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Howard E. Pratt Collection

 Collection
Identifier: WCMss-410

Scope and Contents

The Howard E. Pratt Collection contains material related to Howard E. Pratt. This collection, which dates from 1900 to 1933, consists of a large scrapbook full of clippings, musical programs, broadsides, reviews, and other items relating to Pratt from the time of his marriage to Mabel Woolsey in Marshall, Michigan through his time in California. In addition, the collection contains loose programs and pieces of ephemera relating to Pratt and musical events in Walla Walla, Washington and his time in California, a southern California concert tour, newspaper clippings, and his vocal studies and work in Boston and New York.

Dates

  • Creation: 1900-1933

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Howard E. Pratt was born on June 30, 1875 in Webster, New York. Before he began his musical career, he was employed in the newspaper business. A veteran of the Spanish-American War, Pratt remained active in veterans' affairs up until the time of his death. At the time of his marriage to Mabel Woolsey, he was editor of the Marshall Statesman. He then switched careers to become a singer and music teacher. Pratt received his musical education at the State Normal conservatory at Ypsilanti, Michigan and the University of Michigan school of music in Ann Arbor. He toured California in 1908 and performed in several shows. By 1913, Pratt had relocated to the East Bay in the San Francisco area where he was associated with the California Institute of Musical Art as a teacher. In 1917, Pratt was in Santa Rosa, California as the director of the Santa Rosa Choral Society. By 1919, he worked at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington as the director of the Men’s Glee Club, Girl’s Glee Club, Whitman Choral Society, and the Whitman All-College Glee Club. He was also director of the Whitman Conservatory of Music, was tenor in the Walla Walla Symphony Club, and guest conductor of the Walla Walla College Choral Society. He remained in Walla Walla as director and head of the voice department of the Whitman Conservatory before his death on December 15, 1936.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Howard E. Pratt Collection, which dates from 1900 to 1933, contains material related to the musical career of Howard E. Pratt, a singer, teacher, and director located in California, Washington, and Michigan. The collection includes a scrapbook of newspaper clippings, programs, and other ephemera.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Nanette and Thomas Edwards on September 1, 2014. The accession number associated with this donation is 2015-003.

Title
Guide to the Howard E. Pratt Collection
Author
Updated by Rayana Weller
Date
2015, 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Whitman College and Northwest Archives Repository

Contact:
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla WA 99362 United States
509-527-5922