MS 1136 - Nancy G. Steen Collection

Title	MS 1136 - Nancy G. Steen Collection
Subject	Arts & Entertainment
Subject	BGSU Centennial History
Introduction	The Nancy G. Steen Collection consists of three linear feet of correspondence, files, literary productions, reviews, bibliographies, videographies and discographies, as well as printed material, photographs, and artifacts documenting the family life and personal interests of the former Rare Books Librarian of Bowling Green State University. The collection spans the years of approximately 1864-2012. It is divided into two parts: Part 1- Jose Carreras and Personal Interests of Nancy Steen (1954-2005) and Part 2 – Family Papers (1864-2012). The donation and transfer of these records to the Center for Archival Collections was arranged through the cooperation of Sherrill L. Gray on February 21, 2008. The collection was processed and the finding aid was prepared by Lee N. McLaird, Curator of Rare Books and Special Collections in February 2010. The family papers of Miss Steen were added to the collection by Sherrill L. Gray in December 2011. This addition was processed and the finding aid was prepared by Eric Honneffer between 2012 and March 2013.
Biographical Sketch	Nancy Gay Steen was born March 4, 1939 to H. Greeley and Winifred (Freyman) Steen in Bowling Green, Ohio. Her grandfather was Irven I. Freyman, Portage, Ohio photographer and business man. Nancy graduated from Bowling Green High School, and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Bowling Green State University. She also earned a master’s in library science from the University of Michigan. During her library career, Steen worked in a number of areas of the Bowling Green State University Libraries, including the Popular Culture Library, finally serving as the University’s first Rare Books Librarian. She retired in 1990. She was a member of Greenwood Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Friends of the BGSU University Libraries, the Stratford Festival of Canada, and the Jose Carreras Society of America, where she was a board member and discographer. She died July 3, 2006. In honor of her parents she established the Winifred and Greeley Steen Rare Books Collection fund.
Scope and Content	The Nancy G. Steen collection consists of correspondence, files, literary productions, reviews and articles, listings of videos and sound recordings, a variety of printed material, and photographs, documenting the family life, activities and interests of Nancy Steen. The collection is fairly evenly split between documentation chronicling her family’s (Steen, Freyman, Smith) business interests, community involvement, and travels as well as materials pertaining to the Jose Carreras Society of America, of which she was a board member and discographer. There are also materials relating to figure skater (and Bowling Green native) Scott Hamilton, and to Steen’s interests in theater, and in foreign travel, particularly to Spain. Finally, the photographs in the collection document Steen’s family, travels, and the activities of the Jose Carreras Society of America. Irven Freyman, Nancy Steen’s maternal grandfather, was a professional photographer, a businessman (see MS-91, the I.I. Freyman Collection), and community leader, who lived in Portage, Ohio before moving to Bowling Green, Ohio. The Steen Collection includes some of his photographic images from the Portage area, documents his local banking career there with the Munn Bank, and offers insights into area business practices during the early decades of the Twentieth Century.
