Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (O.H.I.O.) Records, 1903-2005
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This record group, consisting of three subgroups, documents the activities and efforts of Oberlin citizens to improve the town and to preserve its history. The first two subgroups represent the records of the predecessor organizations which merged to form O.H.I.O. in 1964.
Subgroup I contains the records of the Oberlin Village Improvement Society which was extant from 1903 to 1964. Dating from 1909 to 1964, important record series are: constitution and by-laws, 1911-1943; minutes, 1903-1964 (not complete); correspondence, 1909-1956; treasurer's records, 1903-1964, and records of the Oberlin Park Board, 1911-1942. These files document Adelia Field Johnston's role and the Society's early plans for town improvement. The records of the three organizations which merged with the Society in 1915: Oberlin Christian Union, Mutual Benefit Association, and Associated Charities of Oberlin, are maintained as independent collections in Record Group 31.
Included in subgroup II, Oberlin Historical Society are documents centered around the historical properties the Society sought to preserve. Records date from the inception of the organization in 1958 to its subsequent merger as part of O.H.I.O. in 1964. Among the important series are constitution and by-laws, 1958-1960; minutes, 1960-1964; correspondence, 1960-1963; and files relating to the historical properties (the Little Red Schoolhouse and James Monroe House). The correspondence is mostly that of Mary Rudd Cochran (1881-1982) and Donald M. Love (1894-1974), which contains reminiscences about Cochran's great-aunt Julie Finney Monroe (1837-1930).
By far the richest segment of records exists for subgroup III, Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (O.H.I.O.), formed in 1964. Documentation exists on the 1964 merger with the Oberlin Historical Society, and the Oberlin Village Improvement Society. The series generally reflect the administrative arrangement of O.H.I.O., including records of the activities of the president, treasurer and secretary. Key series include constitution and bylaws, 1964-1979; chartering and incorporating documents, 1958-1987; and minutes of board of trustees' meetings, 1964-1989. The presidential series includes correspondence and reports from 1964 to 1984. Important subseries under the secretary's office include correspondence, 1964-1990; chronological files, 1965-1989; and historical files, 1961-1985. The treasurer's series includes correspondence, 1964-1987; annual reports, 1964-1985; building and property records of assets managed by O.H.I.O., 1965-1988; and accounts receivable and payable, 1961-1988. To be found under special projects are files on the Charles Martin Hall Memorial Center, 1960-1970; publication projects, 1961-1984; and records of the Oberlin Area United Appeal, Inc., 1962-1983. Series 8 contains printed material, including brochures and clippings, and photographs related to O.H.I.O. Hinges from the Charles Grandison Finney House comprise the artifacts in series 9. A two-year strategic plan from 1998 finishes out the processed material up to accession number 1999/44, after which material was not interfiled, but placed in series 11 for late accretions. This series holds two accessions covering records dated 1992-2005, and includes restricted materials relating to the search for the O.H.I.O Historical Administrator, 1992-93.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Subgroup I. Oberlin Village and Improvement Society, 1903-1964 (0.8 l.f.)
Contains the records of the volunteer-run Oberlin Village and Improvement Society, a predecessor organization of O.H.I.O. Records are divided into six series: 1. Constitution and Bylaws; 2. Minutes; 3. Correspondence; 4. Financial Records; 5. Oberlin Park Board; 6. Printed Material.
Series 1. Constitution and Bylaws, 1911-1943 (0.1 l.f.)
Copies of the constitution and bylaws noting subsequent changes in organizational structure. The dates for the documents are 1911, 1915, 1928, 1942 and 1943.
Series 2. Minutes, 1903-1964 (0.2 l.f.)
An incomplete run of minutes that document the meetings of the governing body. Recorded activities include outing plans, financial reports, membership notes and acquisitions. Minutes date 1903-10, 1912, 1914-23 and 1932-64.
Series 3. Correspondence, 1909-1964 (0.1 l.f.)
Correspondents include Augusta Squire, Irving W. Metcalf, Keyes Dewitt Metcalf, William Frederick Bohn, Homer H. Johnson and Frederick Grover. Topics include landscaping, dandelion control, financial transactions and meeting notices.
