All Items 14

Alexander Wilson McClure letter to Justin Perkins, 1846 July 25

M'Clure, Alexander W. (Alexander Wilson), 1808-1865

Alexander Wilson McClure partial letter to Justin Perkins in which McClure he writes that he was filling in for Dr. Payson but was not sure what lay ahead for him and comments on the state of church work at home and in Perkins' world and shares his opinions on the outcomes of Armenian persecution at Constantinople noting that for the first time the Turks obtained correct knowledge of Protestant Christianity. McClure shares news of changes at Amherst College including the appointment of Prof. Hitchcock (Edward Hitchcock) as president and the retirement Dr. Humphrey (Heman Humphrey) who McClure describes as perceptibly broken with years and labors. McClure notes there was an interesting revival at Amherst stating the institution is somewhat more prosperous. McClure also shares news of Andover (Andover Theological Seminary) including Prof. B. B. Edwards travels and improving health, Dr. Woods' whose family had advised him to throw himself upon the Trustees to make provisions for his old age, noting the students refuse to remain under his instruction. McClure shares news of his family and passes writes on behalf of his wife sending Christian love to Perkins, his wife and offspring.

Alexander Wilson McClure letter to Justin Perkins, 1846 July 25
Edward Hitchcock letter to Justin Perkins, 1848 April 24

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

Edward Hitchcock letter to Justin Perkins in which Hitchcock expresses his sadness that he has not written Perkins more frequently and his joy at the wonderful providences they have both experienced. He writes regarding a variety of topics such as Perkins' missionary labors, his own health, his difficult position as President of Amherst College, his faith in God's plans, changes at Amherst College, the death of Professor (Nathan Welby) Fiske, the scientific pursuits he has had to abandon during his presidency, the geological information Perkins has shared, and Perkins' gift of the Syriac New Testament for the College Library. Among the changes at Amherst College discussed are endowed professorships, a new cabinet and increases in the cabinet, a revival, and relief from pecuniary embarrassments.

Edward Hitchcock letter to Justin Perkins, 1848 April 24
John Fiske letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1847 March 2

Fiske, John, 1770-1855

John Fiske, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to College President Edward Hitchcock in which Fiske writes in response to a letter from Hitchcock and discourages Hitchcock from resigning as President. Fiske mentions the recent donation of thirty thousand dollars to the College and suggests that Hitchcock make an attempt to establish his health by an absence of some months rather than by resigning. He also discusses the potential candidates for Hitchcock's successor. Fiske goes on to discuss a suggestion Hitchcock made regarding future aid to the College, a building that is about to be erected, and more regarding the donation, mentioning Mr. Vaill and Mr. Hitchcock of Brimfield. On two of the pages of the letter, Fiske writes sideways over his other text. It has been determined that Mr. Hitchcock of Brimfield is Samuel A. Hitchcock and Mr. Vaill is Joesph Vaill.

John Fiske letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1847 March 2
Linus Child letter to Heman Humphrey, 1844 October 7

Child, Linus, 1803-1870

Linus Child, Trustee of Amherst College, letter to College President Heman Humphrey in which Child responds to a letter from Humphrey informing him that Professor Warner (Aaron Warner) has consented to accept the chair of Professor of Rhetoric at Amherst College. Child also writes regarding other information Humphrey provided, namely that Mr. Barnes would decline the office of the President if it should be offered to him. He explains his delay in responding to this, mentioning Armstrong (presumably Samuel T. Armstrong) during his explanation. He goes on to say that he feels that they should desist from making any further attempts to select a new President as they have already made enough unsuccessful attempts to do so. It has been determined that Mr. Barnes is Albert Barnes. The letter is pasted onto another piece of paper with an unattributed note at the top.

Linus Child letter to Heman Humphrey, 1844 October 7
Albert Barnes letter to Heman Humphrey, 1844 October 8

Barnes, Albert, 1798-1870

Albert Barnes letter to Heman Humphrey in which Barnes responds to the offer made by Humphrey and the Board of Trustees to appoint Barnes as President of Amherst College. Barnes discusses how honored he was by the offer and states that he knows the College has been a great blessing to the land under Humphrey's administration. Barnes goes on, however, to decline the offer and explain his reasons for doing so, primarily relating to his reluctance to leave his current position. He states that he thinks he can foresee that there would be peril to the harmony of the church in selecting another pastor and that the interests of religion in his city would be likely to suffer. He writes that another reason he must decline is that he feels it is his duty to preach the gospel. In closing, he prays that the Board will find a man who is qualified to fill the position and wishes Humphrey well.

