Collections : [Wesleyan University -Special Collections and Archives]

The Middletown Scientific Association was founded on March 17, 1871 by Wesleyan University faculty and residents of Middletown, Connecticut. Its purpose was to encourage scientific investigation and curiosity among members and to receive papers from members and other scientists regarding popular topics in all fields of science, history of science, and education of science.

During the Vietnam War, especially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, some Wesleyan University students and faculty protested military recruiters visiting the school. In response to the controversy, Wesleyan developed a policy about military recruitment. This issue subsided with the end of the Vietnam War and the draft.

The Missionary Lyceum at Wesleyan University existed from 1834 until approximately 1878. The purpose of the Lyceum was to promote a missionary zeal among its members by way of debates, addresses, collection of artifacts and literature from foreign missions, and the exchange of correspondence with various missionaries around the world

The Monday Club was founded in 1892 as a social and intellectual group for women in the Wesleyan University community. Members continued to meet for presentations and performances until the mid-1990s.

Moses Clark White (1819-1900) was a graduate of the Wesleyan University class of 1845. White worked as a preacher, a doctor and a missionary, and lived in Fuh Chau, China, from 1847-1853, returning to live in New Haven, Conn. and practice medicine.

The music program at Wesleyan University dates back to the early days of the institution, when informal singing groups performed for special occasions. As the program expanded and became more formalized, courses were offered, and in 1929 the Music Department was established. Performance groups came to include the Glee Club, the Chapel Choir, the Choral Society, the Jibers, the Cardinals, the Wesleyan Band, and a number of instrumental ensembles. During the 1950s, associate professor David McAllester introduced world music courses into the curriculum, and in 1966 the department established a doctoral program in ethnomusicology. Visiting artists from various regions around the world, including Africa, India, Indonesia, Japan, and Korea, have performed at the university.

Nathan Comfort Starr (1896-1981) was a graduate of Harvard and Oxford Universities. He taught and wrote extensively about the Arthurian legend and Arthurian literature.

Wesleyan University hosted both V-5 and V-12 Naval Training Units on its campus during World War II.

Wesleyan University was founded in 1831 in Middletown, Conn.

Osmon Cleander Baker attended the Wesleyan Academy (now Wilbraham Academy) and Wesleyan University. Active in the Methodist Episcopal church, he taught and administered at the Newbury Seminary in Vermont and the Methodist General Biblical Institute, in Concord, New Hampshire. In 1852, he was elected a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.