2017-03-16 Guide to the Martin W. Essex Papers, 1933-1990 RG.42.46 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2017 March This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2019-04-15T10:05-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Martin W. Essex Papers RG.42.46 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 11.92 Cubic feet 1933-1990 Martin W. Essex attended Ohio State University for his bachelor's and master's degrees. He worked as a school administrator in multiple Ohio cities and in Ferndale, Michigan. Essex was nationally known as a school administrator, and was the longest serving state superintendent of schools in Ohio, serving from 1966-1977. The Martin W. Essex Papers contain plaques and awards given to Martin by various educational and governmental entities, along with photographs of Martin and Blanche Essex, his wife; these items span the years 1933-1990. (8) cartons; (3) flat boxes English Essex, Martin (Martin W.) Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in the order received.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession Number UA.2004.0042: Abby Hurd, 2004; Accession Number UA.2004.0108: Abby Hurd, 2004

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Martin W. Essex Papers, RG.42.46, Ohio State University Archives, Ohio State University

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for patron research, but may be used only in the University Archives Reading Room.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2017 March

 Biographical Note

Martin W. Essex was born on March 25, 1908. He received a Bachelor's of Science in Education in 1930, and a Master's of Arts in 1934, both from the Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, he was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society in 1934. He worked as a school administrator in Ohio in Meigs County, East Liverpool, Lakewood, and Akron, and in Ferndale, Michigan. Essex was married to Blanche Davis, a teacher he met while working in Meigs County. Nationally known as a school administrator, Essex was the longest serving state superintendent of schools in Ohio, serving from 1966 to when he stepped down in 1977. Essex also was elected the President fo the American Association of School Administrators in 1960. He founded the Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted in 1976, a summer program for academically gifted Ohio students. Essex died on November 27, 1997.

 Scope and Contents

The Martin W. Essex Papers contain plaques and awards awarded to Martin W. Essex by various educational and governmental entities, along with photographs of Martin and Blanche Essex; these items span the dates 1933 through 1990.

