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Wheaton College Tolkien Society Archive

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Wade-A-113, B-9 and B-37

Scope and Contents

The archive is divided into four series: Society Documents, Annals, Sub-Creation Journal, and WhInklings.

The Society Documents series includes founding documents of the Society such as constitution versions and creation of the WCTS logo and seal, as well as the cabinet and member records and financial documents.

The Annals series records all of the proceedings of the WCTS, including event summaries and publicity, and planning meeting minutes. Photographs from events and other related documents are also included.

The Sub-Creation Journal series includes documents relating to the genre-fiction journal of the same name. The journal was sponsored by the Tolkien Society until Spring 2019 when it became an independent club. Sub-Creation issues are archived in this collection. The journal was started by alumna and WCTS member Beth Potterveld in Fall 2013.

The WhInklings series contains documents relating to the campus writing and discussion group of the same name which is based on the Inklings group from Oxford. It was started as a sub-group of the Tolkien Society by WCTS Staff Adviser Laura Schmidt in Fall 2013 and meets twice per month.

Dates

  • Created: 2008-2024

Biographical or Historical Information

In 2008 a group of Wheaton College students, headed by former Wade Center student worker Abigail (Abbi) Brown, had established an informal campus Tolkien Society which met at Fellowship House (a student on-campus house) on an irregular basis for food and fun. No official student club was established before that era of students had graduated.

In January 2011 Laura Schmidt, archivist of the Wade Center and a former attendee of the informal Tolkien Society events, decided to enlist the aid of Abbi Brown and Deborah Bates (another former society member and Wheaton grad) to plan a Tolkien Reading Day event at the Wade Center on March 25. The purpose of the event was to celebrate Tolkien's life and works and try to establish an official Wheaton College Tolkien Society as a special interest student club, which could also include faculty and staff members.

Over 70 people attended the Tolkien Reading Day event, and over 30 people showed interest in forming a Wheaton College Tolkien Society. The first Society meeting took place on April 8, 2011 at the Wade Center where an outline for the formation of the society was discussed, the constitution approved, and a cabinet was elected. The WCTS went into full swing in the fall of 2012 and added the cabinet position of "Treasurer" in December 2011.

The mission of the WCTS is: "Fostering fellowship and friendship among the students of Wheaton College through enjoyment, discussion, and activities relating to the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Secondarily, extending this community to include the faculty, staff, and alumni of Wheaton College. Focus may branch out to other related authors and topics as directed by the active members of the Society."

Although the WCTS is supported by the Wade Center, it is a separate entity overseen by the Student Activities Office and is not directly connected to the Wade.

Extent

3.00 boxes

1.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This archive records the history and the events of the Wheaton College Tolkien Society, a Wheaton College Special Interest Club established in the Spring of 2011.

Source of Acquisition

none

Related Publications

Researchers interested in this archive may also wish to consult the following resources:

The American Tolkien Society website on Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week

The UK Tolkien Society’s website on Tolkien Reading Day and the Birthday Toast

The Wade Center History Archive

Wheaton College Tolkien Society Website

Other materials in the Wade Center holdings may relate to the topics in this archive. See the archivist for further research assistance.

Processing Information

Processed by Laura Schmidt

Title
Wheaton College Tolkien Society Archive
Author
Laura Schmidt
Date
02/21/2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Marion E. Wade Center Repository

Contact:
Wheaton College
501 College Ave.
Wheaton IL 60187-5593 US
630-752-5908