Archival Services, a division of University Libraries, recently partnered with the Summit County Historical Society, the City of Akron, and the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau to curate an exhibit on Ray C. Bliss and past Republication National Conventions. Bliss, University of Akron alumnus and namesake of the Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, was Ohio state and national chairman of the Republican Party for many years. He is best known for helping to rebuild the party after the failed Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964 and getting Richard Nixon elected president in 1968.
Ray Bliss at the Republican National Committee Podium
The exhibit, titled “Mr. Chairman: Ray C. Bliss and the RNC,” uses historic photographs, documents, and artifacts to recount the life and legacy of Ray Bliss. It also showcases a variety of interesting memorabilia from past Republican National Conventions selected from the Ray Bliss Papers in Archival Services, including signed documents by Nixon, Eisenhower, and other party leaders. It coincides with the 2016 Republican National Convention, which will be held in Cleveland this summer. The exhibit will be on display now through the election on the fourth floor of the Ohio Building at 175 S. Main St. (now King James Way) in downtown Akron. It is free and open to the public during the building’s normal business hours, which are Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Ray C. Bliss Papers and other resources on local and regional history are available by visiting Archival Services located in Room LL-10 of the Polsky Building. Public hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Photograph of the 1931 Akron Sporting Goods team after a win against the Falls Merchants. Photograph by Stivas Studio, Akron, Ohio. From the Glenn V. Bosworth Collection, Archival Services University Libraries, The University of Akron
Glenn V. Bosworth Collection 1894-1979:
This collection encompasses material relating to his long career in athletics. Bosworth coached and managed teams locally from 1919 through 1952. He coached the University of Akron baseball team in 1931-1932, and was later a scout for the Cleveland Indians who honored him as “Mr. Baseball” in 1976. This collection has numerous photographs of the teams and players Bosworth managed and are of particular value to anyone interested in the Akron baseball and basketball leagues in the early 20th century. http://ead.ohiolink.edu/xtf-ead/view?docId=ead/OhAkUAS0044.xml;query=;brand=default
Some books on local baseball history available:
Industrial League Baseball and Employee Welfare Work by Jeffery E. Smith GV863.A1 S658 1991
Glory Days: The Akron Yankees of the Middle Atlantic League, 1935-1941 by Richard McBane GV875.A53 M33 1997
Akron-Canton Baseball Heritage / Thomas Maroon, Margaret Maroon, Craig Holbert GV863.O32 A47 2007
Other finding aids now available on-line:
Helen E. Arnold Papers, 1965-1975:
Helen E. Arnold (1924-2001) was an employee of the City of Akron who fought for education reform and equal rights for women and African-Americans in the Akron/Summit County area. She was the first black woman to serve on the Akron Board of Education and served in various capacities on numerous boards and organizations, including President of the Akron Branch of the NAACP. Her papers include speeches, writings, correspondence, news clippings, and subject files that document her work.
Russell S. Colley (1889-1996) was a mechanical engineer for the B. F. Goodrich Company in Akron, Ohio and later the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). His papers include photographs, patents, and printed materials documenting his work with aircraft de-icers and space suits.
Karl H. Grismer (1896-1952) was a journalist who worked in Akron, Ohio and Florida. He published several books on local history in the two states. His papers contain materials that document his life and work including his writings and a selection of his artwork as well as numerous newspaper clippings.
Technicians with Ball of Smoked Rubber in Brazilian Amazon Courtland B. Manifold Papers, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Courtland B. Manifold Papers, 1921-1952:
Courtland B. Manifold (1894-1973) was a soil specialist who worked for the United States government as well as Goodyear and Firestone. He investigated land in South America, West Africa, and the Far East for the planting of rubber during the first half of the twentieth century. His papers contain both diaries and photographs that document his work and his travels.
Red Cross Staff, Belgrade 1915. Mary E. Gladwin is the center nurse in the all-white uniform. Photograph from the Mary E. Gladwin Papers, Archival Services University Libraries, The University of Akron
Mary E. Gladwin Papers, 1898-1939:
Mary E. Gladwin (1861-1939) was a Red Cross nurse who served during the Spanish-American war, Russo-Japanese war and World War I in the Balkans. Her papers consist of her memoirs, photographs, a diary, and various material concerning Gladwin’s experiences serving at various posts around the world. Mary Gladwin Hall at the University of Akron is named after her.
