HTM_WCMss351.xml Guide to the John Prentice Allen Papers Allen (John Prentice) Papers Bill Huntington Whitman College and Northwest Archives 2014
345 Boyer Avenue Walla Walla, WA 99362 Business Number: 509-527-5922 Archives@whitman.edu https://library.whitman.edu/archives/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-10-27. Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. 2019 Edited by Zoe Henderson for compliance with DACS and WCNA Required Elements for Archival Description. Whitman College and Northwest Archives John Prentice Allen Papers Allen, John Prentice WCMss.351 10 linear feet 9 record cartons, 3 manuscript boxes 1918-1992 1930s-1970s The John Prentice Allen Paper, which date from 1930 to 1979, contains correspondence, travel brochures and concert programs, work-related records, and documents relating to military service. Collection is in English and Japanese.

Collection is open for research.

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives between 1985 and 1992 by John P. Allen. The accession number associated with this donation is Retro-0759.

John Prentice Allen was born November 26, 1918, in Seattle, Washington to Rudolph and Anna Farrar Allen. He attended schools in Seattle and Aberdeen, Washington and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1936. He attended Whitman College, the University of Hawaii at Honolulu, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the University of Kentucky at Lexington. He was a clerical worker at Whitman College from 1946 to 1950. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, and in 1952 received a master's degree in librarianship from the University of Washington. John also served during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a Japanese language officer. He was a librarian at Central Washington University in Ellensburg between 1952 and 1965, when he moved to Washington State University. He retired in 1981. He was a co-owner of the Hilltop Restaurant and Motel at Pullman. He died June 25, 1991.

The John Prentice Allen Papers includes correspondence between John and his parents and friends, and material describing travel and entertainment experiences. This collection, which dates from 1930 through 1979, also holds records of his career in library administration, genealogical materials relating to his family, and Japanese language materials relating to his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

 Allen, Rudolph Gregory Allen, Anna Farrar Whitman College Librarians World War, 1939-1945 Correspondence 1 1932-1989 English.

The majority of this series is correspondence between Allen and his parents, Rudolph and Anna.

 Letters from Allen's mother Anna "Muddie" Farrar Allen 1945 1 10 Letters from Allen's mother Anna "Muddie" Farrar Allen 1945 1 11

Includes two letters Allen wrote to his parents in 1934

 Letters from Allen's mother Anna "Muddie" Farrar Allen 1944 1 12 Letters from Allen's mother Anna "Muddie" Farrar Allen 1944 1 13 Letters from Allen's father Rudolph Allen 1942-1949 1 14 Letters from Allen's friend "Fritz" from Germany 1934-1938 1 15 Correspondence from relatives circa 1932-1946 1 16 Correspondence from family and friends circa 1940-1945 1 17 Correspondence with mother, Anna Allen 1941-1947 1 18 Letters from mother, Anna Allen 1947 1 19 Letters from mother, Anna Allen 1948 1 20 Letters from mother, Anna Allen 1950 1 21 Family correspondence 1952-1955 1 22 Correspondence, family and friends circa 1945-1955 2 1 Correspondence: Family and friends 1947-1948 2 8 Family correspondence 1942 3 8 Family correspondence 1943 3 9 Correspondence between Allen and Whitman College and some academic documents circa 1941-1951 4 4 Family correspondence 1952-1959 5 1 Correspondence relating to employment 1947-1950 English. 4 2 Correspondence with friends and associates 1949-1950 English. 4 3 Rudolph Allen correspondence 1959-1969 7 24 Family correspondence and postcards (3 folders) circa 1960s-1980s English. 7 1-3 Correspondence re: Allen bequest to Whitman College 1989 English. 7 8 ACLU correspondence 1976 English. 7 9 Get well cards for Rudolph Allen following an accident (2 folders) 1969 English. 10 1-2 Correspondence with parents and friends circa 1960s English. 10 7 Family correspondence 1969-1970 English. 10 12 Correspondence between Allen and friends Various English. 10 13 Correspondence received by Allen during illness 1932 English. 10 14 Miscellaneous correspondence circa 1945-1949 English. 10 19 Holiday greeting cards Undated 1 4 Scrapbook of post cards Undated 3 1 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1939 English. 10 29 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1940 English. 10 30 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1941 English. 10 31 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1942 English. 10 32 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1943 English. 10 33 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1944 English. 10 34 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1944 English. 10 35 Correspondence between John Allen and parents 1945-1949 English. 10 36 Correspondence 1938-1947 14 2 Educational and employment materials 2 1919-1965 English.

Materials relating to John Allen's educational career, including high school and college yearbooks and a draft of his master thesis from the University of Washington. Records from his library career at Central Washington State and Washington State Universities are included.

