Summary |
|
| Creator: | Geary, Albert. |
| Title: | Albert Geary Papers |
| Dates: | 1939-1947 |
| Size: | 2.75 linear feet |
| Abstract: | Materials related to Albert Geary's experience as an undergraduate student at Syracuse University |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Biography
Albert Geary (d. 1984) graduated from Syracuse University in 1947 with a dual degree in music education from the College of Fine Arts and School of Education. Geary came to Syracuse University in the fall of 1939 as an accomplished trombonist, having won the Pennsylvania state competition for best trombonist earlier that year. His musical ability quickly gained him recognition on campus, and he was inducted into Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a men's music honor society, in his freshman year. During his first three years on campus, Geary played trombone in the Syracuse University Symphony Orchestra and the Varsity Band at athletic events. He also sang in the Syracuse University Choir and was inducted into Kappa Phi Kappa, a professional fraternity for education students.
At the end of his junior year, Geary was drafted into the United States Air Force and
served in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to Syracuse University in 1946
for his senior year and graduated the following spring. After graduation, Geary taught
music at a few different school districts in the northeast before he was called back to
active duty for the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1971.
Following his military retirement, Geary served as a liaison officer for the Air Force
Academy and went on to earn a master's degree in education from Lehigh University in
1959. He taught music at South Mountain Junior High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania
for 24 years.
Scope and Content Note
The Albert Geary Papers contain materials from Geary's experience as an undergraduate student at Syracuse University in the late 1930s and early 1940s. As Geary was an accomplished musician on campus, a portion of the collection is related to the musical events and societies on campus at that time. The collection is divided into the following series:
Memorabilia contains mostly Syracuse University-specific garments that Geary owned, like his freshman beanie and a Syracuse University band sweater.
Papers consists of materials that Geary collected or created while at Syracuse University. For example, this series includes a scrapbook Geary created for an assignment that contains plans for a class production of Arthur Sullivan's opera Trial by Jury.
Photographs consists of an assortment of photographs detailing student life at the time. There are pictures of Geary and his family, commencement events, and campus buildings, among other things. This series also contains photographs Geary took of the Archbold Gymnasium fire in 1947.
Printed Materials contains a variety of materials that Geary collected while a student on campus, like two songbooks for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an assortment of programs from various musical events hosted on campus. Geary himself performed at many of these events. There are also postcards depicting buildings on the Syracuse University campus and other locations in Syracuse, New York.
Items in this collection are presented for their historic and research value. We note that viewers may find some content objectionable.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
Clippings on Albert Geary were separated from the collection and used to create his clipping file. Clippings related to the Archbold Gymnasium fire were pulled and added to the respective clipping file.
The University Archives holds a clipping file on Albert Geary.
Additional materials related to campus musical events and societies can be found in the Syracuse University Student Activities Music Collection.
More photographs of student activities and campus buildings can be found in the Syracuse University Photograph Collection.
More postcards depicting Syracuse University and other areas in Syracuse, New York can be found in the Syracuse University Postcard Collection.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Types of material
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Albert Geary Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Gift of Melody Geary DiStefano in 2020.
Processing Information
Photographs were placed in Mylar sleeves and all materials were placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Loose scrapbook enclosures were placed in a separate folder.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Emily Banach
Date: 2021
Revision history:
Inventory
| Memorabilia | |||||||||||
| Oversize 1 | Freshman beanie 1939 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Patches undated | ||||||||||
| Oversize 1 | University band sweater undated | ||||||||||
| Papers | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Commencement instructions 1947 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Expense book circa 1939-1947 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Kappa Phi Kappa induction materials 1941 | ||||||||||
| Oversize 2 | Scrapbook circa 1939-1947 | ||||||||||
| Photographs | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Photographs 1939-1947 | ||||||||||
| Oversize 2 | Syracuse University Choir photograph 1939 | ||||||||||
| Printed Materials | |||||||||||
| Box 1 | Phi Mu Alpha songbooks undated | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Postcards undated | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Programs 1939-1947 | ||||||||||
| Box 1 | Syracuse University bulletin 1940 | ||||||||||