All Items 20

Photographs of coeducation decision, 1974 November 2

Cryan, James U., Jr.

Photographs showing John William Ward and George L. Shinn in the president's office announcing to reporters and to the campus via WAMH the decision from the Board of Trustees to admit women as degree candidates at Amherst College. There are also images of members of the college community gathered outside Converse Hall. These photographs are assumed to have been taken by the College Photographer for the Office of Public Affairs (now the Office of Communications). James U. Cryan Jr. was the College Photographer from October 1972-January 1975.

Photographs of coeducation decision, 1974 November 2
Photographs of student and trustee meetings regarding coeducation, 1973 April 6

Amherst College

Photographs of students meeting with members of the Board of Trustees of Amherst College to discuss the proposal that the College become coeducational. The meetings photographed are in various locations including: Stirn Auditorium in the Mead Art Building, the Cole Assembly Room of Converse Hall, Buckley Recital Hall in the Arms Music Center, and Merrill 1 lecture room in Merrill Science Center. Students and Trustees are also photographed outside on campus. Also included is a photograph of a poster for "Student Testimonials to Trustees." These photographs are assumed to have been taken by the College Photographer for the Office of Public Affairs (now the Office of Communications). The name of the photographer is unknown.

Photographs of student and trustee meetings regarding coeducation, 1973 April 6
Boston recorder and telegraph, 1827 May 25

Rand, Asa, 1783-1871

The Boston Recorder and Telegraph May 25, 1827 issue which includes an article titled "Amherst College" in a "General Miscellany" section. The article explains that an alteration has been made in the Amherst College course of study, an "Outline" of which the newspaper has received. Also provided is the introduction to the plan made by the Trustees of Amherst College which includes the changes to preparatory studies and the curriculum.

Boston recorder and telegraph, 1827 May 25
Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13

Amherst College. Board of Trustees

Handwritten copies of the deed in which the Trustees of Amherst Academy transfer all the bonds and promissory notes that have been given to the Trustees of Amherst Academy for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a classical or collegiate institution in Amherst to the Trustees of Amherst College. The text of the document references the Amherst College charter and describes a resolution passed at the March 15th meeting of the Trustees of the Academy during which Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, and Nathaniel Smith were authorized to assign and convey all such real estate to the Trustees of the College. Provided is a list of bonds or notes hereby assigned to the Trustees of the College. Various individuals signed or wrote notes on the document: James Parsons, Lucius Boltwood, Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, Nathaniel Smith, Levi Lyman, and Joseph Scott, Jr. The notes of Levi Lyman are dated August 30, 1825. There are several copies of the deed included in this document with slight variations between them.

Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13
John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter, 1840 December 19, with circular

Fiske, John, 1770-1855

John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter written on a circular. Fiske presents the circular to Mixter and asks that he donate to the fund noted, especially as Mixter has been favored with a fortune. The circular is dated October 1839 and is written by a Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College: Heman Humphrey, William B. Banister, Samuel T. Armstrong, William B. Calhoun, and George Grennell. In the circular, the Committee discusses the financial history of the College including the Charity Fund. They explain current debts and financial needs and ask for aid, noting that the Trustees are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

John Fiske letter to Jason Mixter, 1840 December 19, with circular
Documents relating to Amherst College, House No. 11

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet consisting of documents relating to a petition for financial aid made by Amherst College to the Massachusetts Legislature. The first statement is the petition written by Heman Humphrey on behalf of the Trustees, followed by lists of the legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed to the Joint Committee to whom the petition was referred, noted by clerks L.S. Cushing and Charles Calhoun. Also included is the report of the Joint Committee which contains financial information regarding Amherst College and is attributed to James C. Merrill, Chairman of Committee. The resolve states that aid will be granted. The last section contains the 1825 Amherst College charter. All other content included in the pamphlet is dated from 1831 to 1832.

Documents relating to Amherst College, House No. 11
Report on the petition of the Trustees of Amherst College, Senate No. 37

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet containing documents relating to a petition for financial aid made by Amherst College to the Massachusetts Legislature. The first statement included is the petition written by Heman Humphrey on behalf of the Trustees. The pamphlet also contains the report of the Joint Special Committee to whom the petition was committed, signed by M. Lawrence as Chairman of the Committee. The report provides financial information regarding Amherst College. Following the report is the Committee resolve in which it is stated that pecuniary aid will be provided. An unattributed pencilled note that appears after the resolve states "Defeated." Content in the pamphlet is from various dates in January 1837.