Series Description	CORRESPONDENCE CORRESPONDENCE 1909-2006 Arranged by various family members’ names and others Letters sent to and from Nancy Steen’s grandparents (I.I. Freyman, Ethel Smith Freyman), her parents (Greeley and Winifred Freyman Steen), and other extended family members are included. WWII era correspondence between Greeley, his brother Roe, and their dad is part of the holdings. A small number of letters focus on Nancy’s years in school, her correspondence from Stratford actors William Hutt, Brian Bedford, et al and electronic mail printouts with the Jose Carreras Society of America and one from Carreras. Also included are some materials on personal book orders. Condolence letters and cards sent to Sherry Gray upon Nancy’s death in 2006 conclude the correspondence. FILES FILES 1864-2012 Arranged by subject Files focus on local Bowling Green and Portage business interests of I.I. Freyman concerning Albert Froney, Fred Moore, and the Munn Bank. Documentation regarding the Eicher, Smith, and Steen families are included as well. LITERARY PRODUCTIONS AUTOGRAPH BOOK AND DIARIES 1888-1968 I.I. Freyman’s autograph book from school and a pocket diary are included. Three diaries belonging to Winifred Freyman Steen chronicle daily happenings. MEMORY BOOKS 1906-1968 Records of various Freyman, Smith, Eicher, Steen family births, deaths, and marriages are documented. SCHOOL PAPERS 1900-1965 Various literary projects written by Nancy, her mother or grandmother are included. REVIEWS 1999-2005 Arranged chronologically Reviews of recordings and books by Nancy Steen for the Jose Carreras Society of America. LEGAL DOCUMENTS LEGAL DOCUMENTS 1909-1952 A small number of legal papers and certificates belonging mostly to I.I. Freyman pertain to his banking and business affairs in the area. Some documents may also relate to banking and property transactions between him and Winifred and Greeley Steen. Some of Winifred Steen’s teaching contracts are included. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS LIQUIDATION DOCUMENTS 1921-1937 These can include an inventory and a final report of the liquidation of the Munn Bank in Portage, Ohio. SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL 1882-2012 Arranged by topic Magazines, clippings, programs and related material regarding actors, performers, singer Jose Carreras, and figure skater Scott Hamilton. Obituaries, funeral memorial cards, clippings, grade cards, diplomas, and an oversized marriage certificate concerning Nancy’s family are also included. PRINTED MATERIALS BOOKLETS 1896-1961, 1978, 1982, 1989, 1994, 1995 No arrangement A commemorative publication for the fortieth anniversary of the Cygnet Savings Bank Company and a couple of informational documents about banking are included. A few Bowling Green Town and Gown club programs and a “historical Landmarks” essay by C.S. Van Tassel discussing local points of interest are filed. Also included is a pocket guide to the Identification of First Editions (1989, 1995), exhibition catalog on William Carlos Williams, “The Robert Rogers Hubach Collection of Walt Whitman,” written by Nancy Steen; “Remembering Spain: Hemingway’s Civil War Eulogy, ” by Cary Nelson. PROGRAMS 1968-1984, 1995-2004 Arranged by topic and date Programs of stage productions, Carreras performances as well as Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, postcards, brochures, histories, and design portfolios. CALENDARS 1993-2002 Arranged by date Limited edition calendars from the Jose Carreras Society of America, signed by Carreras and sold to members to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation. One calendar from Stars on Ice. BOOKS Scattered dates Includes BGSU Abstracts of Masters Theses, library cataloging textbook, and antiquarian book catalog. Other books donated by Nancy Steen are separately cataloged and appear in a list at the end of Part 1 of this finding aid. PERIODICALS 1967-1977, 1981-1995 scattered, 1990s-2000s Arranged alphabetically, then by date Stratford Festival newsletter, Fanfares is found in Part 2 of the collection. Periodicals Biblio and Firsts, filed after the artifacts in Part 1. PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS PHOTOGRAPHS c. 1890-2006 Arranged by subject Document the Freyman, Smith, Steen, Eicher families, Portage area images by I.I. Freyman, travel, Carreras Society activities, Nancy and her friends and pets. There are also two photograph sets of Stratford Festival productions. AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS VIDEOTAPES 1998 No arrangement The Best of the Stars on Ice, volume 1 ARTIFACTS ARTIFACTS c. 1907-2003 No arrangement Lady’s hankey and an American Legion medal presented to Nancy. Also included are a Catalan flag, pen, photomagnets, and ticket stub from Jose Carreras Society of America. The ticket stub was from a performance in Clearwater (Tampa) Florida and the flag was from a Carnegie Hall recital in December 2003. Society “members had them to show support”.
