Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Franklin Leonard Shipman Scrapbook (RG 62.0054), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

Biographical Note

Franklin Leonard Shipman was born on December 19, 1906 in Ohio. He graduated with a Bachelors of Law degree from Washington and Lee in 1930. He died on January 30, 1973.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains a scrapbook make by Franklin Leonard Shipman between 1924-1930. The front cover of the scrapbook has the name "Mark Kelly, '29" embossed on it, but the interior pages are specific to Shipman. Also embossed on the front cover are the Greek letters for the fraternity Beta Theta Pi.

Shipman's scrapbook includes clippings, ephemera, and photographs. The earliest portions contain ephemeral items related to athletics and the Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Miami University in Ohio. There are photographs in the that were taken at Miami University, too. Thereafter, the scrapbook pages are primarily specific to Washington and Lee University. Subjects include proms, Finals week, Fancy Dress, Alpha Rho Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, dance and date card books, photos of the Troubadours (including one featuring male students dressed as women), football (including two souvenir programs), and commencement (1930). Of particular note is a W&L-branded cigarette package that was flattened and adhered to a scrapbook page. Photographs include Beta Theta Pi members across different years, campus buildings,, students, VMI, W&L Crew/Rowing on the North River, interior shots of the Chapel, interiors of the fraternity house and a student's room, the athletic field showing the Wilson Field Bridge, and inside the gym that appears to be decorated for a ball. Also in the scrapbook is what appears to be a metal license plate for 1929-1930 that is specific to Washington and Lee.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Beta Theta Pi. Alpha Rho Chapter (Washington and Lee University)
• College Students -- Social life and customs
• Washington and Lee University--Alumni and alumnae