With the prominent exception of versions of two letters Mark M. Heald (1892-1971) sent from France during World War I (c. 1918), this collection consists primarily of materials from Heald’s time at Oberlin. Lists of expenses (1910-12) and copious class notes (Series II) document student days at Oberlin College. There are also notes for classes Heald taught while a teaching fellow at the University of Minnesota (1916-17). Series III holds several postcards of the Oberlin campus and buildings (1910-1914) sent by Heald to friends in his Canton, Illinois hometown (seven sent; two received), and also many invitations (c. 1914-16) received by Heald and his wife June Kilts Heald which display a lively social life among Oberlin College and Academy faculty. Other items in Series III include a 1914 Oberlin College Commencement booklet, an ‘Oberlin Songs’ printed collection (n.d.), and a guide to dissecting turtles (n.d.).

Series I. Biographical Files, 1910-12, 1918-19, 1971 (3f)

This series consists of a daily calendar (1910-11), and a record of his expenses during his first two years (1910-12) at Oberlin. Transferred from Heald’s student file in 2005 are versions of two letters (typescript and printed) sent from France by Heald to his father and sister in Illinois. One describes his life at the front; the other mentions observing an air battle involving ‘Flying Ace’ Eddie Rickenbacker. Both were printed in the Canton (Illinois) Daily Register (1918-19).

Series II. Course and Lecture Notes, 1909-14, 1916-17 (17f)

Sub-series 1. Undergraduate, 1909-14 (16f)

This sub-series is composed of notes and class materials pertaining to classes Heald attended while an undergraduate at Oberlin College, 1910-14. The folders are arranged alphabetically, by class title. The first folder marked “Bible, 1909–10” consists of notes apparently taken by another Oberlin student in 1909. Heald enrolled at Oberlin in the fall of 1910. Also included is a folder containing notes or talking points from two extracurricular lectures Heald attended (or gave): the first is entitled “Seminary Convention, Oberlin, Nov. 23-25, 1911”; the second is entitled “Theta Club” (Dec. 6, n.d.) and is on the subject of “The Character and the personal Life of the intending minister.”

Sub-series 2. Teaching Fellow, University of Minnesota, 1916-17 (1f)

This folder contains notes for several classes taught by Heald while he was a teaching fellow at the University of Minnesota (1916-17).

Series III. Postcards, Invitations, and Printed Matter, 1910-24, n.d. (2f)

This series contains seven postcards sent by Heald to friends in Canton, Illinois during his undergraduate years at Oberlin (1910-14); two other postcards, dated 1916 and 1924, were sent to Heald. All nine postcards are photographic views of Oberlin. A card sent to June Kilts has a small map drawn by Heald, identifying buildings on the Oberlin campus in 1910. Invitations document a lively social life kept by Heald and his wife during Heald’s tenure at the Oberlin Academy (1914-16). Other printed materials include a 1914 Oberlin College commencement booklet, an Oberlin Glee Club concert program (1917), an Oberlin College songbook (n.d.), and a booklet describing to students of anatomy how to dissect a turtle (n.d.).