Gust P. Rakus Hellenic Studies collection

Overview of the Collection

Creator

Rakus, Gust P., 1916-2003

Title

Gust P. Rakus Hellenic Studies collection

Quantity

4.16 cubic feet (5 boxes)

Collection Number

5543 (Accession No. 5543-001)

Summary

Collection of a foreign language teacher, primarily composed of AHEPA materials and family papers

Repository

University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu

Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

The photograph in box 5 is tightly rolled and cannot be viewed unless treated by conservation staff.

Languages

English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Gust Rakus (1916- 2003) was a Greek immigrant who came to the Pacific Northwest in 1933. He collected books, photographs, newsletters, and memorabilia of Greek Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Rakus graduated from the University of Washington in 1940 and began a career as an educator and foreign language teacher that spanned more than thirty years. He was active in the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the Greek Orthodox parish of Saint Demetrios.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The bulk of the materials relate to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) at national, district, chapter, and individual levels. The AHEPA National materials include reports, handbooks, minutes, programs, and promotional materials. AHEPA Firwood District #22 materials include bylaws, convention minutes and reports, convention programs, convention yearbooks, photographs, and other items. A small amount of material pertains directly to the AHEPA-Juan de Fuca Chapter #177 and also to the AHEPA-Gladstone Chapter. This collection also includes some AHEPA-related material derived from the papers of Nicolas Carras, Peter Conom, Gust Rakus, and Thomas Rakus; however, personal and family papers for Gust and Thomas Rakus are represented as well. Finally, the collection contains one folder of items relating to the establishment of the Hellenic Studies program at the University of Washington.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Preferred Citation

[Title of item], [date of item if known], [box/folder number], Gust P. Rakus Hellenic Studies Collection, 5543-001, University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged by originating organization or person.

Preservation Note

The photograph in box 5 is tightly rolled and cannot be viewed unless treated by conservation staff.

Custodial History

A portion of the material in this collection belonged to Peter Conom, whose wife gave it to Gust P. Rakus after Conom's death in 1985. Conom was twice the governor of AHEPA Firwood District #22.

After being donated to the University of Washington, some material was retained by Carol Thomas, faculty member of the History Department, for graduate student research and use in an exhibit; then, transferred to Special Collections.

Acquisition Information

Source: Tom Rakus, 2004

Carol G. Thomas, UW History Department, 2006

Processing Note

Minimally processed by Blynne Olivieri in 2008.

Separated Materials

Volumes 1 and 2 of theWashington Hellenic Review, a run of the serialAHEPA Mentor(1950-2004, incomplete), and the bookPantheon: Greek-American Bouquet of Americawere removed for separate cataloging.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s)	Description	Dates
Box
1	AHEPA - National Includes budgets, conference programs, handbooks (including" Secret Ritual Handbooks" from 1930 and 1960), newsletters, and other materials.	1940-2002, undated
1	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 - bylaws, budgets, conference files
2	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 - Convention Minutes/Reports	1952-2002
2	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 - Convention Programs	1948-1986
Box/Folder
3	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 - Convention Programs	1987-2002
3	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 - Convention Yearbooks	1962-1987
Box
4	AHEPA - Firwood District #22 Includes Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles, and Maids of Athens materials, including photographs, and other local AHEPA photographs.	circa 1935-1997
4	AHEPA - Juan de Fuca Chapter Includes newsletters, programs for "Installation of Officers" ceremonies, invitations, and pamphlets.
4	AHEPA - Gladstone Chapter - pamphlet
4	AHEPA - Nicholas Carras - photographs, clippings and documents
4	AHEPA - Peter Conom - Correspondence	1963-1972
4	AHEPA - Peter Conom - Clippings	1954-1968
4	AHEPA - Peter Conom - Papers	1959-1972
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Certificates of Merit	1967-2000
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Correspondence, Outgoing	1969-1991
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Correspondence, Incoming	1975-2000
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Correspondence, Circulated	1956-2002
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Writings	1977-1984, undated
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus - Clippings, newsletters, and miscellaneous
4	AHEPA - Gust P. Rakus -The Order of AHEPA, 1922-1972 Inscribed to Gust P. Rakus by his son, Thomas Rakus	April 23, 1976
4	AHEPA - Thomas Rakus - Correspondence	1997-2002
4	AHEPA - Thomas Rakus -Greek Americans: Struggle and Success Inscribed to Tom Rakus from author, Charles C. Moskos	May 1999
4	Rakus Family - Personal Papers	1977-1984, undated
4	Rakus Family - Farm Photographs	undated
4	Rakus Family Photographs	undated
4	Hellenic Studies Program at the University of Washington
box:oversize
5	AHEPA - Oversize rolled photograph	undated
5	AHEPA - Plaque presented to the Daughters of Penelope by CARE	May 1986
5	AHEPA - artifacts: buttons, nametags, crafts

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