 Essex, Blanche Essex, Martin (Martin W.) Ohio State University--History. Ohio State University--Students. Awards College students--Ohio--Columbus--20th century Cultural artifacts Photographs Plaques (flat objects) School administrators--Ohio--20th century Accession Number UA.2004.0042 9.82 Cubic feet 1934-1990 (7) cartons; (2) flat boxes American Association of School Administrators Distinguished Service Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0001 1978 State of Florida Honorary Citizenship certificate UA.2004.0042.0001 1963 May James R. Kirkpatrick Governmental Relations Award plaque and scroll UA.2004.0042.0001 1985 March Seal of the State of Ohio wooden cutout UA.2004.0042.0001 undated Rotary Club of Los Angeles Speaker of the Day brass bell UA.2004.0042.0001 1960 July 1 Title 1 Coordinators of Ohio Enabling Ohio Disadvantaged Youth clay child figurine UA.2004.0042.0001 1975 State Superintendant of Public Instruction Ohio PTA Lifetime Membership Committee plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1976 October 26 Boy Scouts of American Century Member plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1974 Akron Coaches Asssociation Honorary Member plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1966 State IGE Coordinating Council Certificate of Appreciation UA.2004.0042.0003 undated Ohio Youth in Government Certificate of Appreciation plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1972 April 27 National Council of State Education Agency Community Educators Certificate of Appreciation UA.2004.0042.0003 undated Zanesville Muskingham County Council of PTA plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1975 Ohio Association of Secondary Schools Principals Distinguished Service Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0003 1973 Lyndon B. Johnson pen from ceremony signing S. 3769 in shadow box UA.2004.0042.0003 1968 October 16 Ohio Coalition for the Education of Handicapped Children plaque and figurines UA.2004.0042.0004 1974 April 8 Ohio Public Broadcasting Award "for Outstanding Contributions" Commissioner's Award UA.2004.0042.0004 1979 June 11 Ohio Right to Read Commission resolution of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0004 1977 February 15 American Association of School Administrators certificate of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0004 1990 May 1 Future Farmers of America Degree of Honorary American Farmer certificate UA.2004.0042.0004 1969 October 15 Ohio Education Association Distinguished Service to Education and the Teaching Profession plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1966 Ohio Association of School Administrators Distinguished Service to Education and President of A.A.S.A. plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1956-1960 Akron Public Schools Dapper Dan Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1962 February 7 Ohio Association of Elementary School Principals Special Award for Distinguished Service to Education plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1974 February 7 Anti-Defamation League of B'Nai B'Rith Human Rights Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1970 November 8 Boy Scouts of America Century Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1975 Rotary International Conference District 663 Community Service Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 1970 April 11 International Student Ambassador Institute Board Member certificate of appreciation plaque UA.2004.0042.0005 undated Ohio Council on Economic Education Distinguished Service Honor Roll framed certificate UA.2004.0042.0005 undated Ohio Association for Adult Educators award of merit framed certificate UA.2004.0042.0006 1965 August 5 Ohio School Boards Association American Educator's Medal wooden certificate UA.2004.0042.0006 1985 Buckeye Association of School Administrators Distinguished Service Award plaque UA.2004.0042.0006 undated YMCA Youth in Government for service to youth plaque UA.2004.0042.0006 1977 State Library of Ohio Resolution 76-1 UA.2004.0042.0006 1976 January 13 Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge American Educators Medal wooden certificate UA.2004.0042.0006 1969 WHLO Akron/Canton Community award of merit wooden certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1965 August 5 VICA framed poster UA.2004.0042.0007 1968 May-June Charles Stewart Mott Foundation letter of appreciation wooden plaque UA.2004.0042.0007 1978 January 12 Ohio State University Distinguished Achievements and Notable Service framed certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1970 December 18 Ohio Association of Classroom Teachers Distinguished Service Award framed certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1972 December 6 NEA Legislative Commission Certificate of Appreciation UA.2004.0042.0007 1960-1966 Agriculture Education Society honorary membership framed certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 undated State Board of Education framed resolution UA.2004.0042.0007 1977 March 15 National School Public Relations Association - Central Buckeye Chapter certificate of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0007 1967 March 10 American Association of School Administrators president certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1959-1960 Martin Essex with Ted Bell photograph UA.2004.0042.0007 undated Ohio Driver and Safety Education Association certificate of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0007 1976 February 26 State Board of Education of Ohio Commission as Superintendent certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1967 December 11 Central Ohio Alumnae Chapter Pi Lambda Theta Citation for Outstanding Service certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1977 April 4 Educational Council of Cuyahoga County education achievement certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 1968 March 21 Phi Alpha Theta Recognition UA.2004.0042.0007 1934 Joint Council on Economic Education citation of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0007 undated Bag of plastic hats UA.2004.0042.0007 undated Community Education Advisory Council honorary past member certificate UA.2004.0042.0007 undated Department of Health, Education & Welfare letter of appreciation UA.2004.0042.0007 1978 January Buckeye Association of School Administrators commendation of leadership UA.2004.0042.0008 1976 October Midwest program on Airborne Television Instruction, Inc. photograph UA.2004.0042.0008 1961-1968 Ohio PTA certificate of recognition UA.2004.0042.0008 1977 April The Ohio Vocational Association honorary life membership UA.2004.0042.0008 1986 July City of Ohio Proclamation UA.2004.0042.0008 1966 June 29 Buckeye Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi certificate of award UA.2004.0042.0008 1960 May 25 U.S. Savings Bond Program for patriotic service plaque UA.2004.0042.0008 1966-1968 State Board of Education resolution designating the "Martin W. Essex" Scholars UA.2004.0042.0008 undated Akron superintendents photograph UA.2004.0042.0008 1837-1966 National Education Association of the United Stares member, legislative commission UA.2004.0042.0008 1960-1966 Defense Construction Supply center "in appreciation of and gratitude for" plaque UA.2004.0042.0008 undated Administration building staff "with esteem and admiration" plaque UA.2004.0042.0008 1966 June 8 Ohio Department of Education appreciation letter UA.2004.0042.0009 1977 March Akron Board of Education appreciation document UA.2004.0042.0009 1966 June State of Louisiana Colonel of Staff certificate UA.2004.0042.0009 1966 November Akron Beacon Journal featuring Martin Essex on the cover UA.2004.0042.0009 1957 April 28 Accession Number UA.2004.0108 2.1 Cubic feet 1933-1988 (1) carton; (1) flat box Certificate for Executive Order of the Ohio Commodore, given by the Governor of Ohio UA.2004.0108.0001 1969 June 20 General note

