Guide to the Grace Walsh Papers, 1931–1994

Last Updated Friday, April 19, 2024, at 8:13 pm

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE AS551

Accession Number: 80-164, 97-091, 08-008

Collection Number: Archives Series 551

Creators: Walsh, Grace

Title: Grace Walsh Papers

Dates: 1931–1994

Quantity: 10.5 linear feet (7 record cartons, 2 flat boxes, 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes)

Location of Collection: A4/1g (Box 6-7), D3/1e (Box 1-2), D3/1f (Box 3-5), D3/1g (Box 8-9)

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: The collection contains financial records, programs, reel-to-reel audio, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, awards, some correspondence, and other general files related to the forensics and debate programs at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire.

Biographical / Historical Note

Grace Walsh, originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, came to Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1944, to teach speech and coach forensics/debate team. Walsh received a bachelor's degree in education from UW-Superior in 1932 and a master's degree in philosophy from UW-Madison in 1939. As a professor and director of forensics for 36 years, she coached 25 state oratory champions and six national champions before retiring in 1980. She also coached 11 Wisconsin forensics champions, and no other state team beat UW-Eau Claire while the team was under her supervision. She was also the co-founder of the speech department and served as its chair for some time. Walsh and her forensics students would organize annual summer institutes for high school students. On April 24, 2000, Grace Walsh passed away at the age of 89.

As of 2022, a number of scholarships up to $5,000 are available in Grace Walsh’s name through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. The scholarships are open to outstanding student competitors of the nationally-ranked forensics team. Sixty percent of funds go to incoming members and forty percent go to returning members. The scholarships are supported by alumni who worked with Walsh, alumni who support the forensics program, and the directors who came after Walsh. There is also a Grace Walsh Tournament held the second full weekend of February at UW-Eau Claire that honors her.

Content Description

The collection is divided into three series: Grace Walsh Personal Files (1933–1994, bulk 1950–1980); Scrapbooks (1940s–1980s); and University of Wisconsin–Eau Clare Debate and Forensics Program Materials (1931–1980, bulk 1950–1980), including the 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Donated to the University Archives and Special Collections, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire prior to March 2006.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Processing Note: Processed by Gregory J. Kocken in June 2007.

Arrangement: By series.

OCLC #: 37026745

Subjects

Personal Names: Walsh, Grace — Archives.

Corporate Names:
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Dept. of Speech. Forensics Program.
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Dept. of Speech. Debate Team.

Subject Terms:
Forensics (Public speaking) — Wisconsin–Eau Claire.
Debates and Debating — Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Series 1: Grace Walsh Personal Files

Detailed List of Contents

Series 1: Grace Walsh Personal Files

Included in this series are files created by and pertaining personally to Grace Walsh.

Dates: 1933–1994, bulk 1950–1980

Extent: 1 linear foot (Contained within 3 records cartons)

Container

Contents

Dates

Box/Folder 1/1

Grace Walsh Awards

1950–1990

Box/Folder 1/2

Grace Walsh Awards

1950–1994

Box/Folder 1/6

Misc. Correspondence

Undated

Box/Folder 1/12

Thanksgiving Address

1954

Box/Folder 1/13

Common Speech Problems

Undated

Box/Folder 1/14

Miscellaneous Files

ca. 1963–1977

Box/Folder 1/18

Grace Walsh Publications

1930s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/5

Vitae

Undated

Box/Folder 2/16

Class Records

1977–1980

Box/Folder 2/18

Misc. Correspondence

Undated

Box/Folder 2/20

Correspondence-Permanent

Undated

Box/Folder 2/21

Speech-Elementary School

Undated

Box/Folder 2/22

Commencement programs and materials

ca. 1937–1970s

Box/Folder 3/12

Speech 110 Argumentation and Debate

Undated

Box/Folder 3/13

Speech 111 Course Material

Undated

Box/Folder 3/36

Commencement-Old-II

Undated

Box/Folder 3/37

Catholic Women’s Club Program

1980s

Box/Folder 3/54

Correspondence-Permanent

Undated

Box/Folder 3/55

Speech 189

1951

Series 2: Scrapbooks

Included in this series are scrapbooks created by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire forensics and debate programs and Pi Kappa Delta, the forensics honorary society.

Dates: 1940s–1980s

Extent: 7.5 linear feet (4 record cartons, 2 flat boxes)

Container

Contents

Dates

Box 4

Scrapbooks

1940s–1960s

Box 5

Scrapbooks

1940s–1960s

Box 6 (Oversize)

Scrapbooks

1940s–1950s

Box 7 (Oversize)

Scrapbooks

1950s

Box 8

Scrapbooks

1950s–1980s

Box 9

Scrapbooks

1940s–1960s

Series 3: UWEC Debate and Forensics Program Materials

Included in this series are financial records, programs, newspaper clipping, some correspondence, and other general files pertaining to the UWEC Debate and Forensics Program.

