Memorials:
Researching monuments in Oberlin

Below are some print and digital resources that should help your research project on an Oberlin memorial.

When reviewing a new web site, remember to evaluate it first.

OBIS -- Useful subject headings

Type the following in the "subject" search box for relevant books and web sites.

Memorials:

    Historic buildings

    Historic sites

    Historic sites -- United States -- Guidebooks

    Historical markers

    Memorials

    Monuments

    National monuments

    Sepulchral Monuments

    Soldiers monuments

    Triumphal arches

Boxer Rebellion:

     China -- History -- Boxer Rebellion (select "Limit/Sort Search" to restrict results to English)

     Also try Keyword = boxer rebellion and shansi

     Also try Keyword = boxer rebellion and oberlin

Underground Railroad:

     Fugitive slaves -- United States

     Underground Railroad

     Underground Railroad -- Ohio

World War II:

     War Memorials

     World War, 1939-1945--Monuments

     World War, 1939-1945--Trophies

Reference Works

Encyclopedia of American national parks.

edited by Hal K. Rothman and Sara Dant Ewert
Armonk, N.Y. : M.E. Sharpe, c2004

Main Reference E 160 .E53 2004 vol 1 & 2

Historical gazetteer of the United States.

Paul T. Hellmann
New York : Routledge, 2005

Main Reference E 154 .H45 2005

Databases and Indexes

The Main Library's History Resources Subject Guide lists databases and indexes relevant for studying Oberlin memorials. 

To gather periodical articles about an artist try Art Abstracts or ARTbibliographies Modern.  For architectus use The Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals.

Local resources:

The following titles can be used to learn more about Oberlin College memorials:

The Electronic Oberlin Group is a local volunteer organization dedicated to digitizing documents related to Oberlin history.

Guide to finding Oberlin Newspapers describes where local newspapers are housed, how far back our holding go, and their format (microform, digital or print).  They also list any indexes that have been created.

Oberlin College Archives houses primary sources relating to the history of the college.  Their Finding Guides provide brief descriptions of the items they house.  Although they have several digital collections (use the drop down menu to see them all) they represent a very small percentage of their holdings.  For most of the material in archives you will need to make an appointment.  Review their finding guides, identify promising files, and then make and appointment to review their contents.   You'll need to start early in the semester; they have a limited staff and appointments filll up quickly.

The Ohio Historical Society's Ohio Historical Markers project documents over 1,200 markers that tell the story of Ohio's rich cultural history. 

The Ohio Outdoor Sculpture Inventory, managed by the Sculpture Center in Cleveland, is documenting public sculpture across the state.  Use this site to find memorials both on and off campus.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is Oberlin's local history organization.  They are actively documenting the history of Oberlin, making much of their work available on their Oberlin History Resources page.  They also have a library which can be used by appointment. 

National Resources

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., has several projects that document sculpture, architecture, or historic sites that also include memorials.  Search their Art Inventories with the "owner" of "Oberlin" for sites in the town and on campus.  Their remaining projects can be searched individually or simultaneously via their Cross Catalog Searching Center.