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Depression House collection, 1976-1984

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-BU-24

Scope and Contents

The Depression House collection spans two boxes, as well as a few external items, and dates between 1976 and 1984.

The Preparation folder holds documents regarding Doc Dalton's preparation for the Depression House class, including learning resources, liability insurance, and directions to the house.

The Applications detail prospective students' background and interest in taking the course.

The Finances folder contains receipts from shopping for the class expenses.

The Correspondence folder holds letters primarily from educators interested in the Depression House article in the Chronicle of Higher Eduction and other publications.

The Recipes / Hymns folder contains recipes and hymns from the 1930s that were used during the class in the Depression House.

The Readings folder holds articles and other readings contemporary to or about the Great Depression, either for reference or for the class to read. Pricilla Robertson's "A Visit to an Arkansas Sharecropper in 1937" and Elmer B. Oberg's "Frugal Papa: Heritage of a Thrifty Farm Life" are two such readings.

The dated folders hold materials from that year's class, mostly newspaper clippings, as well as photographs. Greg Grano's journal and a photocopy of Bob Palmquist's journal from the 1980 class are included.

Two folders of photographs taken from albums are undated.

The Materials from Roy Dalton folder holds various items, including posters advertising Bethel, Depression era store advertisements, and two issues of the newspaper Bethel: News From Bethel College from 1972 and 1973.

The Minneapolis Tribune: The Depression edition was printed in 1979, 50 years after the start of the Great Depression.

There are four large photographs taken out of frames.

The Outgoing mail slot is made of birchbark and dates to 1980.

The Tree ring was painted by the Depression House class of 1978.

The Painted toilet seat dates to the class of 1977 and lists the names of students at the Depression House.

The Bethel North sign was located at the Depression House in 1984.

Dates

  • 1976 - 1984

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researcher use.

Historical Note

Roy "Doc" Dalton, history professor, initiated an off-campus January interim course "Depression House" in 1977. A simulation of life in the Great Depression, the class lived in a home near Webster, Wisconsin owned by Harley Turner, and later into two houses near Pillager, Minnesota owned by David Horn. Chores, entertainment, food, and technology was limited to the 1930s era. The class lived in the house for three weeks.

Extent

4 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is mostly arranged chronologically by class year.

Custodial History

It is unclear when this collection was donated to the History Center.

Title
Depression House collection, 1976-1984
Author
Rebekah Bain
Date
December 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The History Center: Archives of Bethel University and Converge Repository

Contact:
3900 Bethel Drive
Arden Hills MINNESOTA 55112 United States