Guide to the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection, 1918-1998
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Title: |
Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection, 1918-1998 |
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Repository: |
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives
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Creator: |
Dr. Shirla R. McClain |
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Dates: |
1918-1998 |
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Quantity: |
2 cubic feet (2 record boxes) |
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Abstract: |
The Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection includes the writings and research materials of Dr. McClain, who was a public school
educator and a Kent State University professor of education.
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Identification: |
99/255 |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Biography of Dr. Shirla R. McClain
Dr. Shirla R. McClain was born in 1935 in Akron, Ohio to Dumas and Marcella Robinson. After receiving her Bachelor's degree
from The University of Akron in 1956, she pursued a career as an elementary and secondary school teacher. Dr. McClain married
her husband Henry in 1957, and the couple had two children, Kelli and Scott. She went on to earn a Master's (1970) and Ph.D.
(1975) in Education from The University of Akron.
In 1975, Dr. McClain joined the education faculty at Kent State University where she taught for twelve years. She later taught
at Walsh University in Canton, Ohio. Dr. McClain was given The University of Akron's Alumni Honor Award for Excellence in
Professional Achievement in 1994.
McClain published over 45 academic papers during her career, but is still best-known for her doctoral dissertation The Contributions
of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, which was the first comprehensive history of Akron's black community.
In 1994, the Gallery of Akron's Black History and Culture was opened at The University of Akron. Dr. McClain served on the
initial fundraising committee for the gallery and succeeded in creating an endowment for the gallery and working to mount
the first exhibition, "Blacks in Education."
Dr. McClain passed away after a 14-year battle with cancer in 1997. In 1998, the gallery was rededicated to her memory as
the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery of Akron's Black History and Culture.
Scope and Content
The bulk of this collection consists of materials related to Dr. McClain's research on the African-American community in Akron.
There are handwritten drafts of chapters of her doctoral dissertation, The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, as
well as notes, newspaper clippings, and various printed items that Dr. McClain used for research. There are also photos from
her time as a schoolteacher and of the re-dedication ceremony for the Gallery for Akron's Black History in 1998.
Of particular note are certain historical items collected by Dr. McClain, including sheet music of the Universal Ethiopian
Anthem published by the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1920, and other items related to the UNIA and its
founder, Marcus Garvey. There are also several items related to Len Chandler, notable Akron folk singer-songwriter and civil
rights activist.
Published books were physically removed from the collection, item-level cataloged in the University Libraries online catalog,
and shelved by Library of Congress Call number in the Special Collections book stacks. These items can be located in the catalog
by searching for "Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection.
Statement of Arrangement
Series I: Writings This series contains Dr. McClain's doctoral dissertation, including notes and early handwritten drafts
of chapters, and several other scholarly papers authored or co-authored by Dr. McClain. Series II: Collected Material This
series contains publications, newspaper clippings, and photographs collected by Dr. McClain either as part of her research
or to document her career activities. Subseries include: Printed Material, Collected Correspondence, Scrapbooks, Photographic
Material Series III: Correspondence This small series contains correspondence written by or to Dr. McClain.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing
from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.
Restrictions on Access
No restrictions on access, except not available through interlibrary loan.
Related Material: Related Material
The Opie Evans Papers
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects:
Chandler, Len
Garvey, Marcus
McClain, Shirla Robinson
Universal Negro Improvement Association.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], The Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of
Akron, Akron Ohio.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Dr. McClain's daughter, Kelli McClain Shimabukuro, in 2017.
Processing Information
Processed by Theodore Mallison, Special Projects Processing Archivist, in July 2019.
