Hellen Callahan papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS-438

Staff Only

Content Description

A collection of materials originally belonging to an Augusta College History professor and alumna, Hellen Callahan. The collection comprises of materials related to her academic career, the history of Augusta College/Augusta State University/Augusta University, and the history of the Augusta area. Collection also contains color slides of her research travels in Europe and Asia, and publicity articles/newspaper clippings for Dr. Callahan and Augusta College.

Dates

1957-2008

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Dr. Hellen “Nell” Callahan (1937–2016) was a historian, author, and lifelong resident of Augusta, Georgia. The daughter of Cornelius Anthony Callahan and Nellie Dasher Callahan, she graduated as valedictorian of both Sacred Heart School and Mt. St. Joseph High School. After leaving Augusta College due to extenuating circumstances, Callahan served as coordinator of the Augusta Hearing and Speech Center from 1958 to 1969. Following an encouraging conversation with staff at Augusta College’s Continuing Education Department, she returned to Augusta College to complete her B.A. in History, graduating in 1969. She subsequently earned an M.A. in 1970 and a Ph.D. in 1973, both in History from the University of Georgia. Upon completion of her doctorate, Dr. Callahan joined the Augusta College Department of History, where she specialized in European history and taught until her retirement in 2001. As a researcher and writer, Callahan’s work spanned both local and international subjects. Whether through her studies of Augusta’s history in works such as Yesterday’s Augusta, Augusta: A Partial History, and Summerville: A Pictorial History, or through her articles on Irish immigrant populations in the Augusta area, her scholarship centered on Augusta’s social, cultural, and immigrant histories. Dr. Callahan was also active in numerous civic and professional organizations, serving on the boards of the Sheppard Community Blood Center, Summerville Neighborhood Association, Historic Augusta, Inc., Augusta-Richmond County Historical Association, Widows Home, St. Mary on the Hill Parish Council, Augusta-Richmond County Library, Augusta Hospital Authority, Augusta College Foundation, and the Georgia Association of Historians.

Extent

3 boxes (Three bankers boxes. )

3 folders (Three oversized folders. )

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Due to the collection having little to no original order, materials were primarily arranged thematically, then alphabetically, then by date when possible. The collection is divided into 5 main series: 1. Academic Career Materials (materials and papers related to her graduate school and profesorial career at the University of Georgia and Augusta College) 2. Augusta College Materials (Materials and papers that are more generally related to the history of Augusta College and its successor, Augusta State University) 3. General Augusta Materials (Materials and papers related to the history, organizations, events, and happenings of Augusta, Georgia with a focus on cultural heritage) 4. Personal Materials (Materials and papers that are not related to the other catagories and comprise of general correspondence, greeting cards, personal papers, etc.) 5. Publicity (News clippings and newspaper articles emcompassing Augusta College, Augusta, Callahan herself and her personal research interests)

Custodial History

The following was removed from the Hellen Callahan papers (MSS 438) due to the materials already present in our current collections, or incongruency with our collection scope and policies.

1. A copy of the Spring 1987 issue of Augusta Magazine. 2. Issues of the Augusta Genealogical Society newsletter, “Southern Echoes,” from 1980-1994 3. Augusta College “Spotlight” Issues, 4. Four copies of the Fall 1993 Alumni Columns Issue The February 1999 issue of the ASU Report 5. A leatherette clipboard with Dr. Callahan’s name embossed on the front bottom right corner 6. A copy of the Alumni Columns for June 1984 7. Copies of the Augusta Genealogical Society's "Southern Echoes" newsletter, 1980-1994 8. A copy of the "Christenberry v Meyers" Court Case

If a researcher would like to access these materials, please request shelf copies with the desired date instead.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was originally found in the Georgia Room during its conversion into the Special Collections reading room. Although we can presume that it was gathered from her campus office upon retirement, Special Collections personnel is currently investigating into the provenance of the collection.