David Felmley Presidential Papers, 1857-2005 | Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives at Illinois State University

By Jenna Self

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Collection Overview

Title: David Felmley Presidential Papers, 1857-2005

Predominant Dates:1901-1930

ID: PO/IAI20XX_15

Primary Creator: Felmley, David

Extent: 3.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The David Felmley Presidential Papers collection is arranged into eight series by content and type of materials. These materials include correspondence, reports, budget information, publications, salaries, and committees.

Subjects: College presidents - Illinois - Normal., Felmley, David, 1857-1930, Felmley, David, 1857-1930 - Correspondence., Illinois State Normal University - Presidents., Universities and colleges - Illinois - Normal.

Languages: English

Abstract

The David Felmley Presidential Papers holds materials of ISNU's sixth president. The collection contains correspondence, governance information, reports, committee materials, legislation, and photographs.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Series I: Correspondence, 1891, 1901-1929 holds incoming and outgoing correspondence.

Series II: Governance, 1904, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916-1919, 1922-1923, 1927-1931 contains materials on the governing boards of ISNU including the Board of Education, American Association of Teachers Colleges, National Council of Normal School Presidents and Principals, and the North Central Council of State Normal School Presidents.

Series III: Business Affairs, 1900-1905, 1907-1908, 1913-1916, 1918-1922, 1925-1929, 1932 includes budget materials, checks, legislation information, requisitions, and university buildings information.

Series IV: Academic Affairs, 1912, 1918-1920, 1923, 1928-1929 holds reports and faculty staff information.

Series V: Student Affairs, 1902-1905, 1913-1936 contains attendance reports and legislation.

Series VI: President's Office, 1857-1931, 1997, 2000, 2005 includes committee materials, reports, publications, petitions, simplified spelling information, speeches, and World War I information.

Series VII: Photographs, 1917 holds photographs.

Series VIII: Memorabilia, c. 1900 contains David Felmley's presidential portrait.

Collection Historical Note

David Felmley was the sixth president of ISNU and is ISNU's longest serving president. He served for thirty years from 1900-1930. Felmley was born in New Jersey but grew up in Illinois. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. He was the superintendent of schools in Carrollton, Illinois before joining ISNU as the mathematics professor. In 1900, Felmley succeeded Arnold Tompkins as president. Felmley was the first president to be democratic in his administration of campus. Felmley believed that everyone deserved a high school education and that teachers colleges were the institutions to provide that education. It was because of Felmley's campaign to convert the normal schools into four-year baccalaureate institutions that in 1907 ISNU became a baccalaureate institution. Felmley was also a proponent of simplified spelling in which the silent "e" and unpronounced double letters were removed. Felmley's presidency saw the construction of the Manual Arts building (Edwards), Metcalf (Moulton), Fell Hall, McCormick Gymnasium, and the Felmley Hall of Science which was named for him. Felmley resigned from the presidency due to health issues.

Biographical Note

Served as the university's 6th president, 1900-1930.

Subject/Index Terms

College presidents - Illinois - Normal.
Felmley, David, 1857-1930
Felmley, David, 1857-1930 - Correspondence.
Illinois State Normal University - Presidents.
Universities and colleges - Illinois - Normal.

Administrative Information

Repository: Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives at Illinois State University

Access Restrictions: The entire collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions: Materials held within the Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives are protected by copyright Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Acquisition Method: These materials were transferred to the University Archives after the year 2000. The exact year of transfer is not known. They were inventoried as part of the larger University Archives collection in 2011.

Preferred Citation: David Felmley Presidential Papers, Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois.

Processing Information: Materials were refoldered into acid free folders and reboxed into archival boxes. Metal paper clips were removed and replaced by plastic paper clips. Processed by Jenna Self in summer 2013.

Other URL: https://library.illinoisstate.edu/collections/presidential-history/

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Correspondence, 1891, 1901-1929.],
[Series II: Governance, 1904, 1910, 1912, 1914, 1916-1919, 1922-1923, 1927-1931.],
[Series III: Business Affairs, 1900-1905, 1907-1908, 1913-1916, 1918-1922, 1925-1929, 1932.],
[Series IV: Academic Affairs, 1912, 1918-1920, 1923, 1928-1929.],
[Series V: Student Affairs, 1902-1905, 1913-1936.],
[Series VI: President's Office, 1857-1931, 1997, 2000, 2005.],
[Series VII: Photographs, 1917.],
[Series VIII: Memorabilia, c. 1900.],
[All]

Series V: Student Affairs, 1902-1905, 1913-1936.

Series V contains attendance reports and legislation.

Box 3

Folder 195: Attendance Reports, 1902-1904, 1913-1936.
Folder 196: Legislation, 1905.
Folder 196A: Student Council, 1922.