Detailed Description of The Collection
Box 1 / Folder 1
Dissertation notes and drafts (1), undated
Box 1 / Folder 2
Dissertation notes and drafts (2), undated
Box 1 / Folder 3
Dissertation notes and drafts (3), undated
Box 1 / Folder 4
Dissertation notes and drafts (4), undated
Box 1 / Folder 5
Dissertation notes and drafts (5), undated
Box 1 / Folder 6
Dissertation notes and drafts (6), undated
Box 1 / Folder 7
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, typed, pp. 1-80, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 8
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, typed, pp. 81-160, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 9
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, typed, pp. 161-240, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 10
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, typed, pp. 241-320, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 11
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, typed, pp. 321-366, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 12
The Contributions of Blacks in Akron copyright registration, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 13
The Historical Development of Education in a Social Service Agency, 1979
Box 1 / Folder 14
A Home-Based Language Development Program for Learners from Lower Socioeconomic Families, undated
Box 1 / Folder 15
Religion, Ethnicity and Education, undated
Box 1 / Folder 16
Multiethnic Content and Reading Skills guide, undated
Box 1 / Folder 17
Akron NAACP Fifty-Six Years in Brief, 1973
Collected Material, 1918-1998
Box 1 / Folder 18
Adam and Eve: A Colored People booklet, 1918
Box 1 / Folder 19
Afro-American World Almanac: What Do You Know About Your Race?, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 20
Akron Community Foundation newsletter, Summer, 1994
Box 1 / Folder 21
Annual Oratorical Contest Under the Auspices of Pride of Rubbertown #1594 and Mary Exalted Temple #95, March 16, 1975
Box 1 / Folder 22
Annual Report of the Akron Community Service Center, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 23
Antioch Baptist Church dedication program, June 3, 1962
Box 1 / Folder 24
Association for Colored Community Work, secretary's report, 1927
Box 1 / Folder 25
Babcock and Wilcox KIT Report newsletter, Summer, 1994
Box 1 / Folder 26
Babcock and Wilcox KIT Report newsletter, Spring, 1996
Box 1 / Folder 27
Betsy W. Norwood memorial, January 22, 1993
Box 1 / Folder 28
"Black Archives", Florida A&M University, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1981
Box 1 / Folder 29
Black Cultural Center "National Black History Week" pamphlet, 1976
Box 1 / Folder 30
Black History Archives Committee, Dr. Shirla McClain lecture program, February 26, 1989
Box 1 / Folder 31
Church worship bulletin (unknown church), Dr. Shirla McClain guest speaker, 1985
Box 1 / Folder 32
City of Akron Toward a Model City booklet, 1971
Box 1 / Folder 33
Cleveland Browns vs. Brooklyn Yankees program (Rubber Bowl game), August 26, 1949
Box 1 / Folder 34
"Fred W. Danner, Republican candidate for state senator", undated
Box 1 / Folder 35
Goodyear Aerospace Profile, Spring (contains an article on Momconbeac, Inc.), 1972
Box 1 / Folder 36
Gordie vs. Ku Klux Klan, Summit County Court of Common Pleas petition, 1922
Box 1 / Folder 37
Kent State vs. Akron Homecoming Game program, 1951
Box 1 / Folder 38
Kent State Center for Educational Development and Strategic Services newsletter (KEDS), October 1974 and June 1975
Box 1 / Folder 39
Len Chandler, 613th Army Air Force Third Anniversary Ball, Tuskegee Army Airfield, April 20, 1945
Box 1 / Folder 40
Len Chandler, "Cabala" booklet (inscribed 613th AAF band, Tuskegee Army Airfield), undated, circa 1945
Box 1 / Folder 41
Negro Book Club's Guide to African American Books, 1969
Box 1 / Folder 42
