Columbia University bicentennial anniversary records, 1898-1957

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in five series.

• Series I: Chron Files, 1947-1957
• Series II: Conference and Convocation Materials, 1953-1954
• Series III: Office Files, 1898-1956
• Series IV: Printed Materials, 1950-1956
• Series V: Subject Files, 1949-1957

Description

Summary

This collection contains the records from the Office of the Bicentennial, which was led by Richard B. Powell, David Loth and James L. Malfetti. This collection includes the correspondence originating in or received by the Office of the Bicentennial, the office files, and the subject files. In addition to the Office of the Bicentennial records, this collection includes the materials collected by and/or transferred to the Columbiana Collection, under the curation of Milton Halsey Thomas. This includes the conference transcripts, papers, convocation records, and an extensive collection of printed materials.

• Series I: Chron Files, 1947-1957

  This series contains the chronological correspondence files of the Office of the Bicentennial, which was led by Richard B. Powell, David Loth and James L. Malfetti. There is also correspondence from, or received by, Dean Lawrence Chamberlain as chairman of the Committee on Convocations and Public Ceremonies and most of the correspondence between conference chairmen and conference participants. However, the 1955 Status of the Files (see under Series V, Index and Instruction for Files) notes that the Chron Files "have been thoroughly culled so that what remains is of possible significance for history, or validation of records." The largest amount of correspondence relating to the Bicentennial which is not represented in this collection is that of the Public Information Division which was under the direction of the Office of Development. Those files can be found in the Columbia University Bicentennial Collection (MS#0251).

• Series II: Conference and Convocation Materials, 1953-1954

  This series contains materials related to the conferences and convocations held during the Bicentennial Anniversary year. There are transcrips and papers from the conferences and RSVP correspondence for the convocations. These materials were collected and/or transferred to the Columbiana Collection. Materials are organized by event date.

• Series III: Office Files, 1898-1956

  This series contains the files from the Office of the Bicentennial. Materials are organized alphabetically.

• Series IV: Printed Materials, 1950-1956

  Printed materials refers to press releases, programs, newsletters, menus, seating charts, newspaper clippings, invitations, tickets, as well as published radio program transcripts, journal issues, discussion guides, speeches, and even the history of the Bicentennial year. This series contains materials collected by and/or tranfered to the Columbiana Collection. Milton Halsey Thomas, the Columbiana Curator, served on the Bicentennial Public Relations Committee. This series also includes the Guest Book for the Bicentennial year and materials related to the special convocation in honor of the neighborhood's tradesmen and vendors. Materials are organized alphabetically.

• Series V: Subject Files, 1949-1957

  In each Subject File, there is a page (or pages) with the dates and brief descriptions of the contents of correspondence pertaining to that particular subject which can be found in the Chron Files. In addition, the subject folders contain "selected materials helpful to an understanding of the details for a particular activity. These materials may be duplicated in the Chronological File, but finding important items relating to one activity assembled in one place is of considerable help to search and research." The subject files are in alphabetical order, with the materials in each file in chronological order.

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Columbia University bicentennial anniversary records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

Related Materials

This collection goes hand in hand with the Columbia University Bicentennial Collection (MS#0251), which includes audiovisual materials, the Office of Development records, Bicentennial greetings from around the world, and related printed materials such as books, pamphlets, and newsletters.

Accruals

No additions are expected.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2002.054.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Collection-level record describing unprocessed material made public in summer 2018 as part of the Hidden Collections initiative. This collection was processed by Joanna Rios in 2023.

Revision Description

2023-03-31 Finding aid published (JR)

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Historical Note

In 1954, Columbia celebrated the bicentennial of its founding under the royal charter of 1754. A whole year's worth of conferences, concerts, convocations and events were put together to mark the occasion. There were exhibitions, locally and abroad, and network television and radio shows centered on the Bicentennial them "Man's Right to Knowledge and the Free Use Thereof."