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Alfred Geddes Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS 008

Scope and Content Note

The collection documents his interest in education from his time as a student in the late 1920s up to his retirement from WCSU in 1974. The military materials contain materials from his days serving in the army in the 1930s and 1940s and books on military history that he collected.

In this collection are letters, photographs (one of which is framed) and a photo album, clippings, college papers a theses, maps, books, manuals, magazines, pamphlets, a phonograph record, newspapers, and a WWII era service man's hat.

There are several photographs of Geddes in uniform, including the framed photograph. Several old photographs of his family are found in the photo album. Most of the publications in this collection are army-training manuals, although there are some that are non-military related. The newspapers in this collection are issues Geddes kept from his time in the Pacific in World War II. They primarily came from the Philippines. Primarily Geddes' college papers and thesis date to his time at both Yale and NYU, although some appear to be done for him by students or done as part of a group effort. There are some yearbooks in this collection as well. Two yearbooks are from Arnold College (including his graduating year, 1929). There is also a 1975 Western Connecticut State College yearbook signed by Jim Dyer for Claire. There is also a copy of the book Henry Bernard: An Introduction, which was co-authored by Dr. Ralph Jenkins, the third president of this university.

The collection contains many newspaper and magazine articles that appear to have come from the Danbury News-Times, the New York Times, and the Boston Herald and magazines like Life. However, it is not known from which paper or magazine all the clippings originated as many articles were clipped without identifying information such as title or date. Included also are a set of U.S. military publications on tactics published during the Second World War and immediately after.

Dates

  • Creation: 1913-1959
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1940-1950

Creator

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Archives and Special Collections
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu

Historical/Biographical Note

Alfred Geddes dedicated his life to education. He spent most of his life in Connecticut and became a fixture in the city of Danbury.

Alfred Thomas Geddes was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on March 14, 1909, to William Geddes and Maryann Ryan Geddes. He was raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and lived there until he left to pursue his education. For most of his adult life, he lived in Brookfield, Connecticut.

In 1929, Geddes received his first college degree from Arnold College (in New Haven) where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in education from Boston University in 1932. In 1939, he earned his Masters in education from Yale, and in 1955 he received his Doctorate in Student Personnel from New York University.

His teaching career began shortly after he was finished at Boston University. His first teaching job was at Oliver Perry High School in Providence, Rhode Island. He moved on to the Hamden School system in Hamden, Connecticut. He served as a teacher in physical education at both schools. Geddes also worked as an administrator at the Southbury Training School in Southbury, Connecticut. In 1937, Geddes began his tenure at Danbury State Teacher's College, now known as Western Connecticut State University. He served as the Dean of Men from 1947 until he retired in 1974.

During his tenure as Dean of Men, Geddes met his wife, Claire Trisch. She served as the Dean of Women from 1946 until she retired in 1975. They worked side by side as Deans for several years before they got married in 1958. The Geddes worked as deans of the college while Ruth A. Haas was the president. In fact, they were two of the original administrators hired by Haas. When all three retired (Alfred in 1974 and Claire and Ruth Haas in 1975), it marked the end of an era in the history of the university.

Geddes joined the Army Air Corps in the 1930s and served in World War II. He left the military with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Besides serving in the war, Geddes was fascinated with military history, and collected books about military history. Geddes was also a member of several clubs including the Rotary Club of Danbury and the Yale Club of New York City.

Alfred Geddes died in Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut, on April 15, 2001, at the age of 92.

Extent

7.5 Linear Feet (, 4 boxes and 1 OS Folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Geddes was appointed Dean of Men at Danbury State Teacher’s College in 1947 and served in that role until he retired in 1974. In 1939, he earned a Masters in education from Yale, and in 1955 received his Doctorate in Student Personnel from New York University. He joined the Army in the 1930s and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Geddes was a military history enthusiast and amassed a number of books on the subject. His papers contain personal materials from his career as an educator, soldier and military history collector.

Arrangement

Folders are arranged topically.

The files are grouped into 2 series:

Missing Title

  1. Personal Papers
  2. Printed material

Provenance

Donated to the Archives in 2002.

Separated Material

The collection included a issues of newspapers and magazines; however, these items were removed from the collection due to their poor condition. These items include: The New York Times July 21, 1969, edition, the Boston Globe, News-Times, and Hartford Courant August 9, 1974, editions, and Life magazine November 23, 1936, November 18, 1946, and December 29, 1972 editions have been removed from this collection, but copies are available in the Haas Library.

Click here to view a list of books that were accessioned with this collecion. Books not in Special Collections are part of the Haas circulating collection.

Separated Materials

Civil War era photo album removed to the MS 060 Civil War Misc. Collection.

Title
Guide to the Alfred Geddes Papers
Status
Unverified Full Draft
Author
Lloyd Williams
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Edition statement
This version was derived from Geddes Finding Aid.doc

Repository Details

Part of the Western Connecticut State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Haas Library
181 White St
Danbury 06810 USA US
203.837.8992
203.837.8322 (Fax)