Albert Greer Weidler papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 09-9.62

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of Albert Greer Weidler, Berea's faculty member (1918-1948) and Dean of Labor (1918-1948). Materials inlcude a transcript of a 1924 commencement speech on race relations given by student Violet Tyler, documents pertaining to Weidler’s efforts to bring a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa to Berea College, correspondence between Weidler and students. Also inlcluded biographical materials, documents and anecdotal information related to Weidler’s involvement with the Berea Student and Berea co-operatives, and correspondence with other colleges.

Dates

Other: Majority of material found in 1922-1956

Creator

Weidler, Albert Greer , 1882-1957 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the collection other than federal copyright regulations.

Biographical or Historical Information

Albert Greer Weidler (1882-1957) served as Berea College’s Dean of Labor (1918-1948) and professor (primarily of Economics and Sociology) (1918-1952). Weidler organized and expanded Berea’s labor program and began the tradition of a campus wide Labor Day celebration. Weidler’s wife, Josephine Mary Corbin (1877-1961) taught at Berea in the Academy and Foundation schools. Weidler received his undergraduate degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., in 1902. He completed post graduate work in 1910 at the University of Pittsburgh. Weidler was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. Berea College President Frost recruited Weidler to serve as a professor of Latin in 1918 and became Dean of Labor in 1920 under President William J. Hutchins. As Dean of Labor, Weidler expanded the labor program to include crafts and skills not directly related to the college’s physical plant. The industries of Broom Craft, Needlecraft, and the Candy Kitchen promoted the ideas of thrift and “pioneer” craftsmanship in connection with the college. Under Weidler’s leadership, “the dignity of labor” as an extension of the college’s mountain heritage became a part of Berea’s educational experience and mission. In May of 1922 Weidler introduced a campus-wide celebration of labor with the first Labor Day. In addition to his work at Berea College, Weidler served as director of the Berea Bank and Trust Company and as an advocate of co-operative consumerism. He organized several co-operatives in the Berea area, including the Berea College Credit Union and the Berea Building and Loan Association.