Inventory	Part 1 - Carreras Society and Personal Interests Box 1 Folders Correspondence. Personal, n.d. Correspondence. Book orders, n.d. Correspondence. Email and newsletters, 2000-2004 Reviews and articles for Carreras Society, 1999-2005 Subject file. Barcelona Trip, 1999 Subject file. Barcelona and London Trip, 2001 Subject File. Brosnan, Pierce, 2001-2002 Subject file. Carreras, Jose. Timeline, 2002 Subject file. Carreras, Jose. Clippings, 2002 Subject file. Carreras, Jose. Videos and recordings, 2003 Subject file. Hamilton, Scott. Clippings, scattered dates Subject file. Hamilton, Scott. Sports Illustrated, 1984-02-06 Subject file. Hamilton, Scott. Programs, 1981-1990 Box 2: Subject Files, Printed Material Folders Subject file. Redford, Robert, 1998 Subject file. Saint, Eva Marie at BGSU, 1987 Subject file. Sandler & Young, scattered dates Subject file. Three Tenors (magazines), 1994 Subject file. Three Tenors (clippings), 1994-1996 Subject file. Three Tenors PBS concert (2c), 1994 Subject file. Time Magazine. Artists & Entertainers, 1998 Subject file. Toledo Museum of Art. Van Gogh exhibit, 2003 Booklets. A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions, 1989, 1995 Booklet, exhibit catalog. William Carlos Williams, 1978 The Robert Rogers Hubach Collection of Walt Whitman, 1982 Booklet. "Remembering Spain: Hemingway’s Civil War Eulogy," by Cary Nelson, 1994 Program. Send Me No Flowers playbill. (Toledo,Ohio), n.d. Program. The Gin Game and related material, 1995 Program. Playbills for Chicago and 1776, 1997 Program and brochure for Les Miserables, 2001 Box 3: Printed Material Folders Program. Carreras performance, 1997 Program. Carreras performance (autographed), 1999 Program. Carreras performance, 2001 Program. Carreras performance, 2001 Program and related material. Carreras honorary degree Rutgers University (autographed), 2004 Catalogs. Jose Carreras Society of America, 1998-1999 Jose Carreras Society of America Journal, 2005 Calendars. Carreras, 1993-1999 Calendars. Carreras, 2001-2002 Calendar. Stars on Ice, 2000 Box 4: Printed Material, Audiovisual Material, Artifacts Folders Book. Simple Library Cataloging, 1954 Book. BGSU. Abstracts of Masters Theses, 1965 Book. A Catalog of First Books, 1984 Videotape. Stars on Ice, vol. 1, 1995 Photographs. New York City trip, 1997 Photographs. Washington, DC trip, 1999 Photographs. Seattle, WA. Carreras Society, 2002 Photographs. Jose Carreras, n.d. Photographs. Jose Carreras (signed), n.d. Photographs. Jose Carreras (clippings), n.d. Photograph albums. Cats and child, n.d. Artifacts, including magnets, flags, tickets, n.d. Box 5: Periodicals Folders Biblio, v 2, nos. 7, 8, 9, 1997 Biblio, v 2, nos. 10, 11, 12, 1997 Biblio, v 3, nos. 2, 3, 1998 Biblio, v 3, nos 4, 5, 6, 7, 1998 Biblio, v 3, nos 8, 9, 10, 12, 1998 Biblio, v 4, nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 1999 Firsts, v 1, nos 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 1991 Firsts, v1, nos 9, 10, 11, 12 1991 Box 6: Periodicals Folders Firsts, v2, nos 1, 2, 3, 4, 1992 Firsts, v2, nos 5, 6, 7, 8, 1992 Firsts, v2, nos 9, 10, 11, 12, 1992 Firsts, v3, nos 1, 2, 3, 1993 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v1-2, 1988-9 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v3-4, 1990-1 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v5, 1992 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v6, 1993 Box 7: Periodicals Folders Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v7, 1998 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v8, 1999 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v9, 2000 Jose Carreras Society of America Newsletter, v10, 2001 Opera (Jan 2003, Aug 2004) Opera Actual, Sep-Oct 1998 Part 2 - Family Papers Box 1 Folders Correspondence to I.I. or Ethel Freyman, 1910-1940 Correspondence from Forrest and Olive Smith,1913-1919 Correspondence from George Fisher and J.M. Urshel, 1919 Correspondence from Ethel or Winifred Freyman, 1914-1916 Correspondence from Ethel Freyman, 1909-1947 Correspondence to Winifred Freyman, 1928-1949 Correspondence from I.I. Freyman to Winifred et al,1909-1952 Correspondence from Freymans to Nancy, 1949-1952 Correspondence to Greeley Steen, 1937-1949 Correspondence from Greeley Steen,1941-1949 Correspondence between Greeley Steen and Roland Schwyn, 1937-1943 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen, 1942 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen, Jan.