Collection Summary
William Orr Papers
1890-1939
(bulk 1920-1927)
1890-1939
(bulk 1920-1927)
MSS35246
Orr, William,
1860-1939
1,800
items
6 containers
2.4 linear feet
English
Collection material in
English
Manuscript Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Educator.
Correspondence, diaries, reports, writings, and memorabilia relating primarily
to Orr’s service as education adviser on a special mission for the YMCA in
Europe. Includes articles and papers of his first wife, Charlotte Pettis
Orr.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Orr, Charlotte Pettis. Charlotte Pettis Orr papers.
Orr, William, 1860-1939.
Subjects
Education--Eastern, Europe.
Education--Europe.
Geology--Massachusetts--Springfield.
Young Men's Christian associations--Europe.
Places
Europe--Description and travel.
Occupations
Educators.
Provenance
The papers of William Orr, educator, were deposited in the Library of
Congress by his daughter, Helen Orr Armstrong, in 1945. Armstrong converted the
papers to a gift and made additions to the collection in 1964 and 1976.
Processing History
The papers of William Orr were arranged and described in 1964 and
expanded and revised in 1983. The finding aid was revised in 2011.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of William Orr is
governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of William Orr are open to research. Researchers are
advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many
collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these
items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the
following information: Container number, William Orr Papers, Manuscript
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1860, Nov. 16
Born, Philadelphia, Pa.
1883
B.A. Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.
1883
1885
Principal, Hopkins Academy, Hadley, Mass.
1885
1888
Principal, Smith Academy, Hatfield, Mass.
1888
1894
Science master, Central High School, Springfield,
Mass.
1889
Married Charlotte Evelyn Pettis (died 1931)
1892
M.A. Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.
1894
1900
Vice principal, Central High School, Springfield,
Mass.
1900
1910
Principal, Central High School, Springfield, Mass.
1895
1910
Curator, Museum of Natural History, Springfield, Mass.
1901
Published
An Outline of Eight Excursions for the Study of the Physical
Geography and Geology of Springfield and Vicinity.
Springfield, Mass.
1910
1916
Deputy commissioner of education, Massachusetts
1916
1920
Senior educational secretary, International Committee, YMCA
1917
1918
Director, Educational Bureau, War Work Council, YMCA
1919
Published
Educational Work of the Y.M.C.A.1916-1918
Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office
1920
1927
Education Adviser, Special Mission for Y.M.C.A. in Europe
1923
Decorated with Order Polonia Restituta
1936
Published
The History of the Classical High School Springfield, Mass.
1828-1936
. Springfield Classical High School Association
1936
Married M. C. M. Benson
1937
L.H.D. Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.
1939, July 21
Died, Fairhaven, Mass.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Orr (1860-1939) consist of diaries,
correspondence, articles, speeches, reports, the draft of an unpublished
partial autobiography, clippings, printed matter, and memorabilia. The material
extends from 1890 to 1939, with the bulk of the papers falling within the
period 1920-1927.
Much of the collection concerns the period 1920-1927 when Orr served
as an education adviser on a special mission for the YMCA in Europe. This
material consists of reports and memoranda relating to YMCA activities and
articles by William and Charlotte Orr concerning their travels in Europe. The
majority of the reports and articles relate to the countries of Eastern Europe.
The remainder of the papers consists of diaries describing Orr’s trips to
Europe in 1901, 1902, and 1905; congratulatory letters relating to his election
as principal of the Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, and to
the deputy commissionership of education for Massachusetts; notes of a
geological survey of Springfield; and an autobiography.
“Seven Years under Twenty-Seven Flags” is an unpublished account
of Orr’s experiences in Europe from 1920 to 1927.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is organized by type of material.
Catalog Record: [https://lccn.loc.gov/mm79035246]
Container List
Container
Contents
1
Diaries
1
1901-1922
1901-1922
(11 folders)
2
1922-1924
1922-1924
(10 folders)
3
1925-1934
1925-1934
(10 folders)
4
1934-1936
1934-1936
(2
folders)
4
Letters of
congratulation
4
Election to principalship,
Central High School, Springfield, Mass.,
1900
1900
4
Election to deputy commissioner
of education, Massachusetts,
1910-1916
1910-1916
4
General correspondence,
1920-1927, 1939
1920-1927, 1939
(2 folders)
4
Speeches and articles
4
By William Orr
4
Albania
4
America as a world
power
4
Coolidge, Calvin
4
Education
4
Estonia
(3
folders)
4
Europe,
miscellaneous
5
Geneva, Switzerland
5
Germany
5
Great Britain
5
Greece
5
Ireland
(2 folders)
5
Latvia
5
Near East
5
Palestine
5
Poland
5
“Seven Years under
Twenty-Seven Flags”
5
Miscellaneous
5
By Charlotte Orr
6
Reports and memoranda concerning
the YMCA,
1921-1924
1921-1924
6
Miscellany
6
Address book
6
Autobiography
6
Biographical material
6
Geological survey of Springfield,
Mass.,
circa 1890
circa 1890
6
Passports
6
General