Report on the petition of the Trustees of Amherst College, Senate No. 37
Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane, 1843 July 15, with circular

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane written on a circular and form letter. In the handwritten letter, Vaill appeals to Doane specifically as a man of wealth and Christian benevolence and asks him to peruse the included documents and then favor Vaill with a personal interview. In the printed form letter, Joseph Vaill writes as the appointed General Agent of Amherst College and asks recipients to donate to the College by subscription. The form letter is dated October 1, 1841 but a handwritten edit dates it as October 1, 1842. The circular is dated October 1841 and is written by a Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College: Heman Humphrey, William B. Banister, Samuel T. Armstrong, William B. Calhoun, and George Grennell. In the circular, the Committee discusses the financial history of the College including the Charity Fund. They explain current debts and financial needs and ask for aid, noting that the Trustees are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

Joseph Vaill letter to Elisha Doane, 1843 July 15, with circular
Joseph Vaill letter to Herbert John Russell, 1841 October 1, with circular

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

A printed form letter in which Joseph Vaill writes as the appointed General Agent of Amherst College and asks recipients to donate to the College by subscription. The circular included is dated October 1841 and is written by a Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College: Heman Humphrey, William B. Banister, Samuel T. Armstrong, William B. Calhoun, and George Grennell. In the circular, the Committee discusses the financial history of the College including the Charity Fund. They explain current debts and financial needs and ask for aid, noting that the Trustees are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars. The letter is addressed to Mr. Russell (presumably Herbert John Russell).

Joseph Vaill letter to Herbert John Russell, 1841 October 1, with circular
Amherst College Trustees deed to the Charity Fund Board of Overseers with Board of Overseers deed of release to the Trustees, 1826 April 1 and 1847 August 10

Amherst College. Board of Trustees

A document that includes a deed certifying that the Prudential Committee of the Trustees of Amherst College assigns, releases, and conveys certain tracts of land in Amherst to the Charity Fund Board of Overseers. The deed specifies that the tracts of land include land conveyed to the Trustees by Elijah Dickinson and by Jerusha and Moses Dickinson. It is stated that the deed is for the security of a loan of ten thousand dollars from the Charity Fund. The deed of release from the Board of Overseers to the Trustees is attached to the last page of the document and it certifies that the ten thousand dollars has been repaid. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: Elijah Boltwood, Lucius Boltwood, Heman Humphrey, Nathaniel Smith, John Leland, Rufus Graves, Lewis Strong, Samuel Osgood, Cyrus Mann, Ithamar Conkey, A.W. (Andrew Wood) Porter, Thomas Bond, and William Hyde, Harvey Hirkland, Levi Lyman, Lucius Boltwood, and one illegible signature. The deed is dated April 1, 1826 and the deed of release is dated August 10, 1847. Dates of additional notes on the documents range from August 24, 1826 to August 20 1847.

Amherst College Trustees deed to the Charity Fund Board of Overseers with Board of Overseers deed of release to the Trustees, 1826 April 1 and 1847 August 10
House No. 13

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet consisting of documents relating to a petition for financial aid made by Amherst College to the Massachusetts Legislature. The first statement is the petition written by Heman Humphrey on behalf of the Trustees, followed by lists of the legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed to the Joint Committee to whom the petition was referred, noted by clerks Charles Calhoun and P.W. Warren. Also included is the report of the Joint Committee which contains financial information regarding Amherst College and is attributed to James C. Merrill, Chairman of Committee. Following the report is information regarding the movement of the report in the Senate and the House, noted by Calhoun and Warren. The resolve states that aid will be granted. Content included in the pamphlet is from various dates in 1831.

House No. 13
Draft of Amherst College Board of Trustees circular and Joseph Vaill form letter, 1843 December

Vaill, Joseph, 1790-1869

A handwritten draft of a circular in which the Trustees of Amherst College make a statement and appeal to the Christian community for aid for the College. They discuss the history of Amherst College, number and status its alumni, campus, course of instruction and faculty, location, and financial history and current situation. They explain that they are attempting to raise a sum of one hundred thousand dollars by subscription and ask for aid from friends of the College. They mention Reverend Joseph Vaill and money raised by the alumni for the endowment of a professorship. They write regarding the importance of raising the remainder of the fund by a certain date as some of the subscriptions are conditional. Following the draft of the circular is a form letter signed by Vaill written in the same hand as the draft. In the letter, Vaill mentions the foregoing circular and asks permission to call on the recipient in due time with the hope that they will donate to the fund. A note on the back of this document states "copy for the printer."

Draft of Amherst College Board of Trustees circular and Joseph Vaill form letter, 1843 December
Edward Dillingham Bangs letter to James Fowler, 1826 February 9

Bangs, Edward D. (Edward Dillingham), 1790-1838

Edward D. Bangs, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, letter to James Fowler in which Bangs notifies Fowler that per an order of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 8th of this month, Fowler has been chosen in the manner prescribed in the Amherst College charter as a Trustee to supply one of the vacancies occasioned by the deaths of William Gray and Elisha Billings. An unattributed note on the addressed portion of the letter states "Certificate of Trusteeship in Amherst College."

