William J. Hutchins Papers | Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog

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Collection Overview

Title: William J. Hutchins Papers

Predominant Dates:1900 - 1958

ID: RG 03/3.04

Primary Creator: Hutchins, William James -- 1871-1958

Other Creators: Hutchins Library

Extent: 70.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The collection is arranged in series: Personal/Biographical, Correspondence, Writings, Sermons and Speeches, Subject Files, Printed Material, Foreign Travel, Photographs, and Artifacts.

Subjects: Appalachia -- Description and travel., Appalachian Region, Southern -- History., Appalachian Region, Southern -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- History -- 20th century., Appalachian Region -- Social conditions -- History., Appalachian Region., Berea, (Ky.), Berea College, Berea College -- Campus life, Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- Churches, Presbyterian, Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- Marriage records, Churches, Presbyterian -- Bedford Presbyterian Church., Clergy, Presbyterian -- Sermons., Education, higher -- Administration., Education, Higher -- Appalachian Region -- History., Hutchins, Francis S. (Francis Stephenson) -- 1902-1988, Hutchins, Robert Maynard -- 1899-1977, Hutchins, William James -- 1871-1958, Madison County (Ky.) -- History., Military installations -- World War I., Oberlin College., Travel, foreign -- Missionaries., World War, 1914-1918 -- Military life, World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, World War, 1914-1918 -- Young Men's Christian Association

Languages: English

Abstract

Hutchins, born in 1850 and native of Brooklyn, New York, attended Oberlin College, Yale University, and Oberlin Theological Seminary. In 1896 he graduated from Union Theological Seminary and was ordained a Presbyterian minister, receiving his first pastorate at Bedford Church in Brooklyn. Later that same year,Hutchins married Anna Laura Murch of Cleveland (whom he had met at Oberlin).

In 1907, Hutchins was appointed professor of homiletics in the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. On October 22, 1920, he became president of Berea College, succeeding William G. Frost (who had been a teacher of Hutchins while at Oberlin).

Recognizing the remarkable changes in Appalachia and the United States in the wake of World War I, Hutchins realized that the College would need to adapt to such changes. As such, during his nineteen year tenure as Berea College President, Hutchins worked to expand the college’s physical plant, increase the endowment fund, close the Vocational School, consolidate the Normal School, and strengthen the collegiate programs. This period also saw a great increase in the number of buildings on campus.

During his tenure, Hutchins also served as an advisor to the Danforth Foundation and traveled extensively to India for the Commission on Higher Christian Education in India. Hutchins retired from Berea College in 1939, being succeeded by his son Francis S. Hutchins. He is the second of three generations of the Hutchins family associated with Berea: his father, Robert G. Hutchins, was pastor of Union Church from 1919 to 1921; and his son, Francis S. Hutchins, became Berea's fifth president, serving from 1939 to 1967. Hutchins's eldest son, Robert Maynard Hutchins, was president of the University of Chicago from 1929 to1945. Hutchins passed away in 1958 and is buried in the Berea Cemetery.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection consists of both personal and official papers of William J. Hutchins and document his career as a pastor and an educator, his work as President of Berea College, his travels, and correspondence with family members and others.

Collection Historical Note

Fourth president of Berea College

Subject/Index Terms

Appalachia -- Description and travel.
Appalachian Region, Southern -- History.
Appalachian Region, Southern -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- History -- 20th century.
Appalachian Region -- Social conditions -- History.
Appalachian Region.
Berea, (Ky.)
Berea College
Berea College -- Campus life
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- Churches, Presbyterian
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- Marriage records
Churches, Presbyterian -- Bedford Presbyterian Church.
Clergy, Presbyterian -- Sermons.
Education, higher -- Administration.
Education, Higher -- Appalachian Region -- History.
Hutchins, Francis S. (Francis Stephenson) -- 1902-1988
Hutchins, Robert Maynard -- 1899-1977
Hutchins, William James -- 1871-1958
Madison County (Ky.) -- History.
Military installations -- World War I.
Oberlin College.
Travel, foreign -- Missionaries.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Military life
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
World War, 1914-1918 -- Young Men's Christian Association

Administrative Information

Repository: Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog

Access Restrictions: Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Use Restrictions:

Materials may be restricted due to their personal nature. Federal copyright regulations apply to all other materials. Cite all references to the material in this collection. For information regarding use of copyrighted materials please contact archivist.

Note Regarding Series 2: Box 47/Folder 4 is Restricted.

Note Regarding Series 3: This series consists of a variety of Hutchins’ notebooks and diary excerpts, publications containing Hutchins’ addresses, and articles and clippings by Hutchins--Copyright retained by Francis S. Hutchins. Single photocopies may be made for private use of researchers. Acknowledgement of Berea College Special Collections and Archives as a source is requested.

