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MSS 183

Elstad, Leonard M., 1899 – 1990

Papers of Leonard M. Elstad, 1914 – 1988 Gallaudet University Archives

Descriptive Summary

Repository: Gallaudet University Archives

Call No.: MSS 183

Creator:

Title: Papers of Leonard M. Elstad, 1914 – 1988.

Quantity: 4 linear feet (8 document boxes)

Abstract: This collection consists of Leonard M. Elstad’s personal papers. Included are letters, speeches, articles, reports, financial reports, certificates, brochures, booklets, publications, program books, newspaper clippings, and photographs.

Note:

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: The Papers of Leonard M. Elstad was donated to the Gallaudet University Archives by John Mills, a grandson of Leonard M. Elstad, on November 7, 2006.

Processed by: Michael J. Olson, Spring 2011.

Processing Note:

Conditions on Use and Access: This collection is open to the public with no restrictions. Photocopies may be made for scholarly research.

Related Material in the Archives

Deaf Biographical

  • Leonard M. Elstad. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Deaf Biographical

Deaf Portraits

  • Leonard M. Elstad. Gallaudet University Archives, Call Number: Portraits

Deaf Manuscripts

  • There are many manuscripts related to Leonard M. Elstad. Please refer to online catalog SUMMON for more information.

Deaf Films

  • There are several films on Leonard M. Elstad. Please refer to online catalog SUMMON for more information.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Leonard M. Elstad was born in Osseo, Wisconsin, on February 8, 1899. He was the son of Rev. Ole H. Elstad, a Lutheran minister. Dr. Elstad was educated in Wisconsin and North Dakota. His association with education started in 1917 as he taught in a one-room rural school in North Dakota. He graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1922. He came to Gallaudet College and graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1923. He became a teacher at Gallaudet after a year in the program. He coached women’s basketball and men’s baseball. The following year he taught and also was a principal of the Kendall School.

In 1925, Dr. Elstad was hired to become assistant principal of the Wright Oral School in New York City. In 1932, he became superintendent of the Minnesota School for the Deaf in Faribault, Minnesota. Gallaudet College hired him to become their third president in 1945, preceded by Percival Hall.

Dr. Elstad, who had two honorary degrees, presided over an important period of Gallaudet’s history, which came to be called the “Elstad Expansion Era.” Gallaudet achieved accreditation in 1957 and was significantly expanded, both in terms of enrollment and the number and capacity of the buildings on campus. The buildings were erected during his time include: the Edward Miner Gallaudet Memorial Library; Elizabeth Peet Residence Hall; Percival Hall Memorial Building; Mary Thornberry Hearing and Speech Center; Gallaudet College Auditorium, which was named after him, Elstad Auditorium; Ely Residence Hall; Student Union Building; and the Frederick H. Hughes Gymnasium. Dr. Elstad put all staff under the Civil Service Retirement plan in 1949.

Dr. Elstad retired in 1969 and passed away on June 27, 1990, at the age of 91.

Scope and Content

The papers of Leonard M. Elstad consist of 8 document boxes for a total of 4 linear feet and approximately 6,800 pages. The materials within the collection range from 1914 to 1988 with the majority of content from 1930 to 1973.The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence concerning arrangements for speaking engagements of which Dr. Elstad was an expert-he was an excellent public speaker. Also included in this collection are Dr. Elstad’s connections with Gallaudet College, mostly via correspondence. Information about the Wright Oral School, where Dr. Elstad was a superintendent during the late 1920s and early 1930s, is included in this collection. Dr. Elstad wrote his personal letters to relatives and friends.

Series Description

Series 1: General Correspondence 1930 – 1974

Boxes 1 Folder 1 – Box 4 Folder 13

This series contains correspondence between Dr. Elstad and other people regarding various subjects. Dr. Elstad received his congratulatory letters from well-wishers for selection as 3rd President of Gallaudet College. The bulk of this collection is correspondence regarding speaking engagements. Dr. Elstad was a very excellent public speaker and presented at various meetings, conventions, etc.

Series 2: Gallaudet College 1931 – 1973

Boxes 4 Folder 14 – Box 5 Folder 14

In this section Dr. Elstad corresponded with his colleagues, relatives and friends about activities at Gallaudet College as well as survey reports of the Columbia Institution for the Deaf. Correspondence with alumni is included.

