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

Description Rules:

Finding aid prepared using DACS 2nd edition

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, former Associate Provost for Planning and Academic Resource Management (2000-2009), former Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1998-2000) 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 a co-author of the application to add the May 4 site to the National Register of Historic Place, which was approved in February 2010 and a co-author of the application that placed the May 4 Shooting Site on the National Historic Landmark Program, which was approved in October 2016.

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