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Nelson Coon papers

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Creator:

Perkins School for the Blind

Date Range:

1900-1971, bulk 1931-1962

Call Number:

AG91

Abstract:

A collection of Library Bulletins, Library Reports, Museum Reports, lectures, and other documents created by Nelson Coon when he served as the Librarian and Museum Director at Perkins School for the Blind between 1931 and 1962. Related documents from before, and following, Coon’s time at Perkins are also included.

Extent:

1 linear foot, 2 boxes

Language:

English

Processed by:

Susanna Coit, 2018

Biographical/Historical notes:

Nelson Coon was born on March 26, 1895 in Rhinebeck, New York. He attended Union College in Schenectady, New York. He worked as a horticulturist before enrolling in the United States Army in 1917, and was discharged December 12, 1918.  Coon and his wife came to work for Perkins in 1931. Coon began his time at Perkins as the superintendent of buildings and grounds for 18 years before becoming the librarian and museum curator in 1949. He gave many lectures while serving as the librarian and museum director on topics related to blindness and the tactual museum. He also has many publications about Perkins history, prominent figures in blindness history and the education of the blind. After 30 years at Perkins, he retired in 1961 and moved to Martha’s Vineyard where he was an active member of the community until his death on January 10, 1988.

Sources of information:

1989 Perkins Newsletter

Nelson Coon Publications, Martha’s Vineyard Museum

Restrictions:

None

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG91 Nelson Coon Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Scope/Contents:

This collection contains records and documents from Nelson Coon’s work in the Library and Museum at Perkins School for the Blind. It includes Library Reports, Library statistics and administrative information, Library Bulletins, as well as lectures given by Coon. Some reports prior to, and following, Coon’s time as Librarian are included in the collection. The collection includes one photograph.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in one series, by type of document. When possible, items are arranged chronologically.

B1:F1 = Box 1: Folder 1

AG89 Kenneth A. Stuckey Papers. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG129 Blind in Art Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Libraries Digital Collection on Flickr

Blind in Art Digital Collection on Flickr

Nelson Coon Publications (Martha’s Vineyard Museum)

Container List:

Box: 1

  • B1:F1: Photograph of Nelson Coon as a child, about 1900
  • B1:F2: Maps and Geography Material, 1955-1956, undated
  • B1:F3: Lower School Re-Cataloging, 1960
  • B1:F4: Reports to Director from N. Coon, 1924-1954
  • B1:F5: Reading list for Teacher Trainees, undated
  • B1:F6: Library Reports, 1907-1919
  • B1:F7: Library Reports, 1919-1949
  • B1:F8: Library statistics, financial reports, 1909-1924
  • B1:F9: Library Bulletin 1-17, 1949-1950
  • B1:F10: Library Bulletin 18-53, 1951-1955
  • B1:F11: Lecture – Moon Type, 1949-1954
  • B1:F12: Lecture – Libraries, 1952-1954
  • B1:F13: Lecture – Blind in Society, 1952-1955

Box: 2

  • B2:F1: Museum Reports, 1939-1964
  • B2:F2: Museum Reports, undated
  • B2:F3: Library of Congress correspondence and reports, 1956-1959
  • B2:F4: A brief history of guide dogs for the blind – drafts, 1958-1959
  • B2:F5: The Seeing Eye, Inc. correspondence, 1958-1959
  • B2:F6: Lecture – Museum, undated
  • B2:F7: Lecture – Perkins, undated
  • B2:F8: Lecture – Perkins, undated
  • B2:F9: Lecture – Smell, undated
  • B2:F10: Lecture – Types, undated
  • B2:F11: Lecture – Bells, undated
  • B2:F12: Museum, 1962, undated
  • B2:F13: Nelson Coon, 1960, 1962
  • B2:F14: Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, August 21, 1967
  • B2:F15: List of Deaf-Blind Children in New England, September 1, 1971
  • B2:F16: Circulation List
  • B2:F17: Library Administration, 1960-1970
  • B2:F18: Microfilms, Photostats, Xerox Prints, 1959-1961
  • B2:F19: List of reformatted movies from Perkins collection, ca. 1987

Subject headings:

  • Perkins School for the Blind.
  • Perkins School for the Blind–History.
  • Libraries
  • Librarians

Explore more resources from the Archives

Learn more about our collections, including digitized materials, and resources related to the history of Perkins School for the Blind and the history of education for people with blindness or deafblindness.

Visit the Perkins Archives page