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Special Collections and Archives

Grand River Institute, Records, 1855-1927 [bulk 1860-1880]

Grand River Institute, Records, 1855-1927 [bulk 1860-1880]

Inventory

Prepared by Stephanie Wachalec, December 30, 2003
1 slim document case, .16 cubic feet, 11th floor

Historical Note

The Grand River Institute, originally named the Ashtabula County Institute of Science and Industry, was founded in 1831 by a group of prominent Austinburg Congregational Church leaders. The school was originally intended to prepare young men for ministerial vocations, but in 1840, it began to admit female students as well. Betsy Mix Cowles was appointed as the school's first female principal in charge of the Women's Department, a post she held from 1843-1848. The institution's name and location changed in 1836 at the behest of Joab Austin, a wealthy citizen who pledged a sizeable endowment for the school.

The above information was located in Balanced in the Wind: A Biography of Betsy Mix Cowles by Linda Geary (Associated University Press, 1989), pp. 46-47.

Scope and Content

This collection includes many miscellaneous documents, including catalogs, commencement and organizational programs. Related information can be found in the Betsy Mix Cowles, Papers.

Box 1

Folder -- Contents
  1. Bulletin of Grand River Institute, February 1927
  2. Catalog, 1859-1860 [Giles H. Cowles, student]
  3. Catalog, 1860-1861 [Giles H. Cowles, student]
  4. Catalog, 1861-1862 [Giles W. Cowles, student]
  5. Catalog, 1864 [E. H. Cowles, student]
  6. Catalog, 1865 [Louisa L. Cowles, student]
  7. Catalog, 1870-1871 [E. H. Cowles, student]
  8. Catalog, 1871-1872 [Julia Cowles, student]
  9. Catalog, 1872-1873 [Julia Cowles, student]
  10. Catalog, 1873-1874 [Julia Cowles, student]
  11. Catalog, 1874-1875
  12. Catalog, 1875-1876 [L. M. Cowles, student]
  13. Catalog, 1881-1882
  14. Commencement programs, 1870, 1871
  15. Commencement programs, 1872, 1873
  16. Commencement programs, 1874, 1875
  17. Commencement programs, 1876, 1877
  18. Commencement programs, 1878, 1882
  19. Commencement programs, 1883, 1884
  20. Commencement programs, [no date]
  21. Order of exercises, 1858, 1858, 1861-64, 1866, 1868
  22. Posters, Disputatorian Literary Society 1874, 1875, Disputes and Fiats, [no date] (shelved in 11th floor map case)
  23. Programs, Disputatorian Literary Society, 1869, 1871-1874, 1876, 1877, 1881
  24. Programs, Fiat Justitian Society, 1873-1877
  25. Programs, Miscellaneous, 1855, 1863, 1872, 1881-1883, and [no date]
  26. Programs, Union Literary Society, 1858, 1862, 1866-1872