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- Source of title proper: Title based on the creator of the fonds.
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1887-2009 (Creation)
- Creator
- Rahmel, Fern
Physical description area
Physical description
70 cm of textual records
ca. 750 photographs
Publisher's series area
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Fern Alma Rahmel was born in Peterborough in 1914. She attended Peterborough Normal School in 1932-1933 and was editor of the 1932-1933 year book. She taught in elementary and later secondary schools. In 1970 she had been a Peterborough teacher for 20 years with the English Department of the Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School (PCVS). She was Department Head before she retired. She was also assistant to Gwyn Kinsey, editor of Saturday Night. She was an active participant in theatre and writing. Fern aided Robertson Davies in research while he was editor of the Peterborough Examiner. She wrote children's educational radio plays for CBC. In the 1970 Spring Convocation, Trent University awarded her a honorary Doctor of Laws degree. She was a sustaining member of the Friends of the Bata Library and had been since its inception. She gave talks to the Peterborough Historical Society and published an occasional paper on F.M. de la Fosse, Peterborough's first librarian. Fern Rahmel died 28 November 2009.
Custodial history
Fonds was in the custody of the Fern Rahmel estate before it was donated to Trent University via Lois Davidson.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of diaries, photographs, correspondence, certificates, play scripts and playbills, research material, speeches, short stories, reviews and critiques, genealogies, newspaper clippings and greeting cards related to the life of Fern Rahmel. Also included is a panoramic photograph entitled Sirmilik Hoodoos Panorama by Dr. Roberta Bondar, framed and presented to Rahmel by Trent University.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
This fonds was acquired via Lois Davidson in 2010. Additional material received via Lois Davidson September 2010 and interfiled.
Arrangement
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Script of material
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None
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Associated materials
Accruals
This fonds, along with 94-005, 97-1020, and 98-006, is an addition to 88-003.
General note
The framed panoramic photograph is located in the Large Materials Cabinet - Drawer 48.
General note
Box 1
Folder
- Miscellaneous pamphlets, etc.
- Scrapbook of playbills and newspaper clippings related to Rahmel's theatre productions, 1947-1972; also miscellaneous newspaper clippings
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates of family members and friends, 1887-1948
- Obituaries, funeral programs, & related newspaper clippings, 1952-1999; 2009
- Loomis family history: notebook, newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, 1909-1910; 1919; 1952
- Loomis family genealogy: family tree, correspondence, 1994
- Ernest W. Rahmel (father) employment documents, i.e. Canadian General Electric (includes 25 years service certificate located on top of box); Pembroke Machining Company
- Paper entitled "Tales out of School" by Rahmel, ca. 197?
- Teaching certificates, contracts, related correspondence, 1927-1972
- Trent University honorary degree: correspondence, citation, convocation program, newspaper clippings, press release, certificate (located on top of box), 1969-1972
- Correspondence, 1947-2003
- Greeting cards: congratulatory cards re honorary degree and retirement, etc.
- Correspondence: congratulatory letters re honorary degree and retirement
- King George School (Peterborough) reunion: correspondence, class photographs (copies), graduate lists, newspaper clipping, 1998
- Park Street Baptist Church Women's Baptist Society: programs and pamphlets, correspondence, membership certificate, 1945-1979
- Robertson Davies: correspondence, invitations, newspaper clippings, photograph of Davies's daughter and grandchildren, 1948-2001
16a. Margaret Laurence: newspaper clippings, letter to Rahmel from Laurence (1972) - note: the letter was received in the Archives loosely inserted inside Rahmel's copy of The Stone Angel by Laurence- see Trent Collection PS8523 .A77 S8 1968B - Articles by Rahmel written for Saturday Night and Peterborough Examiner: typescripts and clippings, 1948-1967
- Theatre Guild: research material, notes, and script for "Murder in the Cathedral," 1973
- Theatre Guild: photograph, playbill, copy of play script with stage directions and notations for "A Sleep of Prisoners," June 1966
- Theatre Guild: miscellaneous: correspondence, newspaper clippings, cards, program, budget, 1966-1981
- Play scripts, undated
- Shakespeare Club: papers by Rahmel delivered at Club meetings; includes newspaper and magazine clippings, notes, correspondence, 1954-2002
- Canadian Rose Society: speech with notes and drawings delivered by Rahmel at annual meeting; also ribbons received for prize-winning roses; correspondence, 1997-1998
- Speeches by Rahmel delivered at Women's Institute: note cards, speech, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, 1968-1971
- University Women's Club (Peterborough): speeches delivered by Rahmel, correspondence, certificate of recognition, newspaper clippings, program, 1937-2005; also 2 booklets: "Annus Aureus mcmlxxxvii: The Golden Year 1987: A History of the University Women's Club of Peterborough, Ontario 1937-1987"; "Forty Years On: Being a History of the University Women's Club of Peterborough 1937-1977"
- Speech by Rahmel re Christopher Fry; includes research material, 1950-1951
- Grammar and composition reports/papers for the "Toronto seminar," 1965
- F.M. de la Fosse: paper re de la Fosse by Rahmel, also published edition, program, newspaper clippings, correspondence, 1994-2002
- Reviews/critiques by Rahmel of plays by James Reaney, Arnold Wesker, Shelagh Delaney, T.S. Eliot; includes copy of Reaney's play "The Kildeer", n.d.
- Short stories by Rahmel
Box 2
Folder
- Photographs of Rahmel (includes a painting or tinted photograph of Rahmel as a child)
- Photographs of family and friends
- Photographs of Loomis family
On top of box: one out-sized photograph
Loose in box
3 photograph albums
23 diaries, 1946-2007
1 plaque: Audio Library Trent University Volunteer of the Year, 1975
Certificate of appreciation from Peterborough Public Library, 1983 (rolled)
Certificate of Recognition from Kiwanis International, Peterborough Kiwanis Music Festival, 1999
Certificate: Summer Radio Institute, Queen's University, for courses completed in summer 1945
Loose on shelf
Photograph album
Family Bible (contains genealogical information)
Large Materials Cabinet - Drawer 48:
Panoramic photograph entitled Sirmilik Hoodoos Panorama by Dr. Roberta Bondar, framed and "presented to Fern A. Rahmel in recognition of her generous support, leadership and commitment to Trent University, June, 2005"