Guide to the Converse Family Papers

The Converse Family Papers, 1837-1979, contain correspondence, financial and legal records, photographs, printed matter, and other materials that document the personal and professional lives of Amasa Converse, Francis Bartlett Converse, Harry P. Converse, and, to a far lesser extent, Marys A. Converse—the dynasty that published America's oldest religious weekly, the Christian Observer, for almost 149 years. The collection is particularly rich in material documenting the operations of the Christian Observer from the mid-1800s to its closure in 1976.

The Converse Family Papers provide insight for researchers interested in the history of religious publications in America. The collection contains materials describing the owners' fluctuating economic fortunes during the depressions of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as long-time readers' outpouring of sympathy and sorrow upon the paper's termination in January 1976.

The collection is divided into four series: "Amasa Converse papers," "Francis Bartlett Converse papers," "Harry P. Converse papers," and "Christian Observer and Converse and Company records."

The "Amasa Converse papers, 1837-1846 and undated" series contains an autobiography, autobiographical and genealogical materials, a portrait of Converse, and letters written by Converse to William Hill (1769-1852), a prominent nineteenth century Presbyterian churchman. In the undated handwritten autobiography that carries his life up to 1861, Converse reflects on his work as a newspaper editor as well as larger political and religious issues, such as the Old School-New School division in the Presbyterian Church and slavery. Other materials related to Amasa Converse, including correspondence, can be found in the "Christian Observer and Converse and Company records" series. Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically.

The "Francis Bartlett Converse papers, 1838-1867" series contains an account book, two diaries, diplomas, a photograph, and general printed matter. The diaries, from 1864 and 1866 to 1867, contain a young Converse's reflections on his life and work as a Presbyterian minister and newspaper editor with the Christian Observer. Other materials related to Francis Bartlett Converse, including correspondence, can be found in the "Christian Observer and Converse and Company records" series. Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically.

The "Harry P. Converse papers, 1892-1909" series contains a scrapbook, yearbook, pictorial publication, and journal related to Converse's Princeton University college career and early professional life. Other materials related to Harry P. Converse, including correspondence, can be found in the "Christian Observer and Converse and Company records" series. Materials in this series are arranged alphabetically.

The "Christian Observer and Converse and Company records, 1854-1979" series contains correspondence, financial and legal records, reports and meeting records, photographs, and other materials documenting both the day-to-day and the overall operation of the Christian Observer and its parent corporation, Converse and Company. However, some of the materials in the family business records do not appear to have any clear connection to the businesses.

This series contains five subseries: "Reports and meetings," "Correspondence," "Financial and legal records," "Photographs," and "Other records."

The "Reports and meetings, 1877-1962" subseries consists of annual reports, minutes, proxy forms, meeting notices, and related correspondence. The bulk of the material documents the stockholders' and directors' meetings of Converse and Company. Also included are the company's annual financial reports. Materials in this subseries are arranged chronologically.

The "Correspondence, 1855-1979" subseries contains letters to and from individuals and groups connected to the Christian Observer. Multiple generations of the Converse family are represented in these materials. Of particular interest is the voluminous correspondence regarding the closing of the Christian Observer in 1976; the letters contain expressions of gratitude from readers and descriptions of the paper's impact on generations of Presbyterians. Moreover, many of the letters include personal narratives that document the experiences of "everyday" Presbyterians in the mid-to-late twentieth century.

The "Financial and legal records, 1854-1976" subseries includes account books, balance sheets, circulation statistics, contracts, deeds, receipts, stock certificates, and family estate records that document the finances, financial transactions, and legal agreements of the Christian Observer and Converse and Company. These materials are arranged alphabetically.

The "Photographs, 1887-1927" subseries contains photographic prints depicting members of the Converse family as well as the physical plant of the Christian Observer office in Louisville, Kentucky. Prints show the exterior of the building in 1887, the printing press room, and the linotype room. Photographic portraits are of Amasa Converse, Frances Bartlett Converse, and Harry P. Converse. Materials in this subseries are arranged alphabetically.

The "Other records, 1856-1976" subseries consists of articles, building floor plans, a business policy manual, supply inventories, clippings, printed matter, and other materials related to the operation of the Christian Observer and Converse and Company. The business policy manual documents the managerial, financial, and editorial philosophies that guided the administration of the Christian Observer during the 1940s and 1950s. Also included are anniversary issues of the Christian Observer that feature a brief history of the religious publication and the Converse family's ownership and publication of the newspaper. Materials in this subseries are arranged alphabetically.