Orson Knisely and Bernice Varner Knisely correspondence

The Orson Knisely and Bernice Varner Knisely correspondence is comprised of handwritten letters between OK and BVK while they were dating as students at Ohio University (OU). The letters span from 1932 until after they were married in 1935.

The correspondence is not only an account of their relationship, but is a good representation of student life at OU during that time. The collection was donated by OK and BVK's daughter, Barbara Gaeddert, who had summarized and indexed the letters. Although it is almost entirely comprised of letters there are also other materials, including poems written by OK and an assortment of newspaper clippings, in the collection. The letters are separated by author and then organized chronologically.

The first box begins with the letter written by Mrs. Gaeddert about the collection, which includes pictures of OK's theatrical make-up kit, student lamp and ring binder. This folder is followed by the summary and index done by Mrs. Gaeddert. The folder containing the summary and index starts with a photograph of OK alongside a photograph of BVK, both from the early 1930s. The next fifty pages contain short summaries of each letter, which are in the same order that the letters are maintained in the collection. These summaries contain the words or phrases from the index that follows. These terms include words or phrases such as Ohio University, Athens, movie, and radio and also include names such as Donna Varner and Arvin Knisely.

The remainder of the first box consists of the letters from 1932. They start with the letters written by Orson Knisely in chronological order from that year and they end with the letters written by BVK. During this time OK was not enrolled in school and was doing a lot of traveling as a salesman. Most of the letters discuss the different hobbies he was interested in and all the places he went. He also talks a great deal about his feelings of uncertainty about his future; especially as a salesman.

The letters written by BVK often give mention to her family. During this time her mother is ill and goes through an operation. She also talks about many of the activities and events she attends with her sister, Freda.

The second box contains the letters written in 1933. At this time, OK went back to school in Athens for the winter term. When he returns to school he talks about seeing his old friends and discusses his feelings towards his new classes. He also talks about different events at OU such as the Prep Follies, the Glee Club Concerts and the Prom. In several of his letters he includes the programs for the events he has been to. He does not, however, return the next fall. Instead, he becomes more involved in the arts. He does a lot of work with the theatre and choir and even gets hired to host Amateur Night.

BVK, at this time, doesn't attend school until the summer session and during this time she talks about her classes and her studies. Most of the letters from the rest of the year discuss what she has been doing. A few letters of interest, however, occur in December and are from when Freda has scarlet fever and the family is put under quarantine.

The third box contains the letters from 1934. OK returns to school in the winter term and finishes through the end of the school year. During this time he does student teaching and gets involved with theatre in Athens. He does lighting for concerts and conducts a play with the Wesley Players. In most of his letters he talks about classes and about the plays and concerts he attended. He also sends many programs and newspaper clippings to BVK that relate to these activities.

Many of the letters talk about everyday life, but OK also adds sentimental elements. He often reminisces about times they've spent together. His letter written May 5, 1934 goes into to detail about their relationship and he talks fondly about their "night of love."

In 1934, BVK again attends OU only for the summer session. Even though she doesn't attend school during the remainder of the year there is still a lot of mention of the university. Athens is closer to her home than OK's home in Sandusky and she often talks about coming to visit him for Homecoming, football games, and the Prom. Even though she is not at school, BVK is able to get a teaching job and she often talks about her experiences as a teacher.

The last box starts with letters from 1935. The letters from this year are significantly shorter and farther apart and continue until over a week after they are married. In the letters written by OK he talks about his job and his work with the Harlequins, a theatrical group. BVK talks about her family and continues to discuss her teaching job. One letter of interest she wrote that year was the last letter she wrote before they got married. In the letter she tells him she has decided to marry him and about a week later they tied the knot.

The remainder of the fourth box consists of poems, newspaper clippings, and an OU ring binder. The poems were written by OK and most of them are addressed to BVK. One poem is titled Sweet and Twenty and is addressed to BVK for her twentieth birthday. The poems are undated and therefore are in their own folder separate from the letters.

The next folder contains various newspaper clippings and programs. These include one comic, an article about Kelleys Island, an article about education, programs for the Women's Glee Club and The Man Who Discovered Easter, and a miscellaneous letter. OK sent his future wife many programs and newspaper clippings and most of these various items are probably from him. However, it is unclear as to which letter they belong to and therefore they have been put into a separate folder.