Table of ContentsCollection OverviewCollection Inventory+/-Biographical Note/Historical NoteContent DescriptionCollection UseAdministrative InformationSubjects |
Collection Overview +/-
Collection Inventory +/-
box 1, folder 1: Correspondence, Incoming (1964 November-1969 June)
box 1, folder 2: Correspondence, Outgoing (1964 May-1971 July)
box 1, folder 3: Dedication (1964 December 4)
box 1, folder 4: Groundbreaking (1964 May 28)
box 1, folder 5: Guidebooks (1982-1983, 1988-1989, 1989-1990)
box 1, folder 6: Program -- Flag dedication (1965 February 22)
box 1, folder 7: Reports (1971-1972)
Biographical Note/Historical Note +/-Nightingale Library and other Westminster College libraries through the years: Converse Hall, completed in 1907 housed the college library from 1911 until the March 12, 1926 fire, which destroyed much of the college's classroom and office space as well as its 14,000-volume library, regarded at the time as one of the finest private collections in the American West. F. R. Payne, then president of the Board of Trustees, raised $50,000 for the rebuilding of Converse Hall in just one week. Ultimately, $300,000 (over 2 million in 2006 dollars) was raised, allowing for the complete rebuilding of Converse Hall within its original walls. The newly reconstructed Converse Hall was open for classes by September 1926. Converse Hall stood relatively unscathed until the mid-sixties when the ivy covering its facade started pulling out bricks and causing extreme damage. While temporary measures were taken to maintain the building, the library moved to a new location. Eventually in 1988 extensive restoration of Converse Hall began. The Nightingale Building, or just "Night" as it's more popularly known, housed the campus library from 1964-1997. Dedicated as the W. T. Nightingale Memorial Library on December 7, 1964, during President W. Fred Arbogast's term (1963 to 1968), it is named to honor William T. Nightingale, late trustee, for his service to Westminster College and its community. Since the construction of the Giovale Library (completed in 1997), Nightingale has been renovated and now houses many classrooms, most of which are equipped with state-of-the-art multimedia technology. Biography of W.T. Nightingale: W.T. Nightingale, a major contributor to Westminster College, served as President and Chairman of the Board of the Mountain Fuel Company, later to be renamed Questar Corporation. William Thomas Nightingale was born July 6, 1897 to immigrant parents in Carbonado, Pierce County, Washington, a small coal-mining town. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Nightingale attended Portland, Oregon schools. He studied geology at the University of Washington where he earned his B.A. During his college years he was a boxer at the University. Nightingale's first job was as a geologist at Whitehall Petroleum Corp. of London. The position took him to Burma, Kashmir, and Assam, India. Returning to the States, he pursued an M.A. at the University of Washington, then joined the Ohio Oil Co. in Montana. According to David Hampshire's book on the history of the Questar Corporation (earlier called Western Public Service Corp. and Moutain Fuel):
W.T. Nightingale stepped down as president in August 1962 and became Chairman of the Board until his death. On May 4, 1964, Nightingale, suffering from pancreatic cancer, died from a heart attack at age 66. He was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In honor of his contributions to Westminster College, the W. T. Nightingale Memorial Library was erected. Nightingale's widow, Mrs. W.T. Nightingale, attended the dedication ceremonies on December 7, 1964. Sources:
Content Description +/-This collection consists of correspondence, programs, flyers, guides, and statistics relating to the Nightingale Library at Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. The materials date from 1964-1990. The earliest materials in the collection announce the building of the library in memory of the late William Thomas Nightingale, trustee to the college and influential business man. The collection contains invitations and the program of the W.T. Nightingale Memorial Library dedication on December 4, 1964. Speeches given at the dedication, including one by Dr. Wesley A. Hotchkiss, professor at Westminster College, entitled "Lost in Objectivity", photographs of the ceremony, and materials on other dedication speakers (President Fredrick Arbogast, Dr. Manford A. Shaw, and Mrs. W.T. Nightingale) are also in the collection. The correspondence pertains to the creation and dedication of Nightingale Library; it includes personal invitations from President Arbogast to persons important to Westminster College and the surrounding Salt Lake City. Six letters of regret (from Utah Governor George D. Clyde, philanthropist George S. Eccles, and others) were received reporting on the invitees' inability to attend the dedication. Other correspondence is related to the concern for missing materials from the library, as well as the offer and acceptance of a donation to the library by Reverend A. M. Thomas of the Methodist Church in Rupert, Idaho. Other library events are chronicled in various programs and invitations. Examples of events are the dedication of the flag of the United States by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the groundbreaking ceremony, complete with excerpts from a speech by Governor Clyde. Additional materials include student guidebooks containing library policies, information on student library research assistance, an inventory of audio-visual equipment, and statistical information about the Nightingale Library for the 1971-1972 academic year. Collection Use +/-Restrictions on Access: Open to public research. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law. Twenty-four hours advance notice is encouraged. Restrictions on Use: It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material must be obtained from the director of the Giovale Library. Preferred Citation: Westminster College Nightingale Library records, 1964-1990, ACC-103, Giovale Library Archives, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Administrative Information +/-Arrangement: The collection is arranged alphabetically by genre and chronologically thereunder. Processing Note: Processed July 2004 by Alana Dela Cruz. Creator: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Library Westminster College of Salt Lake City. Library Language: Collection materials are in English. Quantity: 0.2 linear feet Language of the Finding Aid: English. Author of the Finding Aid: Finding aid written by Alana Dela Cruz in July 2004; historical and biographical notes written July 2012 by Sarah Shaw. EAD Creation Date: 2010 September 8 by Sarah Shaw Standard: Describing Archives : A Content Standard (DACS) Subarea: ArchivesRelated Material: Related collections in Giovale Library Archives:
Subjects +/-Corporate Names: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Library--Archives Subject Terms: Dedication services--Utah--Salt Lake City
Form or Genre Terms: Correspondence Personal Names: Arbogast, W. Fred (W. Fredrick), 1906-1984 Geographical Names: Salt Lake City (Utah)--History--Sources |
