Roland F. Smith Collected Papers
Scope and Contents
Papers were given to the SCPC by the daughter of Roland Smith. It was decided to name the collection after him, even though there are family papers included of his wives, parents, parents-in-law, brother-in-law (Charles Johnson), and Marcia Geiger. The diaries and letters of this collection provide a window into family relations and into the work and conditions existent at state mental hospitals and CPS camps in the 1940s.
Dates
- Creation: 1939-1946, 1981,1987-1990
Creator
Language of Materials
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Conditions Governing Use
None.
Biographical
Roland F. Smith was born on April 8, 1917 and died on April 21, 1992. Smith was from Milton, Massachuseets and belonged to the Congregational Christian Church. He was employed as a teacher. During WWII he was classified as a conscientious objector, and served in Civilian Public Service (CPS) at Buck Creek Camp (#19) in Marion, Marion, North Carolina, from November 25, 1941 to December 1942, at the Cheltenham School for Boys (#62) in Cheltenham, Maryland from January 1943 to May 30, 1943, at the Powelsville Camp (#52) in Powellsville, Maryland from May 31, 1943 to August 30, 1943, and at the Philadelphia State Hospital [Byberry] (#49) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 6, 1943 to December 16, 1945. Smith married Ada Mary Johnson (born February 13, 1920) on March 28, 1945; On October 5, 1945 she was hit by a car and died the next day. Roland Smith married Ada Mary’s sister, Margaret Johnson the following year.
Extent
1.25 linear ft.
Abstract
Papers of Roland F. Smith documenting his service in Civilian Public Service as a conscientious objector during WWII, as well as family papers.
Custodial History
The Swarthmore College Peace Collection is the official repository for these papers/records.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of family of Roland F. Smith, 2007.
Separated Materials
Photos removed to the Photograph Collection include snapshots of Roland Smith, and of the various CPS camps where he served.
Legal Status
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Processing Information
Processed, and checklist created, by Anne M. Yoder, Archivist, August 2007; updated December 2012.
Source
Subject
- Civilian Public Service (Organization)
- Civilian Public Service. Camp (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Organization)
- Civilian Public Service. Camp (Williamsburg, Va.) (Organization)
- Civilian Public Service. Camp (Coleville, Calif.) (Organization)
- Byberry State Hospital (Pa.) (Organization)
- Eastern State Hospital (Va.) (Organization)
Topical
- Conscientious Objectors -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Pacifists -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Psychiatric hospitals -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- History -- Sources
- Psychiatric hospitals -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Psychiatric hospitals -- Virginia -- Williamsburg -- History -- Sources
- Quakers -- New York (State) -- Albany -- History -- Sources
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious Objectors -- United States -- Sources
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Swarthmore College Peace Collection Library
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore 19081-1399 USA US
610-328-8557
610-328-8544 (Fax)
peacecollection@swarthmore.edu
