The papers of William H. Chapin, consisting of writings (published and unpublished) and class lecture notes, primarily document his career as a teacher, researcher, and writer in the field of chemistry. Among the publications in the collection is Chapin’s textbook Second Year College Chemistry (1922, 1933), which he used to stress that the general principles of chemistry should be tested through experience. Also included are laboratory notes and drawings for physics (n.d.), notes for Qualitative Analysis II (1904), and a copy of Organic Chemistry by James Conant (1936). The notes for physics and Qualitative Analysis appeared to have been compiled by Chapin while he was a student at Oberlin College.

Two folders contain miscellaneous published writings (reprints and articles) and one unpublished writing of William H. Chapin (1909-25, 1929-31, n.d.). Some of the titles are “Halide Bases of Tantalum” (1909), “A Course in Analytical Chemistry” (1924), and “Chemical Research Problems” (1925). In addition, he researched and studied ways to assure a pure water system for the community of Oberlin. His writings, a “Report of the Oberlin Water Works Board” (n.d.) and “Water Softening as Practiced at Oberlin, Ohio” (n.d.), address the water supply, soil composition, and water delivery systems for the Oberlin community. Chapin also wrote “Landmarks of Early Oberlin” (1929-30)--a series of Oberlin Alumni Magazine articles concerning buildings and sites of the college and the town.

The papers of Harry N. Holmes (30/265) and the records of the Department of Chemistry (9/10).

W. H. Chapin’s pamphlet “First Church in Oberlin, History and Hopes” is filed in RG 31/4/1 Records of First and Second Congregational Churches, Subgroup I, Series 15, Box 1, and is also available in the Oberlin College Library.

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