Photos

 Drawing of appreciation given by Lakewood School Board UA.2004.0108.0001 1955 June 19 Cartoon Drawing of Dr. Martin Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph and small plaque of Dr. Essex (in folder) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated James R. Kirkpatrick Governmental Relations Award given by Ohio Council on Vocational Education UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: with President Lyndon B. Johnson (personally signed) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: presidential meeting room with President Carter UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: President Nixon and associates UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Certificate Award for membership in the Education Hall of Fame given by The Ohio State University College of Education UA.2004.0108.0001 1988 November 04 "Best Wishes" picture plaque given by Cabinet UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph of Dr. Essex and Certificate of Honorary Membership for Blanche Essex in Delta Kappa Gamma Society given UA.2004.0108.0001 1966 November 09 Certificate for Commission as Kentucky Colonel given by the Governor of Kentucky UA.2004.0108.0001 1966 June 01 Photograph: Dr. Essex (no paper framing) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: The Martin W. Essex School, Akron, Ohio UA.2004.0108.0001 undated School Slate: The Essex Years UA.2004.0108.0001 1977 March Certificate for crossing the International Date Line from the Pan American Airlines given to Blanche Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 1961 August 16 Resolution naming the "Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted" by the Ohio State Board of Education UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Certificate of Initiation into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society given to Blanche Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 1955 December 07 Photograph: Martin W. Essex Elementary School (with children) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: A Young Martin Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph: A Young Blanche Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Certificate of Appreciation given to Martin Essex by College of Education at the University of Akron UA.2004.0108.0001 1966 May 17 Resolution Commending Blanche D. Essex, given by the Ohio State Board of Education UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Diploma for Blanche Marie Davis (Essex) from Wilmington College UA.2004.0108.0001 1933 May 02 Photograph of Mrs. And Dr. Martin Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 1969 April 25 Photograph of Dr. Essex receiving award from Armed Forces UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph of a young Mrs. Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 undated School Slate: the Essex Years UA.2004.0108.0001 1977 March General note

(Extra folded copies)

 Photograph of Dr. Essex with Senator Mondale UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph of Dr. Essex speaking at the Sheraton in Cleveland UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph (Color) of Mrs. Blanche Essex in black dress UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Brochures (3) for Rotary Club of Columbus, in honor of Dr. Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 1975 January 20 Collage of Dr. Essex UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Photograph of Dr. Essex planting a tree UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Christmas Card from the White House (Nixon) UA.2004.0108.0001 1973 Newspaper Articles Featuring Dr. Essex (10) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Small photographs of Dr. Essex (22) UA.2004.0108.0001 undated Ohio PTA Oak Tree Award for Distinguished Service to Children and Youth UA.2004.0108.0002 1974 General note

Articles, Plaques

 Award Plate given by Minutemen Militia to "Major General" Essex UA.2004.0108.0002 1976 July 04 Cleveland Public School Pen Holder and Pen-Ohio Council on Vocational Education UA.2004.0108.0002 1985-1986 OVA Plaque for contribution to Adult Vocational Education in State of Ohio UA.2004.0108.0002 1985 April 19 The Ohio State University Centennial Achievement Award Plaque UA.2004.0108.0002 1970 December 18 Wilmington College Society of Friends plaque given to Blanche Essex UA.2004.0108.0002 undated NEA Pendent for "Past President" UA.2004.0108.0002 1959-1960 The Great Seal of the State of Ohio UA.2004.0108.0002 undated Central Education Network ITV Council Award UA.2004.0108.0002 1977 Glass Frame with Appreciation Cards to Blanche Essex for establishing the Blanche Davis Essex Endowed Scholarship UA.2004.0108.0002 undated Martine Essex Name Plaque from Japan UA.2004.0108.0002 undated Desk Plaque-National Congress of Parents and Teachers UA.2004.0108.0002 undated Ohio Shaped Plaque-Buckeye Hills Career Center UA.2004.0108.0002 1976 April 11 The Ohio Vocational Association honorary life membership to Martin Essex UA.2004.0108.0002 1986 July 19