Orson Welby Knisely papers

The Orson Welby Knisely (OWK) collection contains materials ranging from 1929 to 2002. The majority of items span from 1929 to 1934 during OWK's undergraduate years at Ohio University (OU). Most of the documents relate to OWK['s interest and involvement in the arts, especially in theater and music.

The documents have been divided into six categories, three of which are programs. The first folder, labeled "Program--Spectator" includes materials from events that OWK attended as a non-participant. Especially interesting in this folder are the comments that OWK has written regarding quality of performances and encores. The second folder, titled "Programs--Name Mentioned," relates to events in which OWK directly participated. In this folder there is also a program for the Mother Gooseland show in which OWK's future wife, Bernice Varner Knisely, also participated. The final program folder, "Programs--Participant," includes programs from events in which OWK participated, but apparently not to a significant enough degree to warrant getting his name mentioned in the program.

The next folder, "Dances," includes dance cards that OWK collected from dance events that took place at Ohio University. Included in the "Dances" folder are papers granting OWK free tickets to dances as repayment for his technical assistance in setting up the dances.

After that, the "Miscellaneous" folder contains assorted documents, mostly related to registering for classes at Ohio University. OWK's cap and gown receipt are included in this folder. Finally, the "Modern Docuemnts" folder includes resumes and other papers written much later. These include resumes for OWK and his daughter, Barbara Gaeddert (BG), as well as BG's account of how her parents met at Ohio University.

The materials in this collection are organized thematically. With the exception of the dance cards, all materials in the collection are textual files, mostly typed programs. No documents were removed during appraisal.

Additional materials have been received from BG. These are of two types. The first are textile wall hangings. These are made of a thin fabric and of a village and a landscape scene. The second group is drawing and art projects. There are eight pictures here, five of which are scene designs for an OU Theater production of Romeo and Juliet . The three remaining are art projects and art material, including a color wheel. The other two are views of the same item, done in different mediums.

These appear to have been created for art classes that OWK took at OU--perhaps for a class titled "Art Structure," which was most frequently taught by a Miss Willis during the early 1930s. The stage setting design plans probably derive from OWK's deep involvement with theater at the university. The items are in generally good condition, though care should be taken with all of them. The art projects--especially the charcoal drawing--should be handled with extreme care. Additionally, the wall hangings and art projects have been wrapped in tissue paper to protect them. No materials have been removed from this second donation and all the materials have been reorganized into a single flat box.