Finding Aid of the Mervin Lane Manuscripts, 1987-1989, PC.1790

scopecontent:

The typewritten progression of the manuscript is revealed in five manuscript drafts (boxes 1-5); box 6 contains final proofs.

scopecontent:

These four boxes contain correspondence and press cuttings used in, or relating to, preparation of the manuscript for the book. With the exception of , , , , and , there are files for the ninety contributors represented in .

Most of the folders include correspondence with Mervin Lane regarding their contribution to the book, and autobiographical sketch prepared by each writer, some of them commenting upon their special experience at Black Mountain College, and later professional achievements. The final addition to each folder is the edited contribution of each author.

There is a substantial amount of information regarding life at Black Mountain in these correspondence files. Many of the contributors comment upon the influence that BMC has had upon their lives, the emotionally challenging and demanding aspects of their student life, and the sexually unrestricted aspects of the communal atmosphere.

Numerous comments are made about the teaching style and classes of art instructor , especially in the files of , and ; dancer and his involvement with BMC is discussed by and ; sexual freedom and communal life are discussed by , , , and ; the musical concerts are discussed by ; as a major influence upon students is related by , , and ; , founder of BMC, is discussed by F. A. Foster, Ike Nakata, , , and ; the accidental drowning of BMC student is recalled by Ike Nakata, and Nacke's sister, Marian Teeter; the artistic life of the College is described by Elizabeth Jennerjahn, and ; examines the austere lifestyle of the students and the visits of personalities such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Agnes de Mille; Anne Mangold's refutation of former works on Black Mountain are told from the perspective of a faculty wife during the turbulent years of BMC founder John Rice; former faculty member comments upon his life after BMC, and details the accidental deaths of both of his sons; artist 's file includes an article on his ownership of the famous San Francisco bar, , which helped to found the generation in the 1950s; Judd Woldin writes about the death of music instructor ; the material from May Sarton is reprinted from one of her published works, and her note comments upon the lasting influence of Black Mountain upon her writing; Albert Einstein's possible affiliation with Black Mountain College is discussed by John Reiss and .

Because numerous BMC students went on to acheive success as professional artists, these boxes of correspondence include numerous brochures and exhibition guides for artists , Leo Krikorian, , Elizabeth and , John Urbain, and Mary and Joe Fiore. Author includes a brochure of his published writing, and F. A. Foster includes a copy of his work,

Photographs of several contributors are included, and they are located in the individual files of , , , , Phyllis Thomas, and John Urbain.

scopecontent:

Although declining to offer a written contribution to , numerous individuals comment upon their experiences while attending Black Mountain College. The correspondence files for non-contributors are arranged in three chronological files, one file containing undated correspondence, and one file from unidentified correspondents.

comments upon the sexual freedom of the College, and in particular upon John Rice's controversial relationship with a female student, and the resulting conflict with faculty members; 's letter of includes an exhibition catalogue of his architecture and his letter of includes notes on Design and Color which he took in Josef Albers' art class during the summer of ; 's correspondence of includes photocopies of sketches she made of and while a student at Black Mountain College.