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University of Toledo History Collections

University Archives has been a part of the Ward M. Canaday Center since its founding in 1979. The archives serve as the institutional memory of the university. The records are used by offices researching the development of policies and seeking documentation of decision-making, by students doing class assignments, by members of student organizations who want to know more about the groups they belong to, by alumni remembering their time at the university, and by community members interested in aspects of one of the most important institutions in the region.

The University of Toledo was founded in 1872 by Jesup W. Scott as the Toledo University of Arts and Trades. Scott believed that Toledo was destined to become the Future Great City of the World, and it needed a university to educate the young people who inhabited that city. Unfortunately for Scott, his institution failed, and his city did not live up to his billing. But after closing in 1878, the university reopened in 1884 when Scott’s sons gave the remaining assets to the city of Toledo. From then until 1967, The University of Toledo was a municipal university supported by the taxpayers of Toledo. That year it joined Ohio’s system of publicly-supported universities. In 2006, another major change occurred when the Medical University of Ohio and UT merged together.

All of these events and many more both large and small are documented in University Archives. Today, the Canaday Center houses over 6000 linear feet of historical records of UT.

Featured collections

"University of Toledo History" exhibit cases

This exhibit, featuring the Canaday Center's collection on University of Toledo history is divided into two displays cabinets.

University of Toledo History


 

University of Toledo History

 

Toledo "U" our proudest toast, We'll never let thy banner fall, The "Gold and Blue" shall be our boast, We'll tell thy aims to one and all.

University of Toledo History

"University of Toledo History," first exhibit cabinet, top shelf

Top shelf

Documents Regarding Transition to State Status, 1966-1967

Office of the President, William S. Carlson Papers, UR PA 55. Documents Regarding Transition to State Status, 1966-1967

After 95 years as a municipally-supported university, Governor James Rhodes signed a bill on August 12, 1965, that established UT as part of the state system of higher education. That action, which was official on July 1, 1967, provided an influx of money that helped to fuel a rapid expansion of the institution. Included here is the agreement that was reached to convert the institution as well as photographs of the event.

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Class ring from the University of Toledo

Class ring from the University of Toledo

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Articles of Incorporation, The Toledo University of Arts and Trades

Articles of Incorporation, The Toledo University of Arts and Trades, October 12, 1872

This document stated five principles upon which the new university was established using resources from the trust of Jesup W. Scott...[continued next]

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Articles of Incorporation, The Toledo University of Arts and Trade

Articles of Incorporation, The Toledo University of Arts and Trades, October 12, 1872

...[continued]: Article four stated: “The object of the trust is to establish an institution for the promotion of knowledge in the arts and trades and their related sciences, by means of lectures and schools…and whatever else will serve to furnish artists and artizans [sic] with the best facilities for a high culture in their professions….” The document was signed by the seven trustees: Jesup W. Scott, Frank J. Scott, William H. Raymond, A. E. Macomber, Charles W. Hill, William H. Scott, and Sarah R. L. Williams.

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Record book containing the Articles of Incorporation

Record book containing the Articles of Incorporation

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Scientific and Industrial Education, Its Importance to Our Country

G. B. Stebbins, “Scientific and Industrial Education, Its Importance to Our Country: Lecture in Behalf of the Toledo University of Arts and Trades, December 10, 1872”

This lecture, presented three months after the founding of the Toledo University of Arts and Trades, detailed the progress being made in Europe to provide technical training to young people. Stebbins hoped it would inspire Toledoans to embrace their new university—and more importantly, for wealthy businessmen to commit financial support.

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First Annual Report, Toledo Manual Training School

First Annual Report, Toledo Manual Training School, 1885

After Scott’s trust failed to produce sufficient funds to support the university, it closed in 1878. In 1884, Scott’s sons gave the remaining assets to the city of Toledo if it agreed to reopen the institution as a manual training school. Manual training was an educational reform idea where students spent half their day in academic classes, and half in vocational workshops. The goal was to produce a well-rounded student. This early report outlined the curriculum of the school.

