Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Laura Davis May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Laura Davis May 4 papers

Special Collections and Archives

Laura Davis May 4 papers

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Laura Davis May 4 papers
Inclusive Date(s): 1968-2013
Bulk Date(s): 2003-2013
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rennie Greenfield, November 2015
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Rennie Greenfield using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2015
Origination: Davis, Laura, L.
Extent: 1.16 cubic feet (1 record storage box + 1 media box)
Physical Location: 11th floor (May 4 Collection, Boxes 214 and 214A)
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0166
Abstract: This collection contains the papers of Laura Davis regarding the Kent State shootings. It contains materials related to the May 4 site and subject files related to May 4, 1970.
Revision(s):
January 26, 2021 - Revised by Cara Gilgenbach
Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Laura Davis

Laura Davis is a Kent State University professor emerita of English and the founding director of Kent State's May 4 Visitors Center. She was a freshman on campus during the events of May 4, 1970. Working with university and community members, she coordinated and co-led the creation of an audio-guided walking tour of the May 4 historic site that was dedicated during the 40th anniversary. Davis was active in developing the Kent State May 4 Visitors Center. She and Carole Barbato (1949-2014), professor emerita of communications studies at Kent State, co-taught the university's May 4 course and co-chaired the 2009 Symposium on Democracy. Davis was one of the four co-authors of the application to add the May 4 site to the National Register of Historic Places, which was approved in February 2010.

Scope and Content

These papers contain a wealth of information on many facets of the peace movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s as well as incidents surrounding the Kent State shootings. They provide an inside look into the May 4 historic site, and the Triceracopter, a multi-media art installation and essay project subtitled The Hope for the Obsolescence of War. There are also several subject files dealing with a variety of aspects of the peace movement, the culture of the 1960s, and the aftermath of the Kent State shootings. Also included are unedited videos of interviews, class visits, and a site tour with Charles R. Fassinger conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in April 2007.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection has been arranged into the following series:
Series 1: May 4 Site
Series 2: Triceracopter
Series 3: Subject Files
Series 4: Fassinger Visit Videos


Restrictions on Access

Some information included in this collection is restricted due to the presence of information protected by privacy laws. This information has been redacted where present on documents in the collection. Un-redacted originals, in all cases, have been retained by Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred Citation

Laura Davis May 4 papers. May 4 Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Laura Davis donated her May 4 papers to Special Collections and Archives in 2013.

Controlled Access Headings
The following are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Kent State Shootings, Kent, Ohio, 1970
Kent State University--History
Kent (Ohio)--History
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements
National Register of Historic Places.
Kent State University. Department of English
Peace movements - Ohio - Cincinnati
Persons:
Davis, Laura L.
Barbato, Carole A.
Fassinger, Charles R. (Charles Richard), 1930-2008
Organizations/Corporations:
Ohio. Army National Guard
Ohio Historical Society
Functions:
Universities and colleges--Administration.
Occupations:
College students
College teachers
College Administrators
Material Types:
Maps
Photographs
Correspondence
Video recordings



Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: May 4 Site, 1995-2013
Box 214 / Folder 1
National Register of Historic Places, 2009
Box 214 / Folder 2
Research and proposals for preserving the May 4 site as an historic landmark, 1995-2013
Box 214 / Folder 3
Maps of the May 4 site, undated
Box 214 / Folder 4
Promotional Materials, 2008
Box 214 / Folder 5
"Kent State, Whitecastles, and Subdivisions, Evaluating the Recent Past" by W. Ray Luce, 1995

Series 2: Triceracopter, 1977-2010
Scope and Content
The Triceracopter was a multi-media art installation and essay project subtitled "The Hope for the Obsolescence of War" at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati Ohio.
Box 214 / Folder 6
Meeting Materials, 2003-2009
Box 214 / Folder 7
Promotional Book and 45 RPM record, 1977
Box 214 / Folder 8
Correspondence, 2009-2010
Box 214 / Folder 9
Photographs, undated
Scope and Content
Photocopies of Triceracopter images