Series 4. Treasurer's Records, 1903-1964 (0.2 lin. ft)
Records of treasurer include correspondence from 1942 to 1964, mostly regarding financial investments; balance sheets, bank statements and receipts spanning 1903-1964.
Series 5. Oberlin Park Board, 1911-1915, 1939-1942 (0.1 l.f.)
Primarily correspondence related to Oberlin park improvements. Specific properties are targeted for development and use. Other items include plat maps noting location of parks and properties.
Series 6. Oberlin Federation, 1913-18 (0.1 l.f.)
One minute/record book, including minutes, clippings, and printed programs, 1913-18 which document this organization that was also known as the Oberlin Federation for Village Improvement and Social Betterment.
Series 7. Printed Material, 1908-1958 (0.1 l.f.)
Contains articles and clippings related to the Society. The date range is non-inclusive.
Subgroup II. Oberlin Historical Society, 1958-1965 (0.6 l.f.)
Includes the records of the Oberlin Historical Society, the second predecessor organization of O.H.I.O. Officially chartered in 1960, organizational planning began in 1958. The Society was incorporated as part of O.H.I.O. in 1964. Records are divided into six series: 1. Constitution and Bylaws; 2. Minutes; 3. Correspondence; 4. Historical Properties; 5. Treasurer's Records; 6. Printed Materials.
Series 1. Constitution and Bylaws, 1958-1960 (0.1 l.f.)
Included are copies of the constitution and bylaws from the inception in 1958, with subsequent revisions through 1960. It outlines the objectives and organization of the Society.
Series 2. Minutes, 1960-1964 (0.1 l.f.)
Minutes of the board of trustees of the Oberlin Historical Society represent a partial record documenting the activities of the Society. The minutes appear incomplete and exist in both manuscript and typescript form. Income and expense statements are included with the minutes.
Series 3. Correspondence, 1960-1963 (0.1 l.f.)
Primarily the correspondence carried out between Donald Love and Mary Rudd Cochran between 1960 and 1963. The letters are predominately reminiscences about Julie Finney Monroe, Cochran's great-aunt, who lived in the Monroe House. The correspondence was generated during the Society's efforts to preserve the Monroe House.
Series 4. Historical Properties, 1958-1963 (0.1 l.f.)
Records of the historical properties administered by the Oberlin Historical Society include files on the Little Red School House and the Monroe House. A roster of acquisitions notes many artifacts related to the properties.
Series 5. Treasurer's Records, 1958-1965 (0.1 l.f.)
Consists of financial records of the Society held by the treasurer. Includes canceled checks, bank statements, balance sheets, pledge cards and gift receipts.
Series 6. Printed Material, 1958-1964 (0.1 l.f.)
Contains clippings describing the origins of the Society and the 1964 merger with the Oberlin Village and Improvement Society.
Subgroup III. Oberlin Historical and Improvement Society (O.H.I.O.), 1961-1990 (5.3 l.f.)
The result of a merger between the Oberlin Village and Improvement Society and the Oberlin Historical Society in 1964, O.H.I.O. documents the merger and incorporation of the two predecessor organizations. Records illustrate the administration of O.H.I.O. and its various historical and improvement projects. Records are divided into seven series: 1. Constitution and Bylaws; 2. Chartering and Incorporation; 3. Minutes; 4. President's Records; 5. Secretary's records; 6. Treasurer's Records; 7. Special Projects; 8. Printed Material and Photographs; and 9. Artifacts.
Series 1. Constitution and Bylaws, 1964-1979 (0.1 l.f.)
Contains copies of the constitution and bylaws of O.H.I.O. and its predecessor organizations. Updates and revisions of amended articles are included.
Series 2. Chartering and Incorporation, 1958-1987 (0.1 l.f.)
Corporate registration documents and certificates of continued existence are part of this series relating to the constitution and bylaws. Items include copies of the predecessor organizations charters as well as charter amendments for O.H.I.O.
Series 3. Minutes, 1964-1989, 2000-2001, n.d. (0.2 l.f.)
A relatively complete set of the minutes from the board of trustees' meetings is contained in this series. A less complete record of minutes from other special meetings is also housed in this series. Minutes document membership, organizational activities, special projects and the administration of historical properties. Includes 2001 meeting program.
