A Finding Aid for the Useful Education Records 1885-1895

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Useful Education Records

Creator: Ferris Institute.

Dates: 1885-1895

Abstract: The quarterly Useful Education acted as both a newsletter detailing programs at Ferris Institute and as an alumni information resource. It was also the academic bulletin that preceded the first official school catalog. The last known issue was in July 1895. It was replaced by the FI Journal and the school catalog.

Language: English

Quantity: 0.2 cubic feet; 1 Hollinger box

Identification: UA 18.3.602

Repository: Ferris State University Archives and Records Management Program

Historical Note

In January 1885, Woodbridge N. Ferris began the publication of Useful Education. This free newspaper served as advertisement for his school and a forum to discuss his theories on popular education. It was published periodically as needed.

This publication evolved into a longer publication with signed articles by alumni, students and faculty. Editors were students and Ferris Industrial School staff. Ferris retained ultimate control as the publisher. It increased circulation and became a subscription based publication with less focus on the course of study and schedules. Instead, the publication provided inspirational articles in teaching, on educational topics and reports of events at the Institute. The last known issue was in October 1895. The replacement publication was the FI Journal.

Scope and Content Note

In January 1885, Woodbridge N. Ferris began the publication of Useful Education. This free newspaper served as advertisement for his school and a forum to discuss his theories on popular education. It was published periodically as needed.

This publication evolved into a longer publication with signed articles by alumni, students and faculty. Editors were students and Ferris Industrial School staff. Ferris retained ultimate control as the publisher. It increased circulation and became a subscription based publication with less focus on the course of study and schedules. Instead, the publication provided inspirational articles in teaching, on educational topics and reports of events at the Institute. The last known issue was in October 1895. The replacement publication was the FI Journal.

Arrangement

The papers are contained in a single series.

Access Information

Conditions of Access

The Useful Education Records are open for research to all users in accordance with University Archives and Records Management access policies. It is available in the reading room of the Ferris State University Archives.

Conditions of Use

Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the University Archivist. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Copyright interests for this collection have been transferred to Ferris State University. For more information, contact the University Archivist.

Subject Headings

Below are a list of names, organizations and subjects relating to the collection. Names have been taken from Library of Congress Authority headings whenever possible.

• Ferris Industrial School (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History
• Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- History- 1885-1895
• Ferris Institute (Big Rapids, Mich.)- Periodicals
• Universities and colleges-Michigan-Curricula-Periodicals
• Useful Education (Big Rapids, Mich.)
• Vocational education- Michigan

Related Materials

None specified.

Administrative Information

Citations

Footnotes and bibliographic references should use the following format:
[Item], Folder, Box. Useful Education Records. Ferris State University Archives. Big Rapids, Michigan.

Provenance (Acquisition Information)

These records were transferred to the archives prior to 1980.

Processing Information

The Useful Education Records were processed to the folder level by Melinda McMartin Isler in June 2005. A finding aid was prepared in a word processing format and converted to EAD 1.0. A revised finding aid was created in January 2008 A collection level MARC-format record was prepared and placed in the library online public access catalog. Description was based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2004).

Technical Requirements

This collection consists of printed publications. No specialized software or hardware is required for viewing.

Content Listing

Series 1. Useful Education. 1885-1895.

This series consists of approximately 0.2 cubic feet of paper and contains general information about the school.

The issues are arranged chronologically. Multiple copies are noted.

Box	Folder	Contents
1	1	Useful Education January 1885..
1	2	Useful Education. January 1886.
1	3	Useful Education. May 1889. 3 copies.
1	4	Useful Education. November 1890.
1	5	Useful Education. February 1892.
1	6	Useful Education. May 1892. 2 copies.
1	7	Useful Education. January 1893.
1	8	Useful Education. October 1894.
1	9	Useful Education. January 1895.
1	10	Useful Education. July 1895.
1	11	Useful Education. October 1895.