Northern Ohio Baptist District Association and Auxiliaries, 81st Annual Session program, July 1986
Box 1 / Folder 43
Ohio Association of Colored Women's Clubs Handbook, 1952
Box 1 / Folder 44
"Optimistic 50" Club materials, 1982, 1986
Box 1 / Folder 45
The Oracle, Omega Psi Phi magazine, Spring, 1979
Box 1 / Folder 46
Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliate 40th anniversary banquet, March 23, 1958
Box 1 / Folder 47
Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey, 1923
Box 1 / Folder 48
Quinn Memorial A.M.E. Church worship bulletin, 1985
Box 1 / Folder 49
The Reporter, Vol. V, No. 50, September 1974
Box 1 / Folder 50
The Reporter, Vol. VI, No. 3, October 1974
Box 1 / Folder 51
The Reporter, Vol. VI, No. 3, October 1974
Box 1 / Folder 52
The Reporter, Vol. VI, No. 13, December 1974
Box 1 / Folder 53
The Reporter, Vol. VI, No. 19, February 1975
Box 1 / Folder 54
Robinson Elementary School blank cards, undated
Box 1 / Folder 55
"Say it with Music", Hawk's Cry pp. 7-8, June 2, 1945
Box 1 / Folder 56
Second Baptist Church constitution, February 1968
Box 1 / Folder 57
Second Baptist Church dedication program, August-September 1975
Box 1 / Folder 58
Shirla McClain Gallery brochure, circa early 1990s
Box 1 / Folder 59
South High School Cavalier, 1948, 1950
Box 1 / Folder 60
The Story of the Christmas Guest, undated
Box 1 / Folder 61
Suburbanite Club dinner program, 1976
Box 1 / Folder 62
Summit County Historical Society newsletter featuring Dr. Shirla McClain, March 1977
Box 1 / Folder 63
Tea-Time Study Club materials, 1970
Box 1 / Folder 64
United We Build, annual report of the Akron Community Service Center, 1945
Box 1 / Folder 65
Universal Ethiopian Anthem, sheet music booklet published by the UNIA, 1920
Box 1 / Folder 66
University of Akron athletics newsletter, November 1951
Box 1 / Folder 67
The Urban Leaguer newsletter, Vol. I, No. I, July-August 1974
Box 1 / Folder 68
USO Bulletin newsletter, info on "Rainbow Club" and Negro History Week, 1945
Box 1 / Folder 69
Verve, Buchtelite literary supplement, Vol. 66, April 1955
Box 1 / Folder 70
Vernon L. Odom memorial, May 29, 1996
Box 1 / Folder 71
Vernon L. Odom reception, June 13, 1992
Box 1 / Folder 72
Women's Auxiliary of the Ohio Baptist General Association, undated
Box 1 / Folder 73
Y-Circus Camp Benefit official program, May 3-4, 1940
Box 2 / Folder 1
Dr. Shirla R. McClain biographical clippings, 1947-1994
Box 2 / Folder 2
Dr. Shirla R. McClain biographical clippings, 1965-1986
Box 2 / Folder 3
Clippings - Biographical info on Black Akronites, 1935-1973
Box 2 / Folder 4
Clippings - Biographical info on Black Akronites, 1950-1970
Box 2 / Folder 5
Clippings - Akron Black history, 1954-1975
Box 2 / Folder 6
Clippings - Black history and biographic info, 1913-1973
Box 2 / Folder 7
Clippings and other gathered materials on Akron Black history, 1930s-1970s
Box 2 / Folder 8
"Biography in Brief" Akron Beacon Journal columns, 1962-1973
Box 2 / Folder 9
YMCA Glendale Branch scrapbook, 1943-1950
Box 2 / Folder 10
Photographs - Akron East High School senior pictures, 1952
Box 2 / Folder 11
Photographs - Bryan Elementary School staff (Dr. McClain taught here), 1958-1962
Box 2 / Folder 12
Photographs - Dedication ceremony at University of Akron for Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery, (1), 1998
Box 2 / Folder 13
Photographs - Dedication ceremony at University of Akron for Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery, (2), 1998
Box 2 / Folder 14
Photographs - Findlay Elementary School staff (Dr. McClain taught here), 1968
Box 2 / Folder 15
Photographs - Others of Dr. McClain, 1990s
Box 2 / Folder 16
Photographs - Phi Delta Kappa, undated
Box 2 / Folder 17
Photographs - Unknown, undated
Box 2 / Folder 18
Photo album of copies of photos used by Dr. McClain for research, undated
Correspondence, 1953-1987, undated
Box 2 / Folder 19
Correspondence, 1953-1987, undated