Edward Dillingham Bangs letter to James Fowler, 1826 February 9
Senate No. 17

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet containing the January 12, 1831 petition for financial aid made by Amherst College to the Massachusetts Legislature. The petition is written by Heman Humphrey on behalf of the Trustees of Amherst College. Humphrey requests pecuniary aid and provides his reasons for the petition and background on the College. The final page lists the legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed to the Joint Committee to whom the petition was referred, noted by clerks Charles Calhoun and P.W. Warren.

Senate No. 17
Report on the petition of the Trustees of Amherst College, Senate No. 27

Massachusetts. General Court

A pamphlet containing documents relating to a petition for financial aid made by Amherst College to the Massachusetts Legislature. The first statement is the petition written by Heman Humphrey on behalf of the Trustees, followed by lists of the legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate appointed to the Joint Committee, noted by clerks L.S. Cushing and Charles Calhoun. Also included is a report of the Joint Special Committee attributed to S.G. Goodrich as Chairman of the Committee. The report provides financial information regarding Amherst College, and it is noted as being accepted in the House of Representatives and sent up for concurrence by Cushing. Content in the pamphlet is from various dates in 1838 and 1839.

Report on the petition of the Trustees of Amherst College, Senate No. 27
Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13

Amherst College. Board of Trustees

A document including a deed in which the Trustees of Amherst Academy transfer all the bonds and promissory notes that have been given to the Trustees of Amherst Academy for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a classical or collegiate institution in Amherst to the Trustees of Amherst College. The text of the document references the Amherst College charter and describes a resolution passed at the March 1825 meeting of the Trustees of the Academy during which Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, and Nathaniel Smith were authorized to assign and convey all such real estate to the Trustees of the College. A register of bonds and promissory notes hereby assigned to the Trustees of the College is provided which includes the names of donors, the date of their bond or note, as well as the amount of their. Various individuals signed or contributed to the document: James Parsons, Heman Humphrey, Rufus Graves, Nathaniel Smith, and Lucius Boltwood.

Trustees of Amherst Academy deed to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1825 April 13
Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to unidentified recipient, 1863 June 1

Hardy, Aplpheus, 1815-1887

Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to an unknown recipient in which they write on behalf of the Trustees of Amherst College and ask the recipient for financial aid. Hardy and Edwards explain that an individual has offered Amherst College twenty thousand dollars on the condition that a like sum be raised for the purpose of placing the Scientific Department of the College on a complete and thorough basis. They explain what sums have been raised and what is still needed by July 1, asking the recipient to aid them to secure the sum in time.

Alpheus Hardy and Henry Edwards letter to unidentified recipient, 1863 June 1
William Tyler letter to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1842 July 25

Tyler, William, 1789-1875

William Tyler letter to the Trustees of Amherst College in which he writes regarding his subscription to Amherst College. He states that when he acted as an agent for the College he subscribed five hundred dollars payable in four installments and that he intended to save this money from his salary and not to pay it out of his property. He goes on to explain that since he made that subscription his circumstances have changed and he is currently without employment and has a large family dependent on him for support. He proposes to pay half of his subscription and requests that the Trustees exonerate him from the remainder of it.

William Tyler letter to the Trustees of Amherst College, 1842 July 25
Edwards Amasa Park letter to the Trustees of Amherst College with note to Heman Humphrey, 1844 June 28

Park, Edwards Amasa, 1808-1900

Edwards A. Park, a professor at Andover Theological Society, letter to the Trustees of Amherst College in which Park responds to the request of the Trustees to appoint him President of Amherst College. He states that he received the copy of the vote the Trustees made at a meeting on the nineteenth, and he is honored. He writes that he cannot deny that Amherst would be a more agreeable place or residence than about any other place, and discusses the town and the character of its citizens. He also writes positively of Amherst College and states his interest in the welfare of the College. However, Park goes on to say, he does not see how he could abandon his department of Sacred Rhetoric and turn his attention to a different set of studies. He writes that he also believes his physical system is insufficient to sustain the responsibilities of the Presidency of Amherst College. He thanks the Trustees for their offer, but declines it. Following the letter to the Trustees, which is signed by Park (although written in an unattributed hand), there is a brief letter to Heman Humphrey (written in Park's hand) asking that Humphrey communicate the preceding letter to the Board of Trustees along with his assurances that it was a difficult decision for him.

Edwards Amasa Park letter to the Trustees of Amherst College with note to Heman Humphrey, 1844 June 28
Lucius Boltwood list of business to be laid before the Trustees of Amherst College

Boltwood, Lucius, 1792-1872

Lucius Boltwood list of business to be laid before the Trustees of Amherst College at their next meeting in August.

Lucius Boltwood list of business to be laid before the Trustees of Amherst College