 Seattle Public Schools Special Certificate in Music 1928-1930 1 2 Seattle Public Library Vacation Reading Club 1931 1 3 Certificates of Advancement in schools and report cards circa 1928 1 6 Cradle roll certificates Seattle First Baptist Sunday School 1919 1 8 Roosevelt High School graduation announcement 1936 3 5 Roosevelt High School yearbooks 1933-1936 5 The Hyakem, Central Washington College of Education yearbooks 1956-1958 5 The Hyakem, Central Washington University yearbooks 1958, 1965 English. 7 Draft of Allen's Master of Librarianship thesis 1952 English. 11 3 Bibliography of Lectures delivered at Oxford University 1952 English. 7 6 "The Introduction and Development of Writing in Japan", a paper by John P. Allen 1950 English. 7 7 University of Washington Library School materials (3 folders) circa 1952 English. 6 4-6 Diplomas from University of Washington 1952 English. 10 7 Colorado University Sigma Chi information 1948-1949 English. 10 13 Seattle public school records 1932-1936 English. 10 20 U. of Washington library program documents and employment letters 1952 10 13 Application for Rhodes Scholarship 1947 English. 10 16 Japanese learning materials, Naval certificate in Japanese 1944 14 1 Travel and entertainment materials 3 1906-1982 English.

Travel brochures, concert programs, events, scrapbooks of travel

 Concert program Central Washington College of Education January 29, 1958 1 5 Central Washington College Commencement programs 1953-1959 2 4 Travel brochures and receipts Various 2 7 Ellensburg sports car rally 1957-1958 2 9 Map of Alaska (Alaska Steamship Company) Undated 2 10 Musical and theatre programs Undated 3 4 Concert and theatre programs circa 1930s-1940sUndated 4 2 Church service programs circa 1930s-1940s English. 1 1 Travel tickets and receipts Undated 4 3 Ship passenger rate sheets 1906 6 14 Lions Club Quartet scrapbook of Rudolph Allen circa 1926 6 11 Enchanters Quartet photographs and publicity (Rudolph Allen) 1929 6 15 Chinese restaurant menu Undated 6 17 John Allen passport and travel information circa 1980 7 27 Travel itinerary and brochures 1982 English. 9 8 Travel log 1969 English. 7 10 Travel itinerary and brochures 1982 10 11 Personal items, family memorabilia, and genealogical materials 4 1857-1990 English. Ancestors and descendants of Benjamin Gregory and Abigail Starr Sanford 1951 1 4 1 Service award American Red Cross (Mrs. Rudolph Gregory Allen) Undated 1 7 Pencil drawing of nude Undated 1 9 Bill receipts Various 2 2 Musical score books Undated 2 3 Simplified Swedish Grammar by Edwin Vickner Undated 2 5 Genealogical chart showing ancestry of Anna Clough Farrar Undated 1 Financial records, bank, investments Undated 2 11 Expense ledger 1937-1938 3 Newspaper clippings, random circa 1940s 3 2 Two photographs of Allen; Librarians of CES 1936, 1954 3 6 Certificate of membership Longfellow Society Undated 4 9 Diary 1934-1935 4 10 University of Washington academic papers 1948-1952 4 6 Income and tax information 1940-1942 4 7 Music manuscripts circa 1932 4 8 Here and There in United States History, by John Dukes McKee 1956 English. 4 4

United States map.