Dates: 1931–1980, bulk 1950–1980

Extent: 2 linear feet (Contained within 3 record cartons, and 1 flat box, including 8 reel-to-reel audio tapes)

Container

Contents

Dates

Box/Folder 1/3

Newspaper Clippings

1970s

Box/Folder 1/4

Newspaper Clippings

ca. 1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 1/5

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 1/7

Speech Institute Programs

1970s

Box/Folder 1/8

Debate Tournament Programs

1971–1976

Box/Folder 1/9

Winning Orations: Special Edition

ca. 1980

Box/Folder 1/10

Tournament/Forensics Institute Brochures

1970s and 1980s

Box/Folder 1/11

Speech Institute Programs

1970s and 1980s

Box/Folder 1/15

Public Programs

1976

Box/Folder 1/16

Press Releases

1980

Box/Folder 1/17

Newspaper Clippings

1950s–1980s

Box/Folder 1/19

Reel-to-reel audio: 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th International Debates

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 1/20

Reel-to-reel audio: Misc. Grace Walsh Speech, Walsh’s Thanksgiving Address, Walsh’s Whitehouse Conference Speech, Walsh’s Retirement Dinner

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 1/21

Debate Tournament Programs

1960s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/1

Tournament Programs

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/2

Tournament Programs

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/3

Tournament Programs

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/4

Tournament Programs

1950s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/6

Forensics Reports

1960s–1970s

Box/Folder 2/7

Ralph Zimmerman “Mingled Blood” Speech

1955

Box/Folder 2/8

Tournament Programs

1970s

Box/Folder 2/9

Convention Programs

1940s–1950s

Box/Folder 2/10

UW Madison Files

1987–1988

Box/Folder 2/11

Debate Record

1979–80

Box/Folder 2/12

Pi Kappa Delta

Undated

Box/Folder 2/13

Forensics Board Report

1979

Box/Folder 2/14

Pi Kappa Delta Passbook-First Wisconsin

Undated

Box/Folder 2/15

Discussion

1974

Box/Folder 2/17

Interstate Oratory

Undated

Box/Folder 2/19

Misc. Tournament Programs

1970s

Box/Folder 2/23

Newspaper Clippings

Undated

Box/Folder 3/1

Budget

1960–1961

Box/Folder 3/2

Budget

1961–1962

Box/Folder 3/3

Budget

1962–1963

Box/Folder 3/4

Budget

1963–1964

Box/Folder 3/5

Budget

1966–1967

Box/Folder 3/6

Budget

1967–1968

Box/Folder 3/7

Budget

1969–1970

Box/Folder 3/8

Budget

1970–1971

Box/Folder 3/9

Budget

1971–1972

Box/Folder 3/10

Budget

1972–1973

Box/Folder 3/11

Budget

1973–1974

Box/Folder 3/14

Interstate Oratory

1980

Box/Folder 3/15

Interstate Oratory

1978

Box/Folder 3/16

Interstate Oratory

1979

Box/Folder 3/17

Oratory Duesterbeck

Undated

Box/Folder 3/18

Interstate Oratory

Undated

Box/Folder 3/19

Interstate Oratory

1977

Box/Folder 3/20

Interstate Oratory

1977

Box/Folder 3/21

Interstate Oratory — Sandy Siebert

Undated

Box/Folder 3/22

Discussion Speech

Undated

Box/Folders 3/23-26, 28

20^th Summer Speech Institute

1980

Box/Folder 3/27

Forensics Board

1979–1980

Box/Folder 3/29

Bookkeeper — Latest Printout

1979

Box/Folder 3/30

Budget Request

1980–81

Box/Folder 3/31

Misc. Files

Undated

Box/Folder 3/32

Tournaments

Undated

Box/Folder 3/33

Interstate Oratory

Undated

Box/Folder 3/34

Fourth and Fifth International Debates

1954–1955

Box/Folder 3/35

Forensics-Old

Undated

Box/Folder 3/38

Coaches Report

1984

Box/Folder 3/39

West Point

1950s

Box/Folder 3/40

13^th National Public Discussion

1963–64

Box/Folder 3/41

National Content Public Discussion

Undated

Box/Folder 3/42

Forensic-Souvenir Programs

Undated

Box/Folder 3/44

1^st International Debate

1952

Box/Folder 3/45

2^nd International Debate

1952

Box/Folder 3/46

3^rd International Debate

1953

Box/Folder 3/51

6^th International Debate

1956

Box/Folder 3/52

7^th International Debate

1957

Box/Folder 3/47

8^th International Debate

1958

Box/Folder 3/48

9^th International Debate

1959

Box/Folder 3/49

10^th International Debate

1961

Box/Folder 3/50

11^th International Debate

1966

Box/Folder 3/43

12^th International Debate

1963

Box/Folder 3/53

Forensic Tournament Final Report

1964

Box/Folder 3/56

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 6/1

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 6/2

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 6/3

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 6/4

Photographs

Undated

Box/Folder 6/5

Photographs

1940s–1960s

Box/Folder 6/6

Photographs

1930s–1950s

Guide to the Grace Walsh Papers,​ 1931–​1994

Overview of the Collection

Biographical / Historical Note

Content Description

Administrative Information

Subjects

Detailed List of Contents

Guide to the Grace Walsh Papers, 1931–1994