Note Regarding Series 4: This series contains some RESTRICTED items. See archivist for more information.

Note Regarding Series 5: Copyright to the Camp Sheridan papers held by Francis S. Hutchins. Single copies may be made for private use of researchers. All other materials in this series are unrestricted.

Note Regarding Series 6 and Series 7: Copyright of all materials retained by Francis S. Hutchins; single photocopies may be made for the private use of researchers.

Preferred Citation: [Item description/Folder/Box], William J. Hutchins Papers, Berea College Archives, RG 03/3.04, Berea College Special Collections & Archives, Berea, KY.

Finding Aid Revision History: The finding aid was updated from previous versions in November 2014 by Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist. The box list was updated and revised by Katie L. Roath, Student Associate Archivist, and Rachel Burnside, Archives Processing Assistant. Box 124A was added to Series 8 in November of 2019. In December of 2019, the collection was reprocessed and the boxlist revised by Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist, to make corrections and provide better description of the contents of the collection.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal/Biographical],
[Series 2: Correspondence],
[Series 3: Writings],
[Series 4: Sermons and Speeches],
[Series 5: Subject Files],
[Series 6: Printed Material],
[Series 7: Foreign Travel],
[Series 8: Photographs],
[Series 9: Artifacts],
[All]

Series 8: Photographs

Included in this series are formal portraits and family shots of William J. Hutchins and his family. In addition to Hutchins, persons in the photographs include Anna M. Hutchins, Francis S. Hutchins, Robert Maynard Hutchins, Fannie C. Hutchins, and others. While most are photographs of family activities, a portion of the photographs are of Berea College scenes, buildings, and personalities. For the most part, photos are black and white prints, although some negatives and slides are present, as well as clippings of newsprint photographs. Note: Copyright retained by Francis S. Hutchins; single photocopies may be made for the private use of researchers.

Box 142

Folder 1: Fireside Industries Album

Box 143

Folder 1: Postcards: Oberlin
Folder 2: Postcards: Oberlin
Folder 3: Miscellaneous Postcards: Other items included
Folder 4: Negatives: William J. Hutchins
Folder 5: Negatives: William J. Hutchins
Folder 6: Negatives: William J. Hutchins
Folder 7: Slides: William J. Hutchins
Folder 8: Photographs: William J. Hutchins and Others, 1929-1936; n.d.: Including trip to New York (1934)
Folder 9: Photographs: William J. Hutchins and Others, 1923-1954; n.d.
Folder 10: Photographs: Walter McDougall and Family, 1938-1954; n.d.
Folder 11: Photographs: Weddings and Other Events (Unidentified), n.d.
Folder 12: Photographs: YMCA, Activities during WWII and Camp Sheridan, 1917; n.d.
Folder 13: Photographs: Navy, Miscellaneous, 1913; n.d.: Naval Academy at Annapolis, drills, sailing, other
Folder 14: Photographs: Berea College's President's House, n.d.: Interior and exterior (winter)
Folder 15: Photographs: Warner Williams Art Work and Sculptures, 1947, 1948; n.d.
Folder 16: Photographs: Miscellaneous: Some individuals identified
Folder 17: Photographs: Miscellaneous: Some individuals indentified, including family members
Folder 18: Photographs: Miscellaneous, 1932-1947; n.d.: Group photographs, including those with Henry Ford
Folder 19: Photographs: Miscellaneous: Landscapes, some identified

Box 144

Folder 1: Photographs: Francis S. Hutchins and Others
Folder 2: Photographs: R.G. Hutchins, D.D.
Folder 3: Photographs: Robert M. Hutchins and Family, 1920; n.d.
Folder 4: Photographs: William J. Hutchins: Portraits and others
Folder 5: Photographs: William J. Hutchins
Folder 6: Photographs: William J. Hutchins
Folder 7: Photographs: Anna Murch Hutchins
Folder 8: Photographs: William J. and Anna Laura Murch Hutchins
Folder 9: Photographs: William J. Hutchins and Family
Folder 10: Photographs: William J. Hutchins and Family
Folder 11: Photographs: William J. Hutchins Groups and Family