Series 3: Wright Oral School 1925 – 1946

Boxes 5 Folder 15 – Box 5 Folder 21

Dr. Elstad was the superintendent of the Wright Oral School in New York City. Included are letters written between Dr. Elstad and John D. Wright, founder of the school, concerning an agreement and financial
information.

Series 4: Articles, Papers, and Speeches 1942 – 1974

Boxes 6 Folder 1 to Box 6 Folder 28

Dr. Elstad wrote many articles on the education of deaf. His speeches are also included.

Series 5: General Files and Publications 1914 – 1988

Boxes 7 Folder 1 to Box 7 Folder 31

Dr. Elstad wrote an autobiographical sketch which is included in this series. There are some booklets, certificates and clippings which belonged to Dr. Elstad, as well as several publications written about him.

Series 6: Photographs 1910s – 1970s

Box 8

Included in this collection are 41 envelopes that contain photographs that Dr. Elstad collected for his personal use.

Folders List

Elstad Leonard Personal

Box Folder Title of Folder Date
001 01 Correspondence – American Red Cross 1966
001 02 Correspondence – Ayers, K. B., President of the Ohio School for the Deaf and Deaf Alumni Association 1930
001 03 Correspondence – Bjorlee, Ignatius 1944-1945
001 04 Correspondence – California Trip 1971-1972
001 05 Correspondence – Congratulatory Letters re: Editor of the American Annals of the Deaf 1945
001 06 Correspondence – Congratulatory Letters re: President of Gallaudet, “A-H” 1945
001 07 Correspondence – Congratulatory Letters re: President of Gallaudet, “J-Z” 1945
001 08 Correspondence – Cosmo Club Membership 1946-1971
001 09 Correspondence – Dahl, Victor E. 1958-1973
001 10 Correspondence and Speeches – European Trip 1950
001 11 Correspondence – Fraternity Problems 1934-1951
001 12 Correspondence – Gallaudet College Centennial Fund and David Peikoff 1966-1967
001 13 Correspondence – Geisperger, Fritz 1963-1964
001 14 Correspondence – General 1941-1974
001 15 Correspondence – Hall, Percival 1945-1949
001 16 Correspondence – Henning, Don G. 1944-1961
002 01 Correspondence – International Deafness Educational Assistance Fund 1970-1973
002 02 Correspondence – Lindholm, Toivo 1938-1941
002 03 Correspondence – Mathis, Steven 1971-1972
002 04 Correspondence – Moylan, Charles E. 1965
002 05 Correspondence – Muskie, Edmund S. 1962
002 06 Correspondence – Nieder-Heitmann, Norman 1968-1969
002 07 Correspondence – Personal 1932-1959
002 08 Correspondence – Personal 1960-1963
002 09 Correspondence – Personal 1964-1966
002 10 Correspondence – Personal 1967-1973
002 11 Correspondence – Personal n.d.
002 12 Correspondence – Personal – Relatives 1945-1973
003 01 Correspondence re: Anne Sullivan Gold Medal Award 1966
003 02 Correspondence regarding Conference of Teachers of the Deaf in Germany 1963-1964
003 03 Correspondence regarding Institute on the Rehabilitation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 1961
003 04 Correspondence re: Mathilda Elstad 1961
003 05 Correspondence regarding new Principal at the NYSD 1932
003 06 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1945
003 07 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1951-1957
003 08 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1959
003 09 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1960
003 10 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1961
003 11 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1962
003 12 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1963
004 01 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1964
004 02 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1965
004 03 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1966
004 04 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1966
004 05 Correspondence regarding speaking engagements 1967-1971
004 06 Correspondence regarding the superintendency of the Minnesota School for the Deaf 1932
004 07 Correspondence – St. Olaf College 1965
004 08 Correspondence – re: St. Olaf College – Class of 1922 Reunion 1962-1967
004 09 Correspondence – Skyberg, Victor O. 1932
004 10 Correspondence – Smith, J. L. 1930
