Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Treble Clef Club Collection. 1922-2015, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of the club’s meeting minutes, secretary and treasurer’s notes, programs, yearbooks, scrapbooks and music sheets.

The Treble Clef Club was chartered in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1904 by women interested in the study of music. The club originally agreed to have no more than 20 members who would meet twice a month to study composers and perform their works. In 1908 the club expanded membership due to increased interest. The first junior club, for high school girls, was started in 1922 but did not succeed. The club tried again in 1944, creating a club with 28 girls. By 1964, …

Ruff, Walter Glen, Collection, 1883-1962, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of sheet music, guides, books, and other materials related to W. Glen Ruff and his music shop.

Walter Glen Ruff (1904-1989) was born in Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State Teachers College. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Kansas in 1940. Following this, he taught instrumental and vocal music on both the high school and college level. Ruff served with the American Red Cross in India and Ceylon during World War II. Afterwards, he was head of the music department at Western Carolina Teachers College. In 1950, he moved back to Kansas at opened …

Krulish, Mabel A. (Edwards), Collection, 1935-1939, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, photographs, programs, cards, and more related to Girard High School.

Mabel A. (Edwards) Krulish (1918-2010) was born and raised in Girard, Kansas. She graduated from Girard High School in 1936, and began working in the Crawford County schools. Krulish kept a scrapbook of her senior year and of her sibling’s high school experience. In 1946, she married Frank E. Krulish (1910-2003) of New York. Frank Krulish had served as a US Marine during World War II, fighting in Iwo Jima and was among the first occupying forces in Japan. Afterwards, they lived in New York …

Rudesill, Henry, Papers, 1894-1895, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

These are the papers of Henry Rudesill consisting of correspondence and newspapers sent to him by his mother and father during his attendance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Oberlin, Ohio.

Henry Milton Rudesill was born on May 8, 1873 in Ashland, Ohio to Henrietta Rudesill and John C. Rudesill. In 1890, the family moved from Ohio to Hutchinson, Kansas. After receiving his music education degree from the University of Kansas School of Music, Rudesill moved to Oberlin, Ohio to attend the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. While at the Conservatory, Rudesill studied organ, piano, and harp, and was a member …

Fiddler's Fund Collection, 1970-1981, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

The collection of the Fiddler’s Fund consists of letters, newspaper clippings; article, meeting minutes, IRS tax information, deposit checks, non-profit filings, scholarship applications, and bank account balance reports for a musical-support organization.

Created in 1970, the Fiddler's Fund of Pittsburg Inc. was a non-profit organization (501c3) dedicated to raising money and providing scholarships for K-12 students in need of musical instruments and lessons. In 1980, after its dissolution, the Fiddler’s Fund donated its remaining funds to the Pittsburg State University Music Department for scholarships.

Ruggles Family Collection, 1897-1964, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of music sheets, school work, handbooks, and children’s books.

James Ruggles (1933-2015) was born to George and Zelpha Ruggles in Pittsburg, Kansas. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College (now Pittsburg State University) in 1953, and received his medical degree from the University of Kansas in 1957. From 1963 to 1965, Ruggles worked in the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. He then completed a two-year fellowship in Pathology at the University of Minnesota, and worked as a pathologist for 39 years. In 1991, he and Ramona Woolley married in Yankton, South Dakota. In his pastime, James enjoyed music, …

Purcell, Arleen, Collection, 1919-1991, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of documents and items related to Fort Scott and southeast Kansas, and Arleen Purcell’s travels and studies.

Arleen Purcell (1912-2001) was an elementary school teacher in Fort Scott, Kansas who collaborated in writing the musical Footprints on the Frontier. She was married to Ralph Emerson Purcell, with whom she had two sons. Purcell took great interest in local history and community organizations. In the 1970s, she took study abroad trips through Western Illinois University and the Kansas State College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State University) to South America.

Whitehead, Bryan, Collection, 1948-2005, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of programs, documents, brochures, maps, and postcards relating to railroads, music, and Bryan K. Whitehead’s travels.

Bryan K. Whitehead (1925-2008) was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Joseph and Mary Miller Whitehead. He and his family moved to Pratt, Kansas in 1936 where he attended school until his high school graduation in 1942. Before attending Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, Bryan worked as a Rock Island Railroad clerk. Bryan and Mary Hertlein were married in 1943. He served as a musician in the Army Air Corps during World War II, becoming an active musician among the community upon …

Richards, J. J., Collection, 1982-2007, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

Letters, photographs, papers, research, music, and music lists relating to the career and life of John Joseph Richards and other musicians such as Merle Evans, Karl King, and John Phillip Sousa.

Martin, Carolann, Collection, 1961-2019, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A Collection of VHS tapes, cassettes tapes, coursework, music, recordings, student essays and coursework belonging to Dr. Carolann Martin.

Carolann Martin was born on Nov. 20, 1935, in Woodward, Oklahoma to John C. Martin and Leah Shilling. In 1957, she received a scholarship from Oklahoma State University. From 1958-1961 she was appointed conductor for the local marine band, rising to the rank of 1^st Lieutenant. In 1964, she received her masters of arts from Ohio State University. 1977, she began her career in the music department at Pittsburg State University, while taking summer courses at the University of Arizona. …

National Forensic League Collection, 1959-1986, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of scrapbooks containing photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, and correspondence related to Pittsburg High School’s forensic and debate tournaments.

The National Forensic League (NFL), founded by Bruno E. Jacob at Ripon College in Wisconsin, began in 1925 to motivate high school students to participate in speech and debate activities. The first national tournament was held in 1931 with 49 schools participating. The League, now the National Speech and Debate Association, celebrates 1,000,000 members and at least 3,000 programs. Pittsburg High School held its first Annual NFL Banquet in 1959 and continues its participation in the tournaments today.

Cayton, Mary C., Collection, 1974-1977, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A scrapbook on the Pittsburg Centennial in 1976 and Mary Cayton’s creation of the scrapbooks for the celebration described by a summary of each page.

Mary Catherine Cayton was born to Will and Lillie Ingles on April 30, 1903 in Missouri. She married Sam E. Cayton and they moved to Pittsburg, Kansas between 1935 and 1940. Mary compiled a scrapbook on Pittsburg for the Centennial celebration in 1976. Lois Bellm, donor of the scrapbook, lived and studied in Pittsburg. She graduated from Kansas State Teachers College with a music degree and worked and owned the Ernie Williamson Music House in …

Phillips, Pauline, Collection, 1921-1930, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of a scrapbook, scrapbook items, and other papers of Pauline Phillip’s time at Kansas State Teachers College (1921-1925), now Pittsburg State University.

Pauline Phillips was born on August 30, 1899 and grew up near Columbus, Kansas. She attended the Kansas State Teachers College from 1921 to 1925. Pauline conducted the Commercial Department of Cedar Vale High School (Kansas) for two years before receiving her degree in 1925. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the W.A.A., and the YWCA. Pauline passed away on October 8, 1987.

Heilman, Ron, Collection, Circa 1980-2000, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

A collection of Ron Heilman (aka Ronald Mann) fashion and event designs including photographs, sketches, and magazine and newspaper clippings.

Ron Heilman (1950-2009) grew up near Wichita, Kansas. During his formative years he developed an interest in art and design. During a trip to New York City, the Fifth Avenue retailing, 7^th Avenue couture, and Broadway inspired him to pursue designing as a vocation. Ron graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1972 with a BA in Theater, and later received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Costume Design from Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania. Ron Heilman, professionally known as …