Box 145A

Oversized Box

Folder 1: Photograph: Mother with Three Daughters, n.d.
Folder 2: Photograph: Anna Murch, n.d.: Anna Much in Maine. Also includes two additional unknown photographs
Folder 3: Photograph: Harriet Huthchins Durstine Orbinson, n.d.: Wedding portrait. Daughter of Robert G. Hutchins, Jr.
Folder 4: Sketch: W.J. Hutchins, n.d.: Additional unknown sketch
Folder 5: Photograph: Francis Sessions Hutchins, n.d.: Brother of W.J. Hutchins
Folder 6: Photograph: Oberlin Theological Seminary, n.d.: Group photograph of faculty and students: includes W.J. Hutchins
Folder 7: Photograph: Unidentified Group Photograph, n.d.: Men and women
Folder 8: Photograph: Brooklyn Church Group, n.d.: Anna Murch Hutchins identified in photograph. Group of women and young children
Folder 9: Photograph: Maynard Hale Murch, Jr
Folder 10: Photograph: W.J. Hutchins on Front Lawn of New President's House, n.d.: Berea
Folder 11: Photograph: W.J. Hutchins, n.d.: Portrait, torn in half
Folder 12: Photograph: Oberlin College Class of 1892, 1892: Men only
Folder 13: Photograph: Oberlin College Class of 1892, 1892: Men and women
Folder 14: Photograph: Yale University, Reunion Class of 1892, n.d.
Folder 15: Photograph: W.J. Hutchins, n.d.: Portrait proof; note on back, in Washington
Folder 16: Photograph: House, n.d.: Location unknown, multiple addresses listed on back
Folder 17: Photograph: Young Child, n.d.
Folder 18: Photograph: Portrait of Bride, n.d.: Unidentified
Folder 19: Photograph: W.J. Hutchins, n.d.: Portrait
Folder 20: Photograph: W.J. Hutchins, n.d.: Portrait
Folder 21: Photograph: Minnie Jeffrey Hutchins, n.d.: Wife of Robert Grosvenor Hutchins, Jr.
Folder 22: Photograph: Margaret Hutchins Bronson and Katherine Hutchins Heminway, n.d.: Daughters of Robert G. Hutchins, Jr.
Folder 23: Photograph: Yale University, Class of 1892, 1892: Note on back
Folder 24: Photograph: Bobby Hutchins, 1932: Young child. Deceased son of Eleanor Bradley Hutchins and William Grosvenor Hutchins
Folder 25: Photographs: Robert Maynard Hutchins, n.d.: (1)In academic robe (as young man); (2) in robe with other person
Folder 26: Photograph: Three Boys, n.d.: Sons of W.J. Hutchins?
Folder 27: Photographs, 1896, 1929, n.d.: (1) Aug 1, 1929, Group photograph after Dinner with Governor Ho Chien in China; (2) Wedding Photograph, family and wedding party, n.d. (Francis and Robert Hutchins in photograph); (3) Union Theological Seminary, 1896 (note on back). All oversized photographs
Folder 28: Photographs: Maynard Hale Murch, Jr. and Leah Murch, n.d.: Two portraits of M.H. Murch; one portrait of Leah Murch
Folder 29: Photographs: Robert Maynard Hutchins, n.d.: Portraits and others; all oversized

Box 145B

Folder 1: Photographs: Landscapes, Buildings, Other, 1905-1941; n.d.: Some identified
Folder 2: Photographs: W.J. Hutchins and Other, 1937-1938; n.d.
Folder 3: Photographs: Postcards, 1936; n.d.
Folder 4: Photographs: Berea College Students, Staff, Faculty and President W.J. Hutchins with President Coolidge, 1926: June 1926 at White House, Washington, D.C. Berea College students, W. J. Hutchins and Anna Smith; includes list of persons visiting White House
Folder 5: Photographs: Daguerreotypes: 2 daguerreotypes of unidentified females
Folder 6: Negatives: Males in Football and Athletic Gear, n.d.
Folder 7: Photographs: Berea College: Poor condition
Folder 8: Photographs: Berea College and Other
Folder 9: Photographs: Hutchins Family
Folder 10: Postcards and Ephemera: Non-Berea
Folder 11: Postcards: Non-Berea, including some from Oberlin
Folder 12: Photographs: Lake Superior and Surroundings: On board
Folder 13: Photographs: Lake Superior and Surroundings: On board
Folder 14: Photographs: Berea College Kindergarten, 1936
Folder 15: Photographs: YMCA Activities During WWI, Camp Sheridan: Poor condition; post cards included
Folder 16: Photographs: "Reading Selections of Ada McCormick", n.d.: Book exhibits with people included in photographs
Folder 17: Photographs: Hutchins Family: William J. and Francis S. Hutchins, other
Folder 18: Photographs: Various Groups of People, 1926-1946; n.d.: Including Hutchins family members
Folder 19: Photographs: Clippings and Other: Robert, Maud and William J. Hutchins
Folder 20: Photographs: Clippings: Robert, Maud and William J. Hutchins
Folder 21: Photographs: Clippings
Folder 22: Photographs: Religious