004 11 Correspondence – Social Security Administration re: Mrs. L. Elstad 1967-1970
004 12 Correspondence – Spence, Victor R. 1932
004 13 Correspondence – Trip to South Africa 1966
004 14 Letter – Bjorlie, H. O. n.d.
004 15 Letter – Byrd, Robert C. 1961
004 16 Letter – Craig, Sam B. 1945
004 17 Letter – Elstad, Alvin 1970-1972
004 18 Letter – Elstad, Ole H. 1931
004 19 Letter -Faribault Public Schools n.d.
004 20 Letter – Filkins, Ora N. 1945
004 21 Letter – Fraternities 1971
004 22 Letter – Hanson, George E. 1972
004 23 Letter – Harvey, Douglas 1933
004 24 Letter – Henning, Mrs. Donald n.d.
004 25 Letter -Hollingsworth, C. H. – Georgia School for the Deaf 1945
004 26 Letter – Olson, Floyd B. to Victor O. Skyberg 1932
004 27 Letter – Settles, Clarence J. – Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind 1945
004 28 Letter – Swope, Chester D. 1972
004 29 Letter – Washburn, Margaret 1971
004 30 Letter – Winston, Matie E. 1932-1936
004 31 Letters regarding James Alby 1969
005 01 Except from the Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors regarding Percival Hall 1945
005 02 Gallaudet College Alumni Association 1939-1973
005 03 Gallaudet College Board of Directors 1969
005 04 Gallaudet College – Funds n.d.
005 05 Gallaudet College – General 1953-1973
005 06 Illustration of L. M. Elstad with buildings by Jan Afzelius 1956
005 07 Installation of Leonard M. Elstad as Third President of the College 1947
005 08 Map of Gallaudet Campus n.d.
005 09 Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools 1946-1947
005 10 Report – Columbia Institution for the Deaf 1946-1947
005 11 Retirement 1968-1969
005 12 Salary of the President 1949-1965
005 13 Student Body President’s Address n.d.
005 14 Survey Report on Columbia Institution for the Deaf 1946
005 15 Accounts with Wright Oral School 1929-1933
005 16 Agreement between Wright Oral School and Leonard M. Elstad 1925-1931
005 17 Correspondence – Wright, John Dutton 1931-1932
005 18 Correspondence – Wright, John Dutton 1933-1946
005 19 Correspondence regarding accounts with Wright Oral School 1930-1936
005 20 Financial Reports with Wright Oral School 1930-1933
005 21 Wright Oral School 1935-1936
006 01 Article – “Adventures of a Writer” by Albert W. Atwood n.d.
006 02 Article – “Do All Teachers Who Leave Get Better Jobs?” n.d.
006 03 Article – “Gallaudet College” by Leonard M. Elstad and Albert W. Atwood n.d.
006 04 Article on Dr. Powrie Vaux Doctor 1971
006 05 Articles 1947-1974
006 06 Articles – General 1950-1967
006 07 Articles written by Dr. Powrie Vaux Doctor 1942-1971
006 08 Paper given by Dr. E. A. Stevenson, CEASD 1948
006 09 Paper on “Rehabilitation of the Deaf in American Education” presented at Berlin 1964
006 10 Speeches – Alumni Reunion, Gallaudet College 1964
006 11 Speeches – Alumni Reunion, Gallaudet College 1947
006 12 Speeches – Baccalaureate Service, Gallaudet College 1969
006 13 Speeches – Canadian Association of the Deaf 1970
006 14 Speeches – Dedication of the Mary L. Thornberry Hearing and Speech Center 1969
006 15 Speeches – Dedication of the Washburn Arts Center 1969
006 16 Speeches – Dr. Daniel T. Cloud n.d.
006 17 Speeches – Dr. Edward C. Merrill, Jr. 1969
006 18 Speeches – “The Fjords Resound with Music” n.d.
006 19 Speeches – The Gallaudet Dynasty 1968
006 20 Speeches – General 1945-1966
006 21 Speeches – “Green Pastures” 1962
006 22 Speeches – “Lenten Talk to Episcopal Deaf Group” 1971
006 23 Speeches – National Rehabilitation Association – Award n.d.
006 24 Speeches – New Students and Staff of Gallaudet 1961
006 25 Speeches – New York School for the Deaf n.d.
006 26 Speeches – “Presentation Talk” 1945
006 27 Speeches – Retirement of Lucille H. Pendell 1972
006 28 Speeches – South Africa Trip 1966
007 01 Autobiography/Biography Sketch 1936-1965
007 02 Blank Stationary with Envelopes n.d.
007 03 Booklet – St. Olaf Memories – Fortieth Anniversary Souvenir 1914
007 04 Brochure – The American School for the Deaf n.d.
007 05 Certificates 1946-1959
007 06 Chattel Mortgage 1941
007 07 The Church of the Epiphany 1971-1973
007 08 Clippings 1946-1973
007 09 Clippings and Photographs scrapbook on Rotary 1957-1958
