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Two folders of correspondence written by Murray McMurray (class of 1910). The bulk of the correspondence is addressed to Jessie.

This collection is organized into four series: Biographical, Correspondence, Military, and Photographs.

Series 1: Biographical (1924-1981)

The Biographical series includes personal items including Ley’s birth certificate, framed high school basketball letter, and Catechism bible, as well as a handwritten copy of a poem composed by his mother for his funeral service. The series also includes an extensive scrapbook including photos, personal and educational documents, and newspaper clippings from early childhood until after his death.

Series 2: Correspondence (1939-1946)

The Correspondence series consists of three sub-series: letters written by Jimmy Ley, letters written to Ley and returned to his parents, and letters written to his parents after his disappearance. Ley’s letters are almost exclusively addressed to his parents and date from between just before he first attended Grinnell College in the fall of 1939 until his disappearance in February 1944. Ley’s letters are organized chronologically and divided into folders by location, mostly military camps where Ley was stationed. Mostly written by the families of other missing men in Ley’s flight crew, the letters to Jimmy’s parents after his death date from between November 1944 and August 1945 and are arranged alphabetically by sender’s last name.

Series 3: Military (unkown-1948)

The Military series consists of Ley’s official certificates and awards, bomb squadron yearbook, air force patch, and framed medals (Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart).

Series 4: Photographs (unknown-1945)

The Photographs series includes fifteen unframed photographs, a portrait in a display folder, a framed photo collage documenting the medals Ley earned, a large framed portrait displayed at Ley’s funeral, and a large framed artistic collage of Ley’s plane and flight crew.

Included are “memories of a Freshman Year”, a reminiscence given at the class of 1940’s 50th reunion dinner on June 2, 1990, as well a “Moments in a Grinnell Experience” given at the Class of 1940’s 55th reunion dinner on June 2, 1995. These typed speeches include photographs of comical sketches of the Grinnell experience as drawn by Wes Davies. In an oversize drawer marked “Moments in a Grinnell Experience”, there are drafts of the sketches, full-sized sketches, and copies of the reminiscences.

Series 1: Biographical about Isabella Beaton, including recital pamphlets, family photographs, materials on the Beaton School of Music, academic degrees . Minimal biographical information about her cousin, Abby Williams-Hill, and her father, William Beaton, are also included.

Series 2: Correspondence to and from Isabella Beaton, Carrie Park, Ada Park, Ruth Hubbard, William Beaton

Series 3: Three pieces of music composed by Isabella Beaton and information about one piece for which there is no existing music.

Series 4: Pieces of music and music magazines owned by, but not created by, Isabella Beaton and/or The Beaton School of Music.

Isabella Beaton graduated from the Iowa College Conservatory of Music in 1890.

President George Drake and his brother, Professor Richard Drake of Berea College, donated family papers to Grinnell College Archives January 1991.  The bulk of the material is from their father, George Bryant Drake. It consists of correspondence, notes for sermons, family financial and business records, clippings, photographs, ca. 1920s-80s.  One box contains writings of Richard Drake, one box correspondence and writings of George Drake and family, one box papers of Alberta Drake, a box of Nell Drake's writings and publications.

George Bryant Drake (1895-1979) was a Congregational Minister and President of Doane College in Nebraska. He and his wife, Alberta Stimson Drake, had three children: George Albert Drake (1934-), professor and President of Grinnell College; Richard Bryant Drake (1925-), professor at Berea College; and Alberta Jane Drake (1928-). George Bryant was called Bryant; his parents were Nellie Jennie Rice Drake and George Burton Drake.

This collection consists of some 45 years of correspondence and scholarship regarding naval history.  Correspondents are listed below and span not only the United States but also the British Isles and the Continent.

Consists of postcards of Iowa towns, events, people, and scenery.

An invitation to the 1908 Commencement.
An invitation to the 1938 Commencement.
Alumni Association reproduction of "Come Ye Back to Old Grinnell" from April 1, 1945.

This collection of papers and materials seeks to document the experience of black students throughout the history of Grinnell College. The collection was the idea of Dr. Irma McClaurin during her time as a visiting scholar for the month of February 2024.

Records of the libraries, including acquisitions, budgets, personnel, and buildings.

Papers and records of various student organizations and projects.

The collection contains versions of The Ladies' Education Society's constitution and articles of incorporation, membership, minutes, reports, and accounting from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The collection consists of twenty-six letters, one land deed, and three loose envelopes.

Letters are written between George Washigton Cook and Electa C. Cook to family and friends, particularly Sarah E. Cook, Collins Cook, and Henry W. Cook. The letters detail life in Grinnell, IA, during the 1857-1860 time period.

The land deed is dated January 1, 1859 and is signed by J.B. Grinnell.