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Middle Shelf

Middle Shelf

List of the Contents of the University Hall Cornerstone

List of the Contents of the University Hall Cornerstone, 1930

The cornerstone laying ceremony for University Hall, the first building on the Bancroft Street campus, took place on June 12, 1930. Classes were dismissed to allow students to attend. According to this list, written in President Henry Doermann’s hand, the copper box contained a history of the University and descriptions of the University bond issue campaign that funded the construction of both University Hall and the Field House. In addition, there were copies of university catalogs, Blockhouse, Toledo City Journal, and other items.

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Artist's sketch of University Hall

Artist's sketch of University Hall

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Diary Documenting University Hall Construction

Henry Doermann Papers, UM 18. Diary Documenting University Hall Construction, 1930

During the 1930-1931 construction of the first two buildings erected on the Bancroft Street campus, an unidentified employee of Speiker Construction recorded daily progress on the buildings. He noted the weather conditions as well discussions held with architects, university administrators, and contractors. This diary entry from December 19, 1930, refers to the installation of the gargoyles on the tower, which went smoothly and the author thought looked good.

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Constitution of the Panhellenic Council

Panhellenic Council Records, UR 86/25; Inter-Fraternity Council Records, UR 84/20. Constitution, 1951

The Inter-Sorority Council was created in 1927 to provide coordination between sororities, and its name was changed to the Panhellenic Council in 1944. That year, Dean of Women Katherine Easley told the group that “nothing is to be allowed during rough initiation or hell-week that will reflect upon the good character of Toledo University women as a whole.” This constitution dates from 1951.

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Bottom Shelf

Bottom shelf

Cresset Fraternity Minute book, 191

Pi Kappa Alpha Records, UM 74. Cresset Fraternity Minute book, 1915

The Cresset Society, founded in 1915, was the first fraternity on campus. Shown here is the original minute book of the organization, which is known today as Pi Kappa Alpha.

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Entrance Sign to the Glass Bowl

Entrance Sign at the university's north entrance, pointing to the Glass Bowl

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Tucker, Scott, and MacKinnon Halls

Tucker, Scott, and MacKinnon Halls

The first three residence halls on the university's new campus

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Songfest program, 1947

Panhellenic Council Records, UR 86/25;. Inter-Fraternity Council Records, UR 84/20. Songfest program, 1947.

Program from the 1947 Annual Fraternity Men’s Songfest. Songfest – UT’s second longest-running tradition – began in 1937 with a group of six fraternities singing college songs on the lawn behind University Hall. In 1940, women formed their own singing competition. The men’s and women’s competitions continued annually until 1965, when the events were merged.

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First and Last Editions of The Blockhouse

First and Last Editions of The Blockhouse, 1922 and 1985

The university yearbook was begun by the staff of the student newspaper. It was named The Blockhouse after the symbol of the city of Toledo. The first edition was printed in 1922 and the last in 1985, with only a few published in the 1970s and early 1980s. Access all issues in digital format here.

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Toledo Universi-Teaser, March 5, 1919

Toledo Universi-Teaser, March 5, 1919.

In 1919, students Leo Steinem (father of future feminist Gloria Steinem) and Samuel Steinbeck started a student newspaper. The name has changed several times throughout its history, but since 2000 it has been called the Independent Collegian, and it is still published by UT students. Access all issues in digital format here.

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News headlines about the UT-MCO merger

The Toledo Blade and other newspapers provided active coverage of the merger between the University of Toledo and the Merdical College of Ohio.

UT-MCO merger headlines


"University of Toledo History," second exhibit cabinet, top shelf

Top shelf

Site Review for Toledo State College of Medicine, 1965

Medical College of Ohio Archives. Site Review for Toledo State College of Medicine, 1965

This report by architect Dan A. Carmichael evaluated two possible sites for the new Toledo State College of Medicine (later renamed the Medical College of Ohio): the campus of The University of Toledo, and property at Detroit and Arlington in south Toledo that had been the location of the Toledo State Hospital.