-July 1943 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen, Sept.-Dec. 1943 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen, Feb.-June 1944 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen and their dad, July-Dec. 1944 Correspondence between Roe and Greeley Steen, 1945-1946 Correspondence between Greeley Steen and his dad, 1947 Correspondence to Nancy from her dad and others, 1952-1985 Correspondence to Nancy from her mom, 1965 Correspondence from Nancy, 1946-1948 Correspondence from Bowling Green High School, 1955-1957 Correspondence from Bowling Green State University, 1958-1962 Correspondence from Stratford actors, 1965-2005 Correspondence – Condolences sent to Sherry Gray upon Nancy’s death, 2006 Box 2 Folders File – Albert Froney, 1864-1922 File – Fred Moore, 1892-1921 File – Munn Bank, Portage, Ohio, 1909-1942 File – Leona Eicher (Nancy’s great aunt), 1922-1946 File – Eicher family, 2012 File – J.F. Smith family Bible contents, 1882-1908 File – Portage, Ohio, 1874-1961, nd File – Nancy’s pets, 1999-2007 File – Greeley Steen, 1948, nd Literary production – I.I. Freyman autograph book and a pocket diary, 1888, 1907 Literary production – Winifred Steen diaries, 1923, 1944 Literary production – Winifred Steen diary, 1936-1939 Box 3 Folders Wedding book for Mr. and Mrs. I.I. Freyman, 1906 Wedding book, marriage license, and hankey for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Eicher, 1911 Baby book for Nancy, 1939 Memorial record for Abigail W. Smith, 1951 Memorial record for I.I. Freyman, 1956 Memorial record for Ethel Freyman, 1966 Memorial record for Winifred Steen, 1968 Box 4 Folders Valedictory address possibly by Ethel Smith, 1900 School papers of Winifred, 1929 School papers of Nancy, 1951-1952 Research papers and writings of Nancy, 1960-1990 Bibliography compiled by Nancy about Stratford-Upon-Avon and Shakespeare, nd Diplomas – Nancy, 1954, 1957, American Legion pin, 1957 Diploma – Nancy, 1961 Diploma – Nancy, 1963 Diploma – Nancy, 1966 Recognition – Associate Professor Emeritus – Nancy, 1990 American Legion pin, nd Box 5 Folders Legal documents – Hugh Williams, 1909 Legal documents and certificates – I.I. Freyman and William Freyman, 1911-1952 Membership cards – I.I. Freyman, 1942-1956 Grade cards and contracts – Winifred Freyman, 1914-1932 Grade cards – Nancy Steen, 1945-1957 Grade cards – Nancy Steen, 1957-1966 Honors – Nancy Steen, 1955-1979 Graduation programs, invitations, 1902-1963 Wedding invitations – Steen 1935, 1969 The Adelphean of Alpha Delta Pi Win., 1960-1961 Panther’s Scream – Portage Twsp. H.S,. nd Printed material – Banking in N.W. Ohio (primarily Wood County), 1896-1961 Printed material –Forty Years of Service Cygnet Savings Bank Company, 1899-1939, 1960 Printed material – BGSU, 1926-1958 Printed material – BGSU, 1959-1963 Printed material – WWI, 1917 Printed material – WWII, Federal Housing Administration, 1942-1943 Printed material – Bowling Green Town and Gown Club, Toledo, and area, 1927-1954 Funeral arrangements, memorial cards, 1909-1999 News clippings – Freyman, Steen families (includes two copies of The Portage Record), 1917-2012 News clippings – Williams, Smith families Logan County 1924, nd News clippings – Nancy Steen, 1953-2006 Box 6 Folders Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1968-1969 