 Ellensburg Telephone Co. receipts 1956-1957 English. 4 5 Postcards Undated English. 4 6 National Bank of Washington statements 1958 English. 4 7 Stenotype instruction materials Undated English. 1 8 Boy Scout First Aid Kit Undated 5 Two boxes matchbook collection and miscellaneous collectibles Undated 5 Copy of New York Herald (Lincoln assassination) April 15, 1865 English. 5 1 Copy of New York Chronicle October 17, 1857 English. 5 2 Milwaukee Monthly Magazine July 1874 and November 1874 English. 5 3 Little Corporal, vol. XX, no.2 February 1875 English. 5 4 Rudolph Allen obituary, memorial book and other memorabilia of Hawaii trip 1969 English. 5 5 Letter to Pullman mayor re property dispute March 15, 1977 English. 5 6 Central Washington State College library correspondence (3 files) circa 1950-1960s English. 10 7-9 American Civil Liberties Union celebration program December 12, 1981 English. 5 10 Hugh Johnson's Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine 1977 6 12 The Oxford Self-Pronouncing Bible (gift to John Allen in 1935) 1897 6 Holy Bible (S.S. Teacher's edition) - Inscribed to Mary J. Clough 1891 6 Manuscript - "The Destiny of Personality" by Allan Alden McRea 1921 6 Since Spindletop: A Human story of Gulf's first half-century by Craig Thompson 1952 6 Graduation and wedding announcements Various 6 18 Papers relating to the estate of Anna Allen 1978 English. 6 1 Memorial service for Anna Allen 1977 English. 6 2 Roosevelt High School 50th reunion files 1986 7 19 John P. Allen retirement documents 1981 7 22 S.W. Willard & Co. re: postage stamp collection 1990 English. 7 23 Rudolph Allen certificate for service May 17, 1968 7 25 Genealogical chart - Clough and Farrar families, Society of Colonial Dames Undated English. 1 26 Anna Farrar Allen diaries, journals, correspondence, and travel brochures Various 8 Rotary Club Pictorial History, University District, Seattle 1939-1968 English. 9 Daily Reminder 1943 English. 9 Correspondence re: Allen's bequest to Whitman College February 15-17, 1989 9 8 Baby book of John Allen including photo with mother 1919 English. 7 11 Documents pertaining to sale of property in Kittitas County, Washington 1965 English. 7 12 Marriage certificate, invitation to wedding of Anna Farrar and Rudolph Allen 1917 English. 7 13 Marriage certificate of John P. Farrar and Florence B. Clough 1890 English. 7 14 World War I medallion and other keepsakes of Anna Farrar "Muddie" Allen Undated English. 7 15 Small box with announcements of John Allen's birth and congratulatory cards 1918 9 Miscellaneous diaries of Allen and Farrar families Various 10 J.P. Farrar passport (in small box) Undated 10 Ledger book of investment transactions Undated 10 Two framed photographs of John P. Allen in military dress circa 1940s 10 Inventory of Rudolph Allen's art work Undated English. 9 12 "Highlights of European Beer Industry" by Quentin J. Talbot (manuscript) May 12, 1958 10 14 Slide rule Undated 10 Post Cards and envelopes (empty) probably saved for Allen's stamp hobby Various English. 10 3 "A Tribute to Mother" pamphlet by F.D. van Amburgh (contains photos of John Allen's mother "Muddie" 1923 English. 10 4 Holiday greeting cards Various 11 5 Boy Scout and Cub Scout badges circa 1930s English. 10 6 Map and addresses of movie star homes Undated English. 10 8 Birthday and other greeting cards Various English. 10 9 Sympathy notes and cards upon the death of Rudolph Allen 1969 English. 10 11 Banking records circa 1960s English. 10 16 Honda 450 motorcycle owners manual Undated English. 10 17 Anna Farrar "My Commencement" memorabilia from school in Colorado circa 1900 12 Pocket-size books: Book of Common Prayer, Japanese-English dictionaries, New Testament, "The Fairy Album", Undated 12 Biographical sketch of Bradley Tillinghast and other family genealogical materials of Anna Farrar Allen. (2 folders) Undated English. 11 1-2 "Stuff and Junk" collected by J.P.A., humorous limericks and poems Undated English. 10 8 Calling cards and various forms of identification Undated English. 10 9 Certified copies of birth certificate John P. Allen November 26, 1918 English. 10 11 Telegrams circa 1950 English. 10 12 Mutual Life Insurance Co. correspondence 1939 English. 10 15 Papers regarding purchase of 1940 Chevrolet 1941 English. 10 17 Musical programs and newspaper clippings 1947 English. 10 18 University National Bank records circa 1950 English. 10 21 Snapshots of John Allen circa 1940s English. 10 22 University of Washington Daily newspaper May 2, 1950 English. 10 23 Social Security receipts 1937-1940 English. 10 24 Insurance documents 1952 English. 10 25 Photographs of construction project at University of Washington 1961 English. 10 26 Jokes and humorous stories Undated English. 10 27 Descriptive depictions of sexual intercourse Undated English. 10 28 Poetry and erotica found in a box with John Prentice Allen papers (authorship unconfirmed) undated 14 3 Materials related to employment, business, and military service 5 1940-1980 English.

Some material included in this series is foreign language material relating to Allen's work in the military translating Japanese.

 Naval communication bulletin January 1951 2 6 Kaigun Tokuhon (The Navy Reader) circa 1940 2 Japanese Military and Technical Terms pamphlets circa 1940 2 Gleanings from the Book of Books, by Alfred Irving Ludlow, translated into Korean Undated 3 1 Lessons in Shoso (Japanese language text) 1943 3 3 Three spiral notebooks (appear to be shorthand) Undated 3 7 Navy materials (maps, language studies) circa 1940 4 4 Three Japanese vocabulary books circa 1940 5 Humorous work-related materials circa 1960s English. 6 3 Hilltop Development Corporation Documents (2 folders) circa 1980s English. 7 4-5 Internal memos and personnel correspondence, WSU library (multiple folders) circa 1970s English. 6 1-8 Newspaper article from Pullman, WA on WSU faculty collective bargaining plan Undated English. 9 9 John P. Allen employment documents Various English. 9 10 John Allen military papers (Navy) circa 1940s English. 11 14 Employment memos and correspondence at Whitman College 1946-1950 English. 10 10 Scrapbook English. 13