007 10 Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf 1969
007 11 Empherma 1943-1969
007 12 Federal Civil Defense Administration – Identification Cards 1954
007 13 International Certificates of Vaccination 1958
007 14 Management Achievement Award 1965
007 15 Passport Application 1958
007 16 Poems n.d.
007 17 Professional Rehabilitation Workers with the Adult Deaf 1970
007 18 Program Books – General 1947-1973
007 19 Publication – The Buff and Blue 1946-1969
007 20 Publication – “The Companion” – James Lewis Smith 1933
007 21 Publication – Gallaudet Alumni Bulletin 1949-1963
007 22 Publication – Gallaudet Alumni Newsletter 1972-1973
007 23 Publication – Just Once a Month 1947
007 24 Publication – Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf – 125th Anniversary 1988
007 25 Publication – U. S. Department of H. E. W. – Programs for the Handicapped 1969
007 26 Receipts 1946-1973
007 27 Report – Committee for Study of Vocational Training in Schools for the Deaf 1945
007 28 Report – Committee on the Relations of the Home and the School for the Deaf 1945
007 29 Rotary International Club 1945-1974
007 30 The Story of Myself 1920
007 31 Who’s Who in America n.d.
008 01 Photographs – Commencement 1960s
008 02 Photographs – Commencement – Lyndon B. Johnson and Leonard M. Elstad 1962
008 03 Photographs – Campus View 1930s
008 04 Photographs – Clerc Hall 1960s
008 05 Photographs – Plan of Proposed Building – Religion Center 1960s
008 06 Photographs – Student Union Building 1950s
008 07 Photographs – Leonard M. Elstad at various speaking engagements 1950s-1960s
008 08 Photographs – Leonard M. Elstad attending various events 1950s-1960s
008 09 Photographs – Meeting: International Congress on the Care of the Deaf Mute, The Netherlands 1950
008 10 Photographs – Congressmen – Homer Thornberry and Robert C. Byrd with Leonard M. Elstad n.d.
008 11 Photographs – Congressmen – Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert C. Byrd with Leonard M. Elstad n.d.
008 12 Photographs – Unveiling of Edward Miner Gallaudet Statue 1969
008 13 Photographs – Visitors at Kendall School and Gallaudet College 1960s
008 14 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. 1910s-1920s
008 15 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. 1930s
008 16 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. 1940s
008 17 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. 1950s
008 18 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. 1960s
008 19 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. with Sidney Cohen 1960s
008 20 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. with Margaret Elstad 1950s
008 21 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Leonard M. with family 1946
008 22 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Margaret 1970s
008 23 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Margaret with visitors at House One 1960s
008 24 Photographs – Portraits – Elstad, Mathilda 1947
008 25 Photographs – Portraits – Hegstrom, Beverly and Thomas 1970s
008 26 Photographs – Portraits – Jones, Hon. Boisfeuillet 1962
008 27 Photographs – Portraits – MacKinnon, Christine 1903
008 28 Photographs – Portraits – Mills, John 1960s
008 29 Photographs – Portraits – Schneider, Vincent Richard 1961
008 30 Photographs – Portraits – Unidentified Male 1950s
008 31 Photographs – Portraits – Unidentified people and building 1960s
008 32 Photographs – Portraits – Unidentified Female 1960s
008 33 Photographs – Former Principals of Kendall School with Dr. Elstad 1960s
008 34 Photographs – Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf 1959
008 35 Photographs – Convention of Executives of American Schools for the Deaf 1956
008 36 Photographs – Rotary International 1960s
008 37 Photographs – Schools – New York – Wright Oral School? 1920s
008 38 Photographs – Dinner in honor of Albert Atwood 1960s
008 39 Photographs – Dinner in honor of Eric Greenway 1958
008 40 Photographs – Ole H. Elstad’s gravestone 1954
008 41 Photographs – Sports – Gallaudet Women’s Basketball Team with Dr. Elstad 1920s
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