Series 4. President's Records, 1964-1988 (0.2 l.f.)
Records of the president of O.H.I.O. primarily consist of correspondence (incoming and outgoing). Included are letters of resignation from earlier presidents. (For related material see the chronological file in the secretary's series.)
Series 5. Secretary's Records, 1961-1990 (0.7 l.f.)
Consists of records of the secretary which illustrate the functions and duties of the office. The records are divided into four subseries: 1. Correspondence; 2. Chronological File; 3. Membership Rosters; and 4. Historical File.
Subseries 1. Correspondence, 1964-1974, 1977, 1990 (0.2 l.f.)
The bulk of the correspondence is that of the first secretary, Donald M. Love. Love's correspondence begins with the merger, and continues until his death in 1974. Other correspondents include Nancy Close and Philip Tear.
Subseries 2. Chronological File, 1965-1989 (0.4 l.f.)
The most pristine records in the collection, the chronological file contains a relatively complete record of the yearly activities of O.H.I.O. Items include meeting announcements, membership rosters, clippings, and correspondence. The bulk of the correspondence is that of the president.
Subseries 3. Membership Rosters, 1967-1988 (0.1 l.f.)
Membership rosters maintained by the secretary, duplicate some sections of the chronological file. Rosters include lists of members and officers of O.H.I.O.
Subseries 4. Historical File, 1961-1985 (0.1 l.f.)
A miscellaneous file of items of general historical significance to O.H.I.O. Items include notes on the organization's history, as well as rosters of historical acquisitions. Specific files on the Finney sofa and the Astor piano are part of the subseries.
Series 6. Treasurer's Records, 1961-2000 (2.6 l.f.)
The largest segment of records quantity-wise, the treasurer's records document the various fiscal responsibilities of O.H.I.O. The records are divided into four subseries: 1. Correspondence; 2. Annual Reports; 3. Building and Property Records; 4. Accounts Receivable and Payable.
Subseries 1. Correspondence, 1964-1987 (0.1 l.f.)
Consists of correspondence carried on by the treasurer regarding investments, assets and disbursements.
Subseries 2. Annual Reports, 1964-1985, 1998-2000 (0.2 l.f.)
Contains annual reporting of financial condition noting income and expenditures. The reports are largely complete for the year noted. Annual reports for 1998-2000, are contained in the Gazette newsletter.
Subseries 3. Building and Property Records, 1964-1988, 1992 (1.3 l.f.)
Topical files maintained by the treasurer on the historical properties and buildings administered by O.H.I.O. File topics include the Ferguson House, Jewett House, Monroe House, and Little Red School House.
Subseries 4. Accounts receivable and Payable, 1961-1989 (1.0 l.f.)
General financial records and receipts of O.H.I.O. Includes insurance policies, I.R.S. forms and schedules, bank statements, utility bills and real estate tax receipts.
Series 7. Special Projects, 1960-1989, 1990, 1997 (0.65 l.f.)
Topical files maintained on the various special projects associated with O.H.I.O. Includes a proposal for an historical pageant in Oberlin, Charles Martin Hall Memorial Center, Oberlin Area United Appeal and publication projects.
Series 8. Printed Material and Photographs, c. 1960s-1983, 2000 (0.2 l.f.)
Brochures sponsored by O.H.I.O., clippings, and a copy of the 1968 O.H.I.O. sponsored book, The Music of Oberlin and Some Who Made It, by Ernest Barrett Chamberlain. Includes a folder of photographs of the historical properties around 1964, and pictures of Oberlin Historical Society members. Gazette newsletters, some containing annual reports, file in Series 6, SS2.
Series 9. Artifacts, n.d. (0.4 l.f.)
The artifacts consist of hinges from the Charles Grandison Finney House which was unable to be preserved.
Series 10. Strategic Plan, 1998 (1 folder)
Consists of the Two Year Strategic Plan, adopted March 4, 1998.
Series 11. Late Accretions received from the Oberlin College Archives, 1992-2005 (0.8 l.f.)
The late accretions include minutes, correspondence, publicity materials, and subject files. Includes restricted materials concerning the search for the O.H.I.O. Historical Administrator, 1992-93.