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Site study map

Site study map

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House Bill No. 7

House Bill No. 7 to Establish a State College of Medicine at Toledo, 1964

After several years of delay, what would become the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo was established with the unanimous passage of this bill in both the Ohio House and Senate. Governor James Rhodes signed the bill on December 18, 1964, which became the official birthday of the former Medical College of Ohio.

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House Bill No. 7

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Record book containing the Articles of Incorporation

Record book containing the Articles of Incorporation

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Scientific and Industrial Education, Its Importance to Our Country

G. B. Stebbins, “Scientific and Industrial Education, Its Importance to Our Country: Lecture in Behalf of the Toledo University of Arts and Trades, December 10, 1872”

This lecture, presented three months after the founding of the Toledo University of Arts and Trades, detailed the progress being made in Europe to provide technical training to young people. Stebbins hoped it would inspire Toledoans to embrace their new university—and more importantly, for wealthy businessmen to commit financial support.

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First Annual Report, Toledo Manual Training School

First Annual Report, Toledo Manual Training School, 1885

After Scott’s trust failed to produce sufficient funds to support the university, it closed in 1878. In 1884, Scott’s sons gave the remaining assets to the city of Toledo if it agreed to reopen the institution as a manual training school. Manual training was an educational reform idea where students spent half their day in academic classes, and half in vocational workshops. The goal was to produce a well-rounded student. This early report outlined the curriculum of the school.

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Middle Shelf

Middle Shelf

University of Toledo-Medical University of Ohio Merger Documents, 2006

University of Toledo-Medical University of Ohio Merger Documents, 2006

After 42 years of existence as separate institutions, with the passage of House Bill 478, UT and the former Medical College/Medical University of Ohio merged, creating Ohio’s third-largest university. The bill was signed into law by Governor Bob Taft on March 31, 2006. UT’s campus became the Main Campus, and MCO’s campus became the Health Science Campus. Included here is a resolution signed by Toledo City Council in support of the merger.

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UTMC Brochure

Cover of UTMC Brochure

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DiMinutes and photograph of the Medical College of Ohio’s First Board of Trustees, 1965

Medical College of Ohio Archives. Minutes and photograph of the Medical College of Ohio’s First Board of Trustees, 1965

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Toledo State College of Medicine was held on January 7, 1965. Officers were elected, with Paul Block, Jr., serving as the Board’s first chairman.

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First trustees

Meeting of the First trustees

The photograph depicts Paul Block, Jr., at the head of the conference table with the other trustees, including Dr. Byron Grant Shaffer, John A. Skipton, Sister Mary Lawrence, Dr. Frank F.A. Rawling, J. Preston Levis, James Slater Gibson, William W. Knight, Jr., and Bernard R. Baker II.

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First trustees

Medical College of Ohio Archives. Photo of Graduating Class (above) and Articles of Incorporation of Toledo Area Medical College and Education Foundation, 1961 (below)

The Toledo Area Medical College and Education Foundation was created to promote medical education and a medical school in Toledo. Some of the more prominent signers of this document include UT President William S. Carlson; Toledo mayor Michael Damas; and chairman of the Willys-Overland Corporation, Ward M. Canaday.

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Bottom Shelf

Bottom shelf

Photographs and literature about the UT Nursing Program

Photographs and literature about the UT Nursing Program

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The Medical College of Ohio Mace, 1972

Medical College of Ohio Archives. The Medical College of Ohio Mace, 1972

Prior to the first commencement of the Medical College of Ohio in 1972, Dr. Robert Page contacted internationally-acclaimed glass artist Dominick Labino to design and create the mace to be used in academic ceremonies. Ronald Watterson, MCO librarian, served as marshal and carried the mace during the commencement. This is the original mace; a replica was used in commencements.

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The Medical College of Ohio Mace, 1972

The Medical College of Ohio Mace, 1972

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Yearbook and clasroom photo

A copy of Asprirations 1989 (Yearbook) and a classroom photo

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Toledo City Council Resolution

Easel display of the Toledo City Council's resolution in support of the UT-MCO merger

 

 

 

Toledo City Council Resolution

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