Wisconsin State Oratorical Contest (bound volume), 1898-1901

This collection is arranged into five series based on organization or program name, with one series of general information.

Series 1. General - Beloit College students were also members of other regional oratorical associations (Wisconsin State Oratorical Association, Interstate Oratorical Association) and participated in debates representing them. Many debate programs, which include the topic for discussion, lists of speakers for and against, and judges names. Orations events programs list speakers and their topics, as well as music programs and other highlights. The bound volumes from state and interstate oratorical contests contain published versions of orations given by participants, including Beloit College and non-Beloit speakers.

Series 2. Alethean Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books with meeting minutes, some in a very fragile state.

Series 3. Archaean Union - This series contains a sizeable collection of public meeting notices and other announcements for debates and orations. They kept detailed record books in the 1800s that included their Constitution, Preamble, and By-Laws. Robert K. Richardson also transcribed relevant materials from Round Table articles, Senate minutes, and other publications as part of his research for his update of the Beloit College history book.

Series 4. Cliosophic Literary Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books with meeting minutes, some in a very fragile state.

Series 5. Delian Society - This series contains bound, handwritten record books that include their constitution, by-laws, and meeting minutes.