MS 688 - Mythopoeic Society, Branch 18 (BGSU) Collection, Bowling Green, Ohio

Title	MS 688 - Mythopoeic Society, Branch 18 (BGSU) Collection, Bowling Green, Ohio
Subject	BGSU Centennial History
Introduction	The Mythopoeic Society, Branch 18 collection contains documents from an organization at Bowling Green State University called the Midgewater Marshes, which was a branch of the Mythopoeic Society. It also contains documents from the Mythopoeic Society, such as the group history, newsletters, correspondence, and membership information. The Branch 18 documents include meeting information, bylaws, correspondence, newspaper articles, and photographs. The dates for the entire collection span from 1968-1985, with Branch 18 years specifically from 1971-1976. The collection was donated by the branch’s moderator, Paul Ritz, in June 1994. No restrictions exist on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted for research purposes. The collection was re-arranged and described by graduate student archival assistant Joan Eardly in September, 2013.
Agency History	Branch 18 of the Mythopoeic Society was established on May 11, 1971 at Bowling Green State University. It was founded by BGSU students Paul Ritz and John Leland. The branches often name themselves after various locations from JRR Tolkien’s fictional world, Middle Earth. Branch 18 dubbed themselves the Midgewater Marshes, due to the town of Bowling Green’s history as a swampland. The branch was active until and probably beyond 1978, which is, unfortunately, further than the scope of the documents in this collection for the BGSU branch. The Mythopoeic Society is, however, still an active organization. The Mythopoeic Society began as a discussion group of fantasy literature, specifically focusing on British authors JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams, in 1967. It became an established, non-profit organization in 1971. The Society was started by then college student, Glen GoodKnight and slowly spread nationally. In 1972 the Tolkien Society of America merged with the Mythopoeic Society. There are currently four active discussion groups in the United States, and an active online community. It produces scholarly and fan-based publications, and hosts an annual convention, Mythcon, for mythopoeic scholarship and fun.
Scope and Content	This collection features information on BGSU’s Branch 18 of the Mythopoeic Society, Midgewater Marshes, and the national Mythopoeic Society. For the Society it has the group’s history, membership and publication information, newsletters, correspondence, and other printed materials. The BGSU branch materials include photographs, correspondence, meeting flyers, organizational bylaws, and newspaper articles. Also featured in the collection are copies of a short story by Inkling author, Charles Williams (with a commentary by fellow author, C.S. Lewis) and a poem by JRR Tolkien. The correspondence in the collection highlights the interworking of the organization and features a petition for changes within the society. This shows the growth of the society as it was in the process of being firmly established, as it is today. News articles and photos emphasize the activeness of the BGSU branch. The printed materials in the collection provide numerous descriptions and details about the beginnings and growth of the society, so anyone with an interest in the history of the Mythopoeic Society, as well as the BGSU branch’s activity, will find it useful.
Series Description	PROCEEDINGS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1971-72 Minutes of meetings held by the High Council of the Mythopoeic Society. SOCIETY DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY n/d Details and history of the establishment and mission of the Mythopoeic Society. MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION AND FORMS 1968, 1973, 1976 Information and forms for those who wish to become a member of the Mythopoeic Society. PUBLICATION INDEXES AND GUIDELINES 1961-80 An index to and guidelines on publishing the Mythopoeic Society’s publications: Mythprint, Mythlore, Mythril, Parma Eldalamberon, Tolkien Journal, and Orcrist. BRANCH FORMING GUIDELINES 1971 Guidelines and procedures on forming branches of the Mythopoeic Society. MYTHPOEIC SOCIETY BYLAWS 1974, 1980 Typed list and details of the operation and rules of the Mythopoeic Society. BGSU – MEETING NOTES 1971-75 Meeting notes and minutes of the BGSU Mythopoeic Society Branch 18, Midgewater Marshes. CORRESPONDENCE LETTERS TO SOCIETY PRESIDENT, GLEN GOODKNIGHT, AND PETITION 1972 Letters addressed to the Mythopoeic Society President, Glen GoodKnight and a petition for changes within the Society. BGSU – LETTERS TO PAUL RITZ 1971-76 Letters addressed to BGSU’s Mythopoeic Society Branch 18 Moderator and co- founder, Paul Ritz. BGSU – UNIVERSITY CORRESPONDENCE 1971-74 Correspondence from Bowling Green State University about photos and activities regarding the BGSU branch. LITERARY PRODUCTIONS BGSU – POEM, STORY n/d A poem by JRR Tolkien and a short story by Charles Williams. PRINTED MATERIALS FLYERS AND MEETING INVITATIONS 1968-85, scattered Personal and public meeting invitations for the Mythopoeic Society meetings. BGSU – FLYERS 1971-72 Advertisements for the BGSU Mythopoeic Society Branch 18 meetings. BGSU – NEWS AND ARTICLES 1972-75 News articles pertaining to the activities of the BGSU Mythopoeic Society Branch 18. PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS BGSU – PHOTOGRAPHS 1972-73 Photos of the BGSU Mythopoeic Society Branch 18 and from Mythcon.
Inventory	Box 1 Folder Letters to Society President, Glen Knight, Petition, 1972 Fliers and Meeting Invitations 1968-85, scattered Reports and Newsletters 1974-76, scattered Council Meeting Minutes, 1971-72 Society Description and History, n/d Membership Information and Forms, 1968, 1973, 1976 Publication Indexes and Guidelines, 1961-80 Branch Forming Guidelines, 1971 Mythopoeic Society Bylaws, 1974, 1980 BGSU – Letters to Paul Ritz, 1971-76 BGSU – Poem, Story, n/d BGSU – Flyers, 1971-72 BGSU – University Correspondence, 1971-74 BGSU – Meeting Notes, 1971-75 BGSU – News Articles, 1972-75 BGSU – Photographs, 1972-73