MS-259 Richard Allaman Papers

Introduction

The papers of Richard Allaman were accessioned into the Department of Archives and Special Collections on December 9, 1994.

Papers in the collection fall into 9 series as follows:

• Series 1: Ormsby Village 1951-1954
• Series 2: Shawen Acres 1946-1970
• Series 3: Montgomery County Child Welfare Board 1929-1983
• Series 4: Ohio Welfare Conference 1891-1969
• Series 5: National Probation and Parole Association 1947-1954
• Series 6: Child Welfare League of America 1945-1968
• Series 7: Published Works 1945-1960
• Series 8: Professional Associations 1943-1965
• Series 9: Miscellaneous 1943-1966

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Brief Biographical Sketch

Richard Allaman was an active and prominent figure in the field of children's' social services during a career that spanned almost fifty years. After he received his B.A. in the majors Social Science,-English, and Greek from Otterbein University in 1933, he came to Dayton to work at the Montgomery County Relief Administration until his promotion to youth probation officer, a post he held until 1940. From 1941 until 1943, he worked as a caseworker for the Children's Bureau of Dayton. In 1944 he went to Columbus, Ohio to serve as a Research Sociologist and administrative assistant at the State Bureau of Juvenile Research. While in Columbus, he received his masters in Social Administration from the Ohio State University. Alter graduation he returned to Dayton to serve as Superintendent for the Montgomery County Juvenile Court, until he left that post in 1951 to take over as director of the Louisville and Jefferson County Children's Home in Louisville, Ky. Although the Allamans were happy at Ormsby Village, they missed Dayton, and they returned in 1954, when Mr. Allaman assumed the post of Superintendent of Shawen Acres, a post he held until poor health forced him to retire in 1968. Nationally, Mr. Allaman had several of his articles published by professional associations, and on numerous occasions Mr. Allaman was asked to speak at national conferences in his field of occupation.

Scope and Content Note

The Richard Allaman collection consists of various personal items and papers which belonged to and were donated by Richard Allaman himself. The collection is made up of correspondence, newspaper clippings, financial records, photographs, and numerous publications. The collection provides insight not only into the personal life and career of Richard Allaman, but also serves as a good study of the change in the role of the social worker over a fifty year time period.

Series 1, Ormsby Village 1951-1954, contains financial records, daily records, personnel practices, publications, and photos relating to the Louisville and Jefferson County Children's Home.

Series 2, Shawen Acres 1946-1970, contains case notes, personnel practices, daily routines, and photos pertaining to the Montgomery County Children's Home.

Series 3, Montgomery County Child Welfare Board 1929-1983, contains budget reports, personnel records, staff notes, case material, and notes from various board projects.

Series 4, Ohio Welfare Conference 1891-1969, contains a history of the organization spanning the dates 1891-1965, and conference programs from 1947-1969.

Series 5, National Probation and Parole Association 1947-1954, contains correspondence, programs, and conference material.

Series 6, Child Welfare League of America 1945-1968, contains articles published by Richard Allaman for the CWLA correspondence, and CWLA reports.

Series 7, Published Works 1945-1960, contains various articles and speeches written by Richard Allaman.

Series 8, Professional Associations 1943-1965, contains correspondence, programs, and publications from the numerous professional groups that Allaman was associated with.

Series 9, Miscellaneous 1943-1966, contains correspondence, class projects, awards, and other items of a more personal nature.

SERIES 1 ORMSBY VILLAGE 1951-1954

SERIES 2 SHAWEN ACRES 1946-1970

 SERIES 3 MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD 1929-1983

SERIES 4 OHIO WELFARE CONFERENCE 1891-1969

 SERIES 5 NATIONAL PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION 1947-1954

SERIES 6 CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 1945-1968

SERIES 7 PUBLISHED WORKS 1945-1960

SERIES 8 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS 1943-1965

SERIES 9 MISCELLANEOUS 1943-1966