Fels Institute Collection (UA-13)

The collection spans the years from 1928 to 2000. It is divided into seven series: Correspondence, Financial, Director’s Files, Grants, Reports, Photography and Publicity, and Publications.

The first series, Correspondence, contains information on the organization of the Institute and its early years. There are letters from Samuel Fels to the Fels Institute, to Antioch College and to Dr. Sontag.

The second series, Financial, contains various financial records (budget, overhead study, and Bursar's Office records.)

The third series, Director’s Files, consists of information from the files of Dr. Frank Falkner, Beatrice Lacey, Dr. Lester Sontag. Of particular interest are material on the Fels building, including the dedication event for the new building in October of 1947, at which Margaret Mead gave the dedication address. A transcript of the proceedings is included in this series. The papers of Dr. Falkner are the most extensive which contain daily business files, information about the Cincinnati Division, material on the merger with Wright State University, and policy handbooks and manuals. Among the few papers of Beatrice Lacey is an interview with Arthur Morgan on the origins of the Fels Research Institute. Also, information on the plant's grounds, equipment and personnel is available. This series does not contain as much material from Dr. Sontag as expected, considering his forty years of service. Of the little information that is available, available, there is a Sontag publication as well as two recorded interviews.

The fourth series, Grants, primarily contain summaries, applications for grants, and copies of contracts. There are very few scientific reports in these files. There is little or no research data from the Fels Longitudinal Study itself.

The fifth series, Reports, contains annual reports of the Institute from 1930-1959. last three series contain information on the annual reports, publications and public relations.

The sixth series, Public Relations and Photography, contains photographs, scrapbooks, news clippings, newsletters, and promotional materials.

The seventh series, Publications, contains a series of publications regarding the Fels method from Dr. Wm. Cameron Chumlea, research scientist and Fels Professor, Boonshoft School of Medicine.