George Whitaker, 1890-1893

The bulk of George Whitaker's papers consist of correspondence created during Whitaker's time as Willamette University's president. The collection is comprised mainly of incoming correspondence, invoices and telegrams regarding the day to day management of the University. President Whitaker identified these papers as either “School Letters” or “Business Letters,” a distinction retained in the series titles. While all documents relate to the business of the university, the school letters offer a more personal view of university administration while the business letters deal solely with sales, purchases and other administrative issues.

There are letters concerned with orders for books and various school supplies, advertising offers, accounts and bills, and offers for Willamette University to be placed in directories. There are also letters relating to the Willamette University fire of 1891, the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893, various Methodist publications and meetings, train travel, a flag, and properties pertaining to Willamette University. The materials give a clear view of the business practices of Willamette University in the early 1890s.