Guide to Walton and Van Ray Morgan Papers

Collection Summary

Title: Walton and Van Ray Morgan Papers
Call Number: MS 2005-4
Size: 1.25 linear feet
Acquisition: Donated by Van Ray Morgan.
Processed by: JLY, 2/2005

Literary Rights

Literary rights were granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The Walton and Van Ray Morgan Papers include materials documenting the careers and interests of both individuals. Included in the collection are photographs, teaching and business materials, and collected ephemera. The collection spans from the 1930s through the 1990s.

Administrative History

Walton Morgan was born May 7, 1919, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, but the family soon relocated to Wichita, Kansas. During high school he was the first, and at the time, only African American member of the North High Band (class of 1939), as well as a record setting track athlete. While in high school he played saxophone in the local jazz band the Syncopators. Morgan served in the Army from 1942 to 1947 and played clarinet in the band. After the Army he received both his Bachelors and Masters of Music Education from the University of Wichita and started his long career as a public school teacher. Morgan taught in the Wichita public school system for thirty-four years, retiring in 1986. After retirement Morgan continued to provide music lessons for anyone willing to learn and even formed the Morgan Mid-Towners, a band of senior citizen musicians. Walton Morgan died in July 1996.

Van Ray Morgan was born in Wichita, Kansas, March 19, 1919. After graduating high school she entered the Jerry Williams Finishing School, where she earned a masters in Charm and Modeling. She spent time as a runway and tea room model with the Josette Sepia Professional Models of Kansas City, Missouri. She later opened her own modeling and charm school, the Le V'Ray Coquettes Studio. In addition to her modeling affairs, which are the primary materials in this manuscript collection, Van Ray Morgan was the first black office employee at Beech Aircraft. She worked as a Data Key Computer operator and after 32 years of service retired with a management position. She has contributed to local African American publications The Enlightener and 67214 as well as served as a senior news correspondent for Wichita's KSNW news.

Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1 FF1 - Box 1 FF 17 Walton Morgan Papers
Series 1.1 Box 1 FF 1 - Box 1 FF 4 and Oversize MS collection drawer Photographs. This series includes photographs of Walton Morgan that reference much of his life including his Army days, graduation from University of Wichita, life as a musician, and career as a public school teacher. The photographs span from the 1930s to the 1990s.
Series 1.2 Box 1 FF 5 - Box 1 FF 8 Personal. The series is comprised of clippings, sheet music, ephemera, and other materials that reflect aspects of Morgan's life including his military service, educational pursuits, and music.
Series 1.3 Box 1 FF 9 - Box 1 FF 12 Educator. Includes clippings discussing Morgan's music students, teaching materials used by Morgan in the classroom, a Curriculum Guide for Instrumental Music in the Elementary Schools from the Wichita Public School Systems (1965), and a small number thank you and retirement cards sent to Morgan.
Series 1.4 Box 1 FF 13 - Box 1 FF 17 and Oversize MS collection drawer Certificates and Awards. Series includes certificates, awards, and plaques received by Morgan from 1925 to 1995.
Series 2 Box 1 FF 18 - Box 2 FF 11 Van Ray Morgan Papers
Series 2.1 Box 1 FF 18 - Box 2 FF 5 Charm and Modeling Studio. This series is comprised of photographs, clippings, and classroom materials from the Le V' Ray Coquettes Studio. Bulk of the material is from the 1960s.
Series 2.2 Box 2 FF 6 - Box 2 FF 11 and Oversize MS collection drawer Personal. The series is comprised of clippings, photographs, and certificates that reflect Morgan's life (1950s-1990s). Also included are materials from Morgan's time as a Senior beat reporter for KSNW Channel 3 News (1988-1989)

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 -- Walton Morgan Papers
 
Series 1.1 -- Photographs
     
Box 1 FF 1 Folder includes photographs of Walton Morgan and includes portraits and group photographs. Included are: portrait (circa 1938-39), souvenir photo in original booklet with group at the Down Beat Club- also included with this photo are two small portraits of Morgