Helen G. Kinsella Collection

Dates: 1905-1966, undated (bulk dates, 1950-1965)
Size: 2.5 linear feet in 4 boxes, includes 70 photographs
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Collection Number: nnhc.hgk
Immediate Source of Acquisition: Donated by Reverend George A. Rice of Addison Street Congregational Church.
Conditions Governing Access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Preferred citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Helen G. Kinsella Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library
Finding Aid Author: Original author unknown. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Allyson Smally, 2021.

Abstract

Helen G. Kinsella was a teacher in Chicago for over 50 years, including 30 years teaching drama and public speaking at Lake View High School. This collection documents her career and work. It includes photographs of dramatic productions and student activities at Lake View High School.

Biographical/Historical

Helen G. Kinsella was a teacher in Chicago for over 50 years. She was born in May 1891 and was involved with theater from a young age. Kinsella taught drama and public speaking in the English Department of Lake View High School from 1931-1961 and also served as department chair. She was a graduate of DePaul University and was active with the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae. She died in Chicago in November 1971.

Scope and Contents

The Helen G. Kinsella Collection consists mostly of material Kinsella used in her role as a drama and public speaking teacher at Lake View High School. It includes scripts for plays and radio broadcasts, sheet music, a scrapbook, and a small amount of writings and poetry. It also contains photographs, mostly of student drama productions and activities.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 8 series:

Series 1: General Historical Files, 1931-1966, undated

Series 2: Plays, 1942-1960, undated

Series 3: Poetry, undated

Series 4: Radio Broadcasts and Workshops, 1952-1953, undated

Series 5: Scrapbook, 1954-1955

Series 6: Songbooks & Sheet Music, 1905-1956

Series 7: Writings, 1952-1965, undated

Series 8: Photographs, 1939-1960, undated

Related Collections

Lake View High School Collection

Subject Headings

  • Kinsella, Helen G. — Photographs.
  • Lake View High School (Chicago, Ill.) — Students — Photographs.
  • College and School Drama, American — Illinois — Chicago — Photographs.
  • High School Student Activities — Illinois — Chicago — Photographs.

Collection Inventory

Series 1: General Historical files, 1931-1966, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence, news clippings, awards, programs, a teaching manual, and publications, mostly related to Helen Kinsella's work as a teacher at Lake View High School or professional organizations she was active in.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 1 Folder 1 Awards, American Legion Citation of Merit, 1957
Box 1 Folder 2 Awards, Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Association, Citation of Recognition, 1966
  Oversize Awards, Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation Classroom Teachers Award, 1959 [see oversize material]
Box 1 Folder 3 Correspondence, 1950-1966
Box 1 Folder 4 George Washington Bicentennial Commission, publications, 1931-1932
Box 1 Folder 5 Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Service program and news release, 1966
Box 1 Folder 6 International Federation of Catholic Alumnae, Saint Xavier College, correspondence, 1963
Box 1 Folder 7 Military order of the Purple Heart, correspondence and brochures, 1954
Box 1 Folder 8 News clippings, Lake View High School students and student productions, 1939-1953 [photocopies]
Box 1 Folder 9 News clippings, Lake View High School television in the classroom pilot program, 1945
Box 1 Folder 10 Radio workshop teaching manual, undated

Series 2: Plays, 1942-1960, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains scripts of plays that were written or directed by Helen Kinsella or one of her students during her tenure at Lake View High School. Many are undated.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 1 Folder 11 Always A Santa, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 12 Arms Entwined, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 13 Behold I Come: A Christmas Pageant, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 14 The Best Four Years of Our Lives, or The Tradition Assembly, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 15 The Christmas Guest, script, 1951
Box 1 Folder 16 Christmas Play, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 17 [A Christmas Play], untitled, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 18 Cinderella & Prince Firechief’s Masquerade Ball, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 19 Class DayJune 1951, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 20 Class Day Program, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 21 Compassionate Patriot: AVeterans’ Day Program Honoring Lucille Pepoon, Army Nurse, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 22 The Cremation of Sam McGee, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 23 Freedom’s Pledge, by John Sabato Insolato, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 24 Grads’ and Dads’ Night - 75th Anniversary skit, script, circa 1949
Box 1 Folder 25 Great Composers: Six Radio Dramatizations, selected by George H. Cartlan, booklet of scripts, 1942
Box 1 Folder 26 If Christ Came to His Own…?( A Christmas Satire), script, undated
Box 1 Folder 27 Keystone Cops, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 28 Known But to God, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 29 Lake View Tradition Assembly, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 30 Letter to Abe Lincoln - Written from Hodgenville. Kentucky, script, undated
Box 1 Folder 31 Mr. Main Motion, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 1 Memorial Day program script, undated
Box 2 Folder 2 Parliamentary Law, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 3 Parliamentary Law (A), script, undated
Box 2 Folder 4 The Past is Prologue: a Chronicle Presented by the Illinois Education Association, script, 1955 July
Box 2 Folder 5 From The People, Yes, by Carl Sandburg, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 6 Peter and the Christmas Lamb, written and produced by Helen G. Kinsella and her drama classes, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 7 A President’s March, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 8 The Purple Heart: An Historical Pageant, written and produced for the Military Order of the Purple Heart by students of Lake View High School, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 9 Quarter Deck of a Pirate Ship, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 10 The Sacred Dove of Peace: A Christmas Fantasy, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 11 A Salute to Chaplains, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 12 A Salute to John and Mary Logan, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 13 Singing America, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 14 Solemnly We Pause: A Memorial Pageant, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 15 Songs of Christmas, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 16 Stars for Christmas, script and notes, undated
Box 2 Folder 17 The Taming of the Shrew, by William Shakespeare, a television workshop, undated
Box 2 Folder 18 These Things are America, by George Jennings, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 19 They Were Not Afraid, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 20 This is Your Fire, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 21 This is Your Life, script, 1960
Box 2 Folder 22 Tribute to a Great Man: A Civil War Centennial Pageant, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 23 Unfinished Symphony, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 24 The Valiant, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 25 Valley Forge, script, undated
Box 2 Folder 26 The Valley of Fortitude, by Lucille Freund, script, 1954
Box 2 Folder 27 The Wizard of Lake View, script, undated

Series 3: Poetry, undated

Scope and Contents

This small series contains copies of a few poems collected by Helen Kinsella.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 2 Folder 28 Collected poems, undated
Box 2 Folder 29 “I’m Going to Join the Colours, Dad,” undated
Box 2 Folder 30 “The Town Band,” by Wilbur D. Nasvit, undated

Series 4: Radio Broadcasts and Workshops, 1952-1953, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains scripts of radio productions done by students in Helen Kinsella’s workshop classes.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 3 Folder 1 “The Chicago Fire,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 2 “Christmas Carol,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 3 “Divided We Fall,” script, 1953 October 30
Box 3 Folder 4 “English Drama: Shakespeare – Restoration," program number 2, script undated
Box 3 Folder 5 “English Drama: The 18th Century,” program number 3, script undated
Box 3 Folder 6 “English Drama: The 19th Century,” program number 4, script, undated
Box 3 Folder 7 “English Drama: The 20th Century,” program number 5, script, undated
Box 3 Folder 8 “The First Thanksgiving,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 9 "In Your Hands,” script for Illinois Congress of Parents & Teachers, sponsored by Helen G. Kinsella, 1953 October 22
Box 3 Folder 10 “Lazaro in the Pueblos,” script, 1952 November 6
Box 3 Folder 11 “Saints, Heroes, Sinners: Even With a Miracle...,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 12 "Saints, Heroes, Sinners: God's Darling, Saint Philomena,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 13 “Saints, Heroes, Sinners: The Invalid’s View,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 14 “Saints, Heroes, Sinners: B1, John Ogilvie, S.J.,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 15 “Saints, Heroes, Sinners: Our Lady in Our Land, 1492-1952,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 16 “Saints, Heroes, Sinners: A Saint of the Stage, Eve Lavalliere, 1866-1929,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 17 “The Three "E""s of Fire Prevention,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 18 “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” script, undated
Box 3 Folder 19 Workshop, “A Pen That Set a People Free,” script by Rilla Bergman, undated

Series 5: Scrapbook, 1954-1955

Scope and Contents

This is a scrapbook of news clippings compiled by Helen Kinsella. It focuses on censorship in movies, radio, and television. Also included are a few clippings on birth control.

Arrangement

The material was left in the order found.

Box 3 Folder 20 Scrapbook of newspaper clippings regarding censorship in movies, radio, and television; also a few clippings on birth control, 1954-1955

Series 6: Songbooks and Sheet Music, 1905-1956

Scope and Contents

This series contains sheet music and songbooks found in Helen Kinsella’s papers.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 4 Folder 1 Alexander's Ragtime Band, bv Irving Berlin, songbook, 1938
Box 4 Folder 1 Anchors Aweigh, by Captain Alfred H. Miles and Charles A. Zimmerman, songbook, 1943
Box 4 Folder 1 Anniversary Song, by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin, songbook, 1946
Box 4 Folder 1 Around the World (In 80 Davs), by Harold Adamson and Victor Young, songbook, 1956
Box 4 Folder 1 The Bell Man, by Cecil Forsyth, songbook, 1919
Box 4 Folder 1 Christmas Carols, selected and arranged by Karl Schulte, songbook, 1942
Box 4 Folder 1 Father of the Land We Love, by George M. Cohan, songbook, 1931
Box 4 Folder 2 Good-bye Broadway, Hello France, by C. Francis Riesner, Benny Davis, and Billy Baskette, songboook, 1945
Box 4 Folder 2 Hinky Dinky Parlez-Vous, bv "Red" Rowland and Gitz Rice, songbook, 1940
Box 4 Folder 2 Hits Through the Years, Remick Music Corporation, songbook, 1951
Box 4 Folder 3 The Holy City, by F.E. Weatherly and Stephen Adams, songbook, 1942
Box 4 Folder 3 How ‘Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm? (After Thev’ve Seen Paree), by Sam M. Lewis, Joe Young, and Walter Donaldson, 1947
Box 4 Folder 3 In Mv Merry Oldsmobile, by Gus Edwards and Vincent Bryan, songbook, 1905
Box 4 Folder 3 Over There, by George M. Cohan, songbook 1945
Box 4 Folder 3 The Poor People of Paris, by Jack Lawrence and Marguerite Monnot, songbook, 1956
Box 4 Folder 3 The Rose of No Man’s Land, bv Jack Caddigan and James A. Brennan, songbook, 1945
Box 4 Folder 3 Smiles, by J. Will Callahan and Lee S. Roberts, songbook, 1918
Box 4 Folder 3 Waltzing Matilda, by A.B. Paterson and Marie Cowan, sheet music, 1943
Box 4 Folder 3 The White Cliffs of Dover, bv Nat Burton and Walter Kent, songbook, 1941

Series 7: Writings, 1952-1965, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains Helen Kinsella’s writings, other than plays or scripts.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Box 4 Folder 4 “The Banquet Table of St. John,” typescript, undated
Box 4 Folder 5 “A Challenge to All Women,” in What is Your Destiny?, booklet of a panel discussion presented by the Family and Youth Program of the Department of Social Service, International Federation of Catholic Alumnae, 1952 August 21
Box 4 Folder 6 [The Cinema], handwritten essay, undated
Box 4 Folder 7 “Evaluating Criteria of a Good Motion Picture,” handwritten essay, undated
Box 4 Folder 8 “I am Radio,” typescript and handwritten notes, undated
Box 4 Folder 9 “Illinois Chapter, I.F.C.A.: Completing First Half Century of Service,” typescript, 1965 April 25
Box 4 Folder 10 “The Little Flower Appears in Ireland,” typescript, undated

Series 8: Photographs, 1939-1960, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains photographs related to Helen Kinsella’s work as a drama teacher at Lake View High School.

Arrangement

In three subseries.

Subseries A: Plays, 1939-1950, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains images of Lake View High School drama productions.

Arrangement

Alphabetically according to the title of the play, with photographs where the production is unknown at the end.

Photograph 2.14 Best Foot Forward cast, undated
Photograph 1.20 [Christmas play], nativity scene, cast, undated
Photograph 2.19 Christmas Victory Bond Appeal cast, 1945
Photograph 2.18 Diamond Jubilee cast, 1949
Photograph 1.15 Don't Take my Penny cast, 1941
Photograph 1.16 Don't Take my Penny cast, 1941
Photograph 2.10 Don't Take my Penny cast, 1941
Photograph 2.11 Don't Take my Penny cast, 1941
Photograph 2.15 Don't Take my Penny cast, 1941
Photograph 2.17 The Family Upstairs cast on stage, 1939
Photograph 2.21 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.22 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.23 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.24 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.25 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.26 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.27 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 2.28 Gold in Them Thar Hills cast, 1940
Photograph 1.13 It Never Rains cast on stage, 1944
Photograph 1.14 It Never Rains cast on stage, 1944
Photograph 1.17 It Never Rains cast on stage, 1944
Photograph 1.18 It Never Rains cast on stage, 1944
Photograph 2.16 It Never Rains cast on stage, 1944
Photograph 2.13 I've Joined the Colors, Dad cast, undated
Photograph 2.12 The Taming of the Shrew, Television Workshop Production, 1950 December
Photograph 2.20 The Taming of the Shrew, Television Workshop Production - cast, audience, and film crew, 1950 December
Photograph 1.19 Cast of unidentified play on stage, undated
Photograph 1.21 Cast of unidentified play, undated
Photograph 1.22 Cast of unidentified play on stage, undated
Photograph 1.23 Cast of unidentified play on stage, undated
Photograph 1.24 Cast of unidentified play, undated

Oversize

Photograph 1.25

Cast of unidentified play, circa 1897

Oversize

Photograph 1.26

Cast of unidentified play, circa 1897

Oversize

Photograph 1.38

Cast of unidentified play, circa 1887

Oversize

Photograph 1.39

Cast of unidentified play, circa mid-twentieth century

Subseries B: Student programs and activities, 1941-1957, undated

Scope and Contents

This subseries includes images of Lake View High School ROTC events, a public speaking group, and prom queen contestants. It also includes casual images of drama students.

Arrangement

Alphabetically according to the type of event and chronologically therein.

Photograph 1.1 Armistice Day, ROTC students and veterans, 1947
Photograph 1.2 Armistice Day, ROTC students and veterans standing outside, 1957
Photograph 1.3 Armistice Day, ROTC students and unidentified man sitting with Captain W.G. Andrews, 1957
Photograph 2.1 Armistice Day, "Six Angels" performers, 1948
Photograph 1.4 Armistice Day, students sitting with Captain W.G. Andrews, 1957
Photograph 1.5 Armistice Day, students sitting with Captain W.G. Andrews, 1957
Photograph 1.6 Armistice Day, three ROTC students and unidentified man standing with Captain W.G. Andrews, 1957
Photograph 1.7 Drama students, group, undated
Photograph 1.8 Drama students, group, circa 1940s
Photograph 1.9 Drama students, large group, 1941
Photograph 1.10 Drama students, large group, 1941
Photograph 2.2 Drama students on a float during "Clean up Chicago" parade, 1948
Photograph 2.3 Drama students on a float during "Clean up Chicago" parade, 1948
Photograph 2.4 Drama students on a float during "Clean up Chicago" parade, 1948
Photograph 2.5 Drama students on a float during "Clean up Chicago" parade, 1948
Photograph 1.11 Drama students, sitting on couch and standing, circa 1950s
Photograph 1.12 Drama students, standing outside with Helen Kinsella, circa 1950s
Photograph 1.33 Prom queen contestants, undated
Photograph 1.34 Prom queen and court, undated
Photograph 1.27 Public speaking group, large group, 1941
Photograph 1.28 Public speaking group, smaller group, 1941
Photograph 1.30 ROTC Honor Guard, circa 1956
Photograph 1.31 ROTC Honor Guard at Lt. Lucile Pepoon memorial, circa 1956
Photograph 1.32 ROTC Honor Guard and others at Lucile Pepoon memorial, circa 1956
Photograph 2.32 Television in the classroom pilot program, circa 1945
Photograph 2.33 Television in the classroom pilot program, circa 1945
Photograph 1.35 Variety show with performers on stage, undated
Photograph 1.36 Variety show with performers on stage, undated
Photograph 1.37 Variety show with performers on stage, undated

Subseries C: Teachers and Administrators, 1955-1960, undated

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains five images of Helen G. Kinsella and one of Lake View High School principal J. Trimble Boyd.

Arrangement

Alphabetically.

Photograph 1.29 Boyd, J. Trimble, Lake View High School Principal, circa 1955
Photograph 2.7 Kinsella, Helen G., receiving Classroom Teachers Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1959
Photograph 2.8 Kinsella, Helen G., receiving Classroom Teachers Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1959
Photograph 2.9 Kinsella, Helen G., receiving Classroom Teachers Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1959
Photograph 1.40 Kinsella, Helen G., portrait, circa 1960
Photograph 2.6 Kinsella, Helen G., portrait, undated
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