Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Theodore Rowan papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Theodore Rowan papers
- Date
- 1919-1934, 1954-1962, undated (inclusive)
- Creator
- Rowan, Theodore
- Extent
- 0.11 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Letters.
- Programs.
- College fraternity members.
- African American fraternal organizations.
- African Americans.
- African Americans -- Kentucky
- African Americans -- Employment -- Kentucky.
- African Americans -- Education (Higher)
- Teachers.
- Education
- Education, Higher.
- Essays.
- Scripts.
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms132.0734: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Theodore Rowan papers, 1919-1934, 1954-1962, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Theodore Rowan (1904-1974) was born in Valley Station, Kentucky to Henry Rowan (b. 1856) and Emma Fleming (1860-1951). He attended Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky and later Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He returned to Louisville where he was able to secure a position as a teacher at his alma mater, Central High School. In 1927, he married Elsa Wilhite (b. 1905) and together they had one child, Theodore Jr. (b. 1928).
- American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
- Scope and Content
- The Theodore Rowan papers (dated 1919-1934, 1954-1962, undated; 0.11 cubic feet; 11 folders) comprises letters, programs, essays, newspaper clippings, scripts, and personal papers that document the life and education of Theodore Rowan in Kentucky in the twentieth century. The programs include events Rowan performed at and attended as both a student and faculty member. The essays include a speech given by Rowan at his commencement ceremony, outlines for assignments, and poetry. The newspaper clippings discuss the Fisk University debate team, rioting that occurred at the school, and the monthly newspaper for Central High School. The scripts are of an untitled creole play and a Pageant of Negro History. The personal papers include information on Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and their pledging system, Rowan's acceptance into Fisk University, a student newsletter from Fisk University, and a letter hiring Rowan to work as a teacher in Louisville.
- The Theodore Rowan papers collection is part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letters, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Central High School papers, 1919-1934
Clippings, 1962, undated
The Current, newspaper of Central High School, 1919-1923, undated
Essays, 1921, undated
"Fashionetta" program, 1954 December 10
The Greater Fisk Herald, 1928 June
Kappa Alpha Psi papers, 1926-1928, undated
Letters to Theodore Rowan, 1923, 1931
"Pageant of Negro History" by Charles B. Peterson, 1932
Personal papers, 1930-1931
Untitled creole play, undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
