Description: Kolbe Hall at the University of Akron currently houses the College of Fine and Applied Arts, WZIP FM radio station, and the Daum Theater. The University of Akron was originally founded as Buchtel College in 1870. The school was named after industrialist John Buchtel, who was a prominent figure in the community of Akron and was associated with the Universalist Church. By the early twentieth century, Buchtel College was not as closely linked to the interests of the Universalist Church. The school chose to become non-denominational in 1907. Financial problems caused its trustees to turn the school over to the city of Akron in 1913. At this point, Buchtel College was renamed the University of Akron. In more recent years, the University of Akron has become known for its scientific research in a variety of areas, including polymers and nanotechnology. In addition, it has a number of other strong programs of study, including in the business and legal fields. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B05F02_053_1
Subjects: Education; Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.; Universities and colleges; University of Akron; College campuses; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Summit County (Ohio); Akron (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1930-1943, this photograph shows seven young ladies from the University of Akron posing with a judge after winning a beauty pageant, with a caption that reads "Akron University claims the most beautiful co-eds in the world, a claim sustained in inter-collegiate competition. Shown above is one team of beauties surrounding the judge who declared them victors in a 'beauty battle'." This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F02_030
Subjects: University of Akron; Beauty pageants; Beauty contestants--United States; Akron (Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Works Progress Administration; Ohio Federal Writers' Project
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Originally founded in 1870, the University of Akron was known as Buchtel College. The college was established by the Universalist Church with financial help from Akron industrialist, and Universalist Church member, John Buchtel. The college was housed entirely in one building named Old Buchtel Hall. Old Buchtel Hall was destroyed by fire in 1899 and replaced by a new Buchtel Hall, which is still in use by the University of Akron. In 1909, Buchtel College became a private, non-denominational school, before becoming a municipal university of the city of Akron in 1913. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F02_017
Subjects: Education; Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works; Buchtel College of Liberal Arts; Universities and colleges; University of Akron; College campuses; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Probably dated to the 1930s, this photograph shows a home economics class at Akron University. Originally founded in 1870, the University of Akron was known as Buchtel College. The college was established by the Universalist Church with financial help from Akron industrialist, and Universalist Church member, John Buchtel. In 1909, Buchtel College became a private, non-denominational school, before becoming a municipal university of the city of Akron in 1913. By this time, courses were offered in engineering, commercial subjects, secretarial science, teaching, and home economics. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F02_031
Subjects: University of Akron; Home economics; Students; Universities and colleges; Ohio Federal Writers' Project
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Print of Buchtel College from "Catalogue of Buchtel College," 1883-1884. Buchtel College was founded in 1870 in Akron, Ohio, and was named after industrialist John Buchtel, a prominent community figure associated with the Universalist Church. Because of financial problems, the college was turned over to the city of Akron in 1913 and renamed the University of Akron. Written at bottom: BUCHTEL COLLEGE, AKRON, OHIO. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03867
Subjects: Universities and colleges Ohio; University of Akron; Education, Higher--Ohio--History; College buildings
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: The caption reads: "Student handling raw rubber. University of Akron." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F08_004_001
Subjects: Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project; Rubber; University of Akron
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)
 

Description: Caption reads; "Student elections take on the color of municipal elections at the University of Akron, 'sandwich men' being a regular feature". View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B01F02_029_001
Subjects: Education; Universities and colleges; Politics; University of Akron; College campuses; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project
Places: Akron (Ohio); Summit County (Ohio)