President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold, 1888-1892

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State Agricultural College. Office of the President.
Title
President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold
Dates
1888-1892 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.15 cubic feet, (1 box)
Collection Number
RG 013 - SG 01
Summary
The President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold consist of correspondence related to the operation and management of the State Agricultural College of Oregon from 1888-1892 and an 1892 obituary for B. L. Arnold. Arnold was the second President of the State Agricultural College (now Oregon State University), a position he held from 1872 to 1892.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Benjamin Lea Arnold was born October 29, 1839 in Mecklenburg, Virginia. He received his B.S. from Randolph Macon College and taught in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. After serving in the Confederate army under General Robert E. Lee, Arnold taught at colleges in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. Benjamin L. Arnold became the second president of the State Agricultural College in 1872 and served in that capacity until his death on January 30, 1892. During his twenty year career, he oversaw major funding and organizational changes to the college, growth of the institution to a dozen faculty members and more than 150 students, and the development of new academic departments including Military Science, Agriculture, and Household Economy and Hygiene.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains correspondence sent and received by B. L. Arnold and his staff concerning the State Agricultural College from 1888 to 1892 and includes communications with the Board of Regents, current and future faculty members, government officials, and other parties. The collection also contains a photocopy of Arnold's obituary as it appeared in the Corvallis Gazette on February 12, 1892. Additional correspondence from the Arnold presidency can be found in the President's Office Records of John M. Bloss, Series I.

In addition to the original paper documents, a partial, microfilmed copy of this collection is available upon request.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

The President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold (RG 013 - SG 01), Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold are arranged into two series: I: Correspondence, 1888-1892; II: Obituary, 1892. All correspondence is arranged chronologically.

Acquisition Information

These records were transferred to the University Archives by the OSU President's Office.

Custodial History

The President’s Office Records of B.L. Arnold were transferred to the University Archives by the OSU President's Office. The collection is now held by the OSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center.

Related Materials

Related Materials

Related content from Arnold's presidency can be found in the Benjamin L. Arnold Papers and Subgroup 12 of the President's Office Records. Additional materials relating to the presidents of Oregon State University include the President's Office Records (RG 013), the Presidents of Oregon State University Photographic Collection (P 001), the President's Office Photographs Collection (P 092), the President's Office Motion Picture Film and Videotapes Collection (FV P 092), the Board of Regents Records (RG 008), the Board of Trustees Records (RG 033), and the the Oregon State University Memorabilia Collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Correspondence, 1888-1892Return to Top

This series contains correspondence between B. L. Arnold and members of the State Agricultural College Board of Regents, various state and federal officials, and private citizens concerning the management and operation of the State Agricultural College of Oregon between 1888 and 1892. Subjects discussed include availability of military officers for service as instructors, faculty candidates, course offerings, budgets, and upkeep of the college grounds. Additional correspondence from the Arnold presidency can be found in the President's Office Records of John M. Bloss, Series I.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Correspondence
1888-1889
1
Correspondence
1890
1
Correspondence
1891-1892

Series II:  Obituary, 1892Return to Top

This series contains a photocopy of B. L. Arnold's obituary published in The Corvallis Gazette on February 12, 1892.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Obituary of B. L. Arnold
1891-1892

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • College buildings--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • College presidents--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Education, Higher--Oregon.
  • Universities and colleges--Curricula--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Universities and colleges--Law and legislation--Oregon.
  • Universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis--Administration.
  • Universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis--Finance.

Personal Names

  • Arnold, B. L. (Benjamin Lea), 1839-1892.

Corporate Names

  • Corvallis College.
  • Oregon State Agricultural College.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Arnold, B. L. (Benjamin Lea), 1839-1892. (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Oregon State Agricultural College. (creator)
    • Oregon State Agricultural College. Board of Regents. (creator)