Series 3: Subject Files, 1972-2013
Box 214 / Folder 10
1975 Civil Trial, 1975-2007
Box 214 / Folder 11
Artists' Panel, 2006
Box 214 / Folder 12
Buhl, Lance, 2010-2011
Box 214 / Folder 13
Correspondence, 2002-2012
Box 214 / Folder 14
Faculty Forum, 1972
Box 214 / Folder 15
Faculty May 4 Convocation Committee, 1978
Box 214 / Folder 16
Faculty Observers, undated
Box 214 / Folder 17
Flyers and Brochures, 1974-2009
Box 214 / Folder 18
"Four Dead in Ohio": The May 4 Oral History Project, 2000-2002
Box 214 / Folder 19
Colloquium on the Frank and McMillen Manuscripts, 1999-2003
Scope and Content
Also includes a copy of the Barclay D. McMillen manuscript "Who Was Really Responsible for the Shootings"
Box 214 / Folder 20
Guardian, 1968
Box 214 / Folder 21
The History Channel: "Our Generation", 2006
Box 214 / Folder 22
Lt. Colonel Charles Fassinger, 2006-2007
Box 214 / Folder 23
Letters to Families (from Yale University Archive), 1970-1997
Box 214 / Folder 24
May 4 Memorial, 1986-2004
Box 214 / Folder 25
May 4 Resource Room, 2002
Box 214 / Folder 26
Memo Regarding the Disruption of University Educational Facilities, 1969
Box 214 / Folder 27
National Guard, 2009
Box 214 / Folder 28
Ohio Historical Society, 1982
Box 214 / Folder 29
Photographs, 1970, undated
Scope and Content
Includes one photograph of student activist Richie Hess with Laura Davis in the background, photocopies of images from May, 1970, and two contact sheets from an event in the May 4 Resource Room.
Box 214 / Folder 30
May 4 Presentations and Papers (1 of 2), 2003-2013
Box 214 / Folder 31
May 4 Presentations and Papers (2 of 2), 2003-2013
Box 214 / Folder 32
Retired Faculty Association, 2001
Box 214 / Folder 33
Bill Schroeder May 4 Internship Endowed by Laura Davis, 2011
Box 214 / Folder 34
Symposium on Democracy, 2002-2009
Box 214 / Folder 35
"Time it Was: the Culture of the Sixties", 2003-2005

Series 4: Fassinger Visit Videos, April 2007
Box 214A / Folder 1
Charles R. Fassinger Interview, Part 1 of 5, April 1, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:00:54 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited interview footage from an interview with Charles R. Fassinger, conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in 2007 when Fassinger visited Kent State University.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 2
Charles R. Fassinger Interview, Part 2 of 5, April 1, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:07:36 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited interview footage from an interview with Charles R. Fassinger, conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in 2007 when Fassinger visited Kent State University.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 3
Charles R. Fassinger Interview, Part 3 of 5, April 1, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 59:24 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited interview footage from an interview with Charles R. Fassinger, conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in 2007 when Fassinger visited Kent State University.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 4
Charles R. Fassinger Interview, Part 4 of 5, April 1, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:03:27 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited interview footage from an interview with Charles R. Fassinger, conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in 2007 when Fassinger visited Kent State University.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 5
Charles R. Fassinger Interview, Part 5 of 5, April 1, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 49:23 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited interview footage from an interview with Charles R. Fassinger, conducted by Laura Davis and Carole Barbato in 2007 when Fassinger visited Kent State University.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 6
Charles R. Fassinger May 4 Site Tour, Part 1 of 2, April 3, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:03:12 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from a tour of the Kent State shootings site with Charles R. Fassinger in 2007. It is possible this tour was part of his meeting with the May 4 Class on that same date.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 7
Charles R. Fassinger May 4 Site Tour, Part 2 of 2, April 3, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 09:59 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from a tour of the Kent State shootings site with Charles R. Fassinger in 2007. It is possible this tour was part of his meeting with the May 4 Class on that same date.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 8
Charles R. Fassinger Meeting with May 4 Class, Part 1 of 3, April 3, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:03:09 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from Charles R. Fassinger's visit with a May 4 Class taught by Carole Barbato and Laura Davis in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 9
Charles R. Fassinger Meeting with May 4 Class, Part 2 of 3, April 3, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 30:33 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from Charles R. Fassinger's visit with a May 4 Class taught by Carole Barbato and Laura Davis in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 10
Charles R. Fassinger Meeting with May 4 Class, Part 3 of 3, April 3, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 15:03 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from Charles R. Fassinger's visit with a May 4 Class taught by Carole Barbato and Laura Davis in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 11
Charles R. Fassinger Q & A in Resource Room, Part 1 of 3, April 5, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 01:00:29 hours
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from a question and answer session with Charles R. Fassinger in the May 4 Resource Room (University Library, First Floor) in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 12
Charles R. Fassinger Q & A in Resource Room, Part 2 of 3, April 5, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 30:18 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from a question and answer session with Charles R. Fassinger in the May 4 Resource Room (University Library, First Floor) in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.
Box 214A / Folder 13
Charles R. Fassinger Q & A in Resource Room, Part 3 of 3, April 5, 2007
Physical Description: MiniDV Video 21:28 minutes
View Video Online
Scope and Content
Unedited footage from a question and answer session with Charles R. Fassinger in the May 4 Resource Room (University Library, First Floor) in 2007. Please note that it is very difficult or impossible to hear the questions being asked during the session.
Alternate Form Available
This video has been digitally captured. A CD reference copy is also available.
Restrictions on Access
Please access this video content online or by viewing the CD reference copy.