Albert Barnes letter to Heman Humphrey, 1844 October 8
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
Photographs of John F. Kennedy visit to Amherst College, 1963 October 26

Amherst College

Color and black and white photographs of President John F. Kennedy's visit to Amherst College for the groundbreaking ceremony for Robert Frost Library and a convocation on October 26, 1963. Included are images of the Civil Rights vigil held with student and faculty attendees holding placards supporting Kennedy's Civil Rights program, the convocation at which President Kennedy and Archibald MacLeish were awarded honorary doctor of law degrees, the arrival of Kennedy and his entourage via helicopters on Memorial Field, media coverage of events, a meal in Valentine Hall, a meeting, the President's motorcade to the groundbreaking, Kennedy greeting spectators, and the groundbreaking for the library. Also included are images of the seating arranged for the convocation and the stage and podium erected for the groundbreaking. Members of the media, State Police, Secret Service, and spectators gathered for the events can be seen in images. Specific individuals who can be seen in photographs include College President Calvin H. Plimpton (Calvin Hasting Plimpton), President Kennedy, Archibald Macleish, College Dean C. Scott Porter (Charles Scott Porter), College Librarian Newton F. McKeon, President of the Alumni Society Leonard P. Moore, Chairman of the Amherst Capital Program Harry W. Knight, President of the Amherst Student Council Harry W. Knight, Jr., Secretary of the College and Director of Publications Peter Schrag, Sheriff John F. Boyle, and Trustees John J. McCloy, Kendall B. DeBevoise, and J. Alfred Guest. Photographs are taken in various locations including in Coolidge Cage, Valentine Hall, the Main Quadrangle (also known as the first-year quad), in front of the Alumni Gymnasium and Athletic Complex, and on the site where Frost Library currently stands. These photographs were taken by the College Photographer for the Office of Public Affairs (now the Office of Communications). The name of the photographer is unknown. The photographs have been sorted according to the manufacturer named on the original slide frames: Anscochrome, Kodak Ektachrome, and Kodachrome Duplicate.

Photographs of John F. Kennedy visit to Amherst College, 1963 October 26
Edward Hitchcock diary, "Private Notes," 1854 June 18 to 1864 February 5

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A portion of a personal diary kept by Edward Hitchcock. This secion includes pages 259-466 (pages 409 and 410 are missing), written between 1854 and 1864. The diary includes Hitchcock's reflections on the state of Amherst College and its transition to a new president, the state of Orra White Hitchcock's health after a bad accident, his daughter Emily's public profession of the faith, his work with fossil footprints, and more. Hitchcock expresses his religious feelings throughout the diary.

Edward Hitchcock diary, "Private Notes," 1854 June 18 to 1864 February 5
Edward Hitchcock diary, "Private Notes," 1843 December to 1854 June 18

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A portion of a personal diary kept by Edward Hitchcock. This section includes pages 87-258, written between 1843 and 1854. The diary includes reflections on Hitchcock's work in geology and natural history, his health, his attempts to reconcile science and religion, his own religious feelings, and religion at Amherst College, among others. The majority of this portion of the diary concerns Hitchocck's experiences as the president of Amherst College and his various scientific undertakings. The diary also includes lists of Hitchcock's volumes that he has bound, broken down by type of document.

Edward Hitchcock diary, "Private Notes," 1843 December to 1854 June 18
Samuel Williston letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1854 May 8

Williston, Samuel, 1795-1874

A letter from Samuel Williston to Edward Hitchock regarding Hitchcock's proposed resignation as president of Amherst College.

Samuel Williston letter to Edward Hitchcock, 1854 May 8
Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 May 4

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter in which Edward Hitchcock presents his full intention to resign from the Presidency of Amherst College, due to the state of his health. Hitchcock describes why he can no longer continue in the position, and mentions his desire to keep his resignation private until the appropriate time for public announcement.

Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 May 4
Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 September 1

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter in which Edward Hitchcock expresses his satisfaction that Dr. Stearns has been chosen as his successor as President of Amherst College so quickly. Hitchcock also discusses financial concerns related to the college and asserts his desire that the college not fall into debt again.

Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 September 1
Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 June 26

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter in which Edward Hitchcock reasserts his desire and intention to resign from the Presidency of Amherst College, and discusses the possibility of a meeting of the Board of Trustees to discuss the issue. Hitchcock also mentions that he does not seek to have input on the choice of his successor.

Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 June 26
Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 June 26

Hitchcock, Edward, 1793-1864

A letter in which Edward Hitchcock explains why he can no longer continue serving as President of Amherst College. Hitchcock also discusses organizing a meeting of the college's Board of Trustees to discuss the issue.

Edward Hitchcock letter to unidentified recipient, 1854 June 26