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1970-1971 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1972-1973 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1974-1975 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1976-1977 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1978-1979 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1980-1981 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1982-1984 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1988-1989 Stratford Festival Souvenir Programs, 1995, 2002 Box 7 Folders Fanfares – Stratford Festival newsletter, 1967-1973 Fanfares – Stratford Festival newsletter, 1974-1977 Fanfares – Stratford Festival newsletter, 1981-1995 scatt. Stratford Festival brochures, histories, and schedules, 1972-1984 Stratford Festival stage and costume design portfolios, 1977, nd Stratford Festival postcards, 1965-1977 Stratford Festival production photos of “Measure for Measure”, 1969 Stratford Festival production photos of “The Merchant of Venice”, 1970 Box 8 Folders Photos – I.I. Freyman and family, c.1913, 1950 Photos – Ethel Smith Freyman, c. 1900,1920, 1950 Photos – I.I. Freyman photo album of his images of Ethel and Winifred, c. 1907-1913 Photos – I.I. Freyman photo session with Winifred Freyman and Donald Brown as a baby bridal couple, c. 1913 Photos – Winifred attending Bowling Green State Normal College, c. 1920 Photos –Winifred Freyman Steen, 1907-1968 Photos – Winifred portraits, c. 1910-1968 Photos – Greeley Steen, c. 1904-1980 Photos – Greeley and Winifred Steen, 1935-1950 Photos – Nancy Steen, c. 1939-1960 Photos – Nancy in high school, c. 1957 Photos – Nancy Steen and Sherry Gray and Friends, c. 1954-1990 Photos – Everton Freyman, c. 1930 Photos – Leona Smith Eicher, c. 1900, 1932 Photos – Joe and Leona Eicher, c. 1911, 1932 Photos – Forest and Olive Smith, c. 1907-1920 Photos – Smith family, c. 1850-1951 Box 9 Folders Photos – Greeley Steen and his mother and his siblings, c. 1908-1969 Photos – Steen family, c. 1968-1999 Photos – Sarah Steen at Portage School, 1937-1941 Photos – Roe Steen, c. 1942 Photos – Portage images by I.I. Freyman?, c. 1890-1910 Photos – Swimming at the old Snow Flake Limestone Quarry (3), c. 1910 Photos – Misc. by I. Freyman?, c. 1890, 1910 Photos – Cygnet Bank and Munn Bank in Portage, c. 1920, 1950 Photos – Cygnet Bank staff, 1950 Photos – I.I. Freyman homes in Portage and at 802 N. Main, Bowling Green, c. 1900-1949 Photos – Greeley Steen homes at 129 Eberly, and 1204 Lyn Road, Bowling Green, c. 1959-1978 Photos – Nancy’s cats, c. 1950-1986 Photos – Kitty bragbook, 1975 Photos – Postcards of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and one of the Wood County Women’s Christian Temperance Union, c. 1900 Photo – President Garfield memorial cabinet card, nd Textile – Ladies hankey given to Ethel Freyman by her grandmother, 1910 OVERSIZE Box 1 Folders Marriage certificate for James Smith and Abbie Williams, 9-28-1882 Documents for the liquidation of the Munn Bank Including an inventory, 1921-1934 and a final report, 1934-1937 Memory photo book from Nancy’s memorial, 2006 Framed, signed, and inscribed photo of opera singer José Carreras, 1998 Photo – ILL Charles Edwin Chittenden Class Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Toledo, 1944 2 photos of BGSU Alpha Delta Pi members, 1959-1961 Oversized diplomas are located in an envelope in the uncataloged newspaper storage drawers These include: High school diploma – I.I. Freyman, Portage, 1900 High school diploma – Ethel Smith, Ada, 1900 High school diploma – Winifred Freyman, Portage, 1924 High school diploma – Winifred Freyman, B.G., 1925 B.S. degree – Winifred Freyman, BGSU, 1929 High school diploma – Greeley Steen, Portage, 1924 High school diploma – Greeley Steen, B.G., 1925

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