This series consists of documents pertaining to the Women’s Studies program at Oberlin College, 1968-87, including the Leah Freed Women’s Studies Memorial Prize, 1984-87, Oberlin Women Scholars notes, 1968-72, Recommendations, 1977-87, Special Consultant to Co-ordinate Women’s Studies, 1974, and miscellaneous Women’s Studies papers, 1975-87.

Series 4. Writings (Published and Unpublished), 1963-94 (1.10 l.f.)

This series is divided into three subseries: 1. Writings General, 2. Writings in Northeast Ohio Publications, and 3. Writings by Location/Region. A representative sample includes, “Against Fearful Odds: Clara Barton and American Philanthropy” (Ph.D. Dissertation, 1978), “Children of the Amistad,” 1989, Lenten Meditations, 1982-88, “Sarah Woodson Early: 19th Century Black Nationalist Sister,” 1981, New Cleveland Woman articles, 1988, Plain Dealer articles, 1987-92, Sun Press articles, 1987-90, writings from New Hampshire, 1978, writings from Oberlin, Ohio, 1979-84, and writings from Washington, D.C., 1976. All writings are contained within a single box. One file is restricted. See also Series 1, Subseries 1 for additional writings.

Series 5. Oral History Interviews, 1990 (0.10 l.f.)

This series contains an interview with George Langeler conducted in 1990.

Series 6. Correspondence, 1983-1992, 1996 (2 folders)

This series consists of two folders of correspondence with professional colleagues. One of these folders includes correspondence between Ellen Lawson and Peter Buckingham, Professor and History Chair at Linfield College (McMinnville, Oregon) and a student, April Davis, concerning her paper for a Women in U.S. History course.

Series 7. Copy Negatives, ca. 1980s (1 folder)

Comprises 3 sheets of 78 copy negatives of historical photographs and documents.

INVENTORY

Series 1. Project and Research Files, 1974-93, 2011, 2.0 l.f.

Subseries 1. Langenheim Daguerreotypes Research Files

Box 1

Langenheim Daguerreotypes Research Files

Correspondence (Incoming), 1983-87

Correspondence (Outgoing), 1984-90

Ellen Lawson, geborene Langenheim, aus Loveland,

Colorado, USA, ist stolz auf ihre Familienwurzeln,

by Hans-Günter Appuhn, photos from the

collection of Ellen Lawson, April 2011

Legal Documents, 1983 (copies 1931, 1956)

Research (copies), 1974-1983

Pennsylvania Arts and Sciences, vol. IV, no. 1, 1939;

vol. V, 1941 (2f)

Pennsylvania Heritage, vol. XIII, Fall 1987 (incls.: cover

story "Fathers of Modern Photography: The

Brothers Langenheim", correspondence

and footnotes)

Slides – collection sold to Rinehart, 1983 (2f)* (Restricted)

Slides of daguerreotypes not sold to Rinehart* (Restricted)

Subseries 2. National City Bank Research Files

Box 2

National City Bank Research Files

Chapters 1-3, 1991 (3f)

Research, 1991* (Restricted)

Research: A Century of Progress, 1945

Publications, 1989-91

Hagley Museum (Business History), 1988-91

Subseries 3. Oral Histories of African-Americans* (restricted)

Box 3

Oral Histories of African-Americans*

"Moving On" Unpublished Manuscript, 1993

"Moving On" Research Files (incls. signed

releases, student papers, notes, etc.) 1992 (5f)

Box 4

Interviews by Students (Transcripts & Commentaries)*

(Alphabetical by Subject of Interview)

Allen, Bettye, 1992

Antoine, Juanita L., 1992

Arrington, Shirley McCallister, 1992

Baker, Mary E., 1992

Banks, Marietta, 1992

Barnes, Marion J., 1992

Benton, J.T., 1992

Blankenship, Edward Franklin, 1992

Boddie, Betty H., 1992

Bond, Jr., Dr. Roger, 1992

Booker, Lulu, 1992

Cannon, Tommie Louise, 1992

Carter, Beulah, 1992

Caves, Hubert, 1992

Ceasor, Ebraska Dalton, 1992

Charles, Ivory, 1992

Clark, Sr., Alonzo A., 1992

Cloud, Barbara A., 1992

Coleman, David A., 1992

Cooper, Willie, 1992

Copeland, Henry, 1992

Crenshaw, Nettie L., 1992

Croocket, Alice Louise, 1992

Davis, Corrine Whitehead, 1992

Davis, Rev Kessler, 1992

Dozier, Sister Anna, 1992

Foy, Mrs., 1992

Gannon, James T., 1992

Gibson, Jimmy Lee, 1992

Glenn, Hershel and Callella, 1992

Hall, Mrs. Rita, 1992

Harris, Sr., Eddie C., 1992

Hines, Edward, 1992

Hopkins, Milton, 1992

Jamison, Lt. Col. Clarence C., 1992

Jefferson, Florie, 1992

Johnson, Dorothy, 1992

Jones, Mary Emma, 1992

King, Emery, 1992

King, Frank Douglas, 1992

Lewis, Keith, 1992

Love, J.T., 1992

Matthews, Ruthie, 1992

McGant, Arthur F., 1992

Menefee, Thomas Clark, 1992

Mitchell, Vernon and Alice, 1992

Moore, Mrs. Ann Duncan, 1992

Morrow, Adell Forthner, 1992

Mullins, Deacon Coleman, 1992

Newsome, William Noah, 1992

Oliver, James, 1992

Paige, Betty, 1992

Pointer, Geraldine, 1992

Powell, Betty Jo, 1992

Purdue, Leonard, 1992

Ragland, James, 1992

Reed, Lottie, 1992

Reid, James R., 1992

Ruffin, Elizabeth, Mary, and Rebecca, 1992

Seay, Charles, 1992

Smith, James Howard, 1992

Stegall, Sr., Roland, 1992

Stovall, Louis, 1992

Surell, Paul J., 1992

Terry, Lula, 1992

Wells, Willie Louise, 1992

West, James Lawrence, 1992

Wilson, Earl, 1992

Wimberly, Israel, 1992

[no last name], Frank, 1992

Box 5

Audiotape Interviews by Students (Cassette)

Coleman, Eva, n.d.

Hall, Rita (w/ Kim Chrosniak),

22 February 1992

McBean (?), Gertrude (w/ Peymanch

Nakoogan), n.d.

Unidentified tape, n.d.

Computer Discs (Floppy)

Discs (21) [format unspecified, contains

text of interviews]

Box 6

Videotape Interviews by Students (VHS)

(Alphabetical by Subject of Interview)

Bailey, Addie, 1992

Gates, Audrey, 1992

Gleason, Louis A, n.d.

Hawje, Kenny (Tony Maniglia), n.d.

Lewis, Addie, 1992

Mayer, Mary P, 1992

McCreary, Pastor, 1992

Roscoe, James, 1992

Smith, W., 1992

Stokes, Congressman Louis B., 1992

Wright, Rev. Joseph, 1992

Women in Lorain, Ohio, 1992

Biographical information on interviewees

Series 2. Women's Studies Historical Files* (restricted), 1972-84, 0.4 l.f.

Box 1

Women's Studies Historical Files (Schlesinger Library Transfer)

Barbara Seaman Correspondence (Copies), 1978-79

Status of Women at Oberlin College, 1972-82

Women's Studies at Oberlin College, 1973-83

Work on Matilda Joslyn Gage, 1974-75

Oberlin Early Childhood Center, 1974-80

Oberlin Early Childhood Center (minutes &

reports), 1978-80

Oberlin Early Childhood Center, Alverta Smith

Interview, 1979

Oberlin Faculty Wives Survey, 1980

Oberlin Faculty Wives Survey Questionnaires (2f)*

Mary Elizabeth Johnston, 1982

Hope Hibbard Interview (incl. cassette), 1984 (2f)

Series 3. Files Relating to Women's Studies Program at Oberlin, 1968-87, 0.2 l.f.

Box 1

Files Relating to Women's Studies Program at Oberlin

Leah Freed Women's Studies Memorial Prize,

1984-87

Oberlin Women Scholars (notes), 1968-72 (3f)

Recommendations, 1977-87

Special Consultant to Co-ordinate Women's

Studies, 1974

Women's Studies (Miscellaneous Papers),

1975-87

Series 4. Writings (Published and Unpublished), 1963-92, 1.10 l.f.

Subseries 1. Writings, General

Box 1

Writings (Published and Unpublished)

"Across a Stage: The Extra Clap" (Mary Elizabeth

Johnston), 1983 (7 copies)

Mary Johnston Research (incl. photographs), 1982

"Against the Fearful Odds: Clara Barton and American

Philanthropy" (Ph.D. dissertation), 1978

Clara Barton Articles and Research, 1978-91

"The Antebellum 'Talented Thousandth,'" 1983 (3 copies)

"Cape Cod Child" (Childhood in Poems), 1988

"Children of the Amistad", 1988-89

Marketing, 1987-89

Treatment, 1987

"Cookies, Whales, and Turtle Tales" (Children’s Book),

1986 (2 copies)

Original Illustrations by Ann Olson, 1986

Research and Background, 1963-1991

"A History of Banking in Cleveland," 1994 (Acc. 1995/10)

Instructor Magazine, 1987-88

Lenten Meditations, 1982-88

The Majority Finds Its Past (reference to ENL), 1979

Ms. for Children (Margru, Stanton, Woodson,

Stanley), 1988-89

"Moving On" SEE: Series 1. Research Files, Subseries 3

Organization of American Historians Newsletter, 1989-90

Religious Publications, 1987-89

"Sarah Woodson Early: 19th Century Black Nationalist

Sister" (UMOJA), 1981

Screen Treatments, 1985-90

"The Strange Case of Delia Webster" (Play), 1988

Study Guide ("From Slavery to Freedom), 1990*

Swarthmore Alumni Issue, 1971

The Three Sarahs (reviews, misc.), 1980-88

Subseries 2. Writings in Northeast Ohio Publications

Box 1 (cont.)

Writings in Northeast Ohio Publications

Case Western Reserve Alumni Magazine Articles,

1986-87

Crain's Cleveland Business Articles, 1987

MacNewletter, 1988

Mid American Boating Articles, 1988

New Cleveland Woman Articles, 1988

Plain Dealer Articles, 1987-92

Spectrum (Lorain County Arts Council), 1987-88

Sun Press Articles, 1987-90

Freelance Brochure, c.1987

Miscellaneous Articles, 1988-89

Subseries 3. Writings by Location/Region

Box 1 (cont.)

Writings by Location/Region

Falmouth, Massachusetts, 1981

New Hampshire, 1978

Oberlin, Ohio, 1979-84

Seattle, Washington, 1985-86

Washington, D.C., 1976

Series 5. Oral History Interviews, 1990, 0.10 l.f.

Box 1 (cont.)

Oral History Interviews

George Langeler Interview, 1990 (2f)

SEE ALSO: Series 1. Research Files, Subgroup 3

Series 2. Women’s Studies Historical File

Series 6. Correspondence, 1983-1992, 1996 (2 folders)

Box 1 (cont.)

Buckingham, Peter H., 1996

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1983-1992

Series 7. Copy Negatives, ca. 1980s (1 folder)

Box 1 (cont.)

Copy negatives (78) of historical photographs and documents, ca. 1980s