Louis P. Dolbeare (AC 1940) Papers
Scope and Contents
The Louis P. Dolbeare (AC 1940) Papers document the personal life and activities of Louis P. Dolbeare primarily during his undergraduate years at Amherst College and his post-collegiate years. The Papers consist primarily of correspondence between Dolbeare and his college friends and family members. Other items include photographs and programs from Amherst College theater productions (The Masquers), as well as from alumni reunion gatherings. The correspondence within the collection dates from 1934 to 1990, with the bulk falling between the years of 1934-1965. Also included are Dolbeare's grade reports, Amherst College theater production flyers, and newspaper clippings.
A great deal of the correspondence in Series 3, Masquers, relates to Dolbeare's attempts to create a memorial fund in honor of Charles Rogers, Professor Emeritus of Fine Arts and Dramatics at Amherst College.
Dates
- Creation: 1934-1998
- Creation: 1934-1965
Creator
- Dolbeare, Louis P., 1916- (AC 1940) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There is no restriction on access to the Louis P. Dolbeare (AC 1940) Papers for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.
Biographical / Historical
For a biographical summary, see the Chronology section.
Louis Dolbeare forged a life-long friendship with the late Charles Rogers, Professor of Fine Arts and Dramatics, who taught at Amherst College from 1942 to 1970. Although Dolbeare did not pursue a professional career in theater, he was deeply influenced by Professor Rogers. At the Class of 1940's 50th reunion in 1990, he and other members of The Masquers arranged a session at which Dolbeare read a narrative poem he had written about Professor Rogers; a general discussion ensued.
Biographical / Historical
- 1916 September 27
- Born in Brooklyn, New York
- 1931-1933
- Brookline, Mass. High School
- 1933-1936
- Phillips Academy, Andover (graduates 1936)
- 1940
- Graduates from Amherst College
- 1942-1945
- Serves in U.S. Office of War Information, Washington, DC and London, England
- 1946-1948
- Planning student, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University (degree: Master of City Planning)
- 1949-1952
- Metropolitan Consultant, Philadelphia Housing Association
- 1953
- Associate Planner, Bucks County (Pa.) Planning Commission
- 1954
- Associate Planner, South Jersey Mass Transportation Study
- 1955
- Planner, Urban Traffic and Transportation Study Board, City of Philadelphia
- 1956
- Staff, Urban Renewal Study Board, Baltimore, Md.
- 1956 July 1
- Marries (Mary) Cushing Niles (Swarthmore 1949), daughter of Henry E. and Mary Cushing Niles, Baltimore
- 1958 July 8
- Daughter Mary Cushing born
- 1958-1960
- Planning consultant (self-employed)
- 1960-1963
- Associate Planner, Pennsylvania-Jersey Transportation Study
- 1960
- Son Louis Niles born
- 1963-1966
- Planning Director, Roy F. Weston, Inc.
- 1966
- Member, ADA, Philadelphia Art Alliance
- 1966-1976
- Various positions, Board of Education, School District of Philadelphia
- 1967-1970
- Board member, American Institute of Planners
- 1977-present
- Househusband
Extent
1 Linear feet (2 archives boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
1940 graduate of Amherst College; urban planner. Collection contains correspondence with friends and family, photographs and newspaper clippings relating to Amherst College alumni reunions and theater productions.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into three series:
- Series 1: Personal Correspondence, 1934-1995
- Series 2: Class of 1940 Materials, 1980-1990
- Series 3: Masquers, 1940-1998
Subject
- Amherst College Masquers (Organization)
- Rogers, Charles E. (Charles Ensign), 1906-1980 (Person)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Ciona Van Dijk
- Date
- 2003
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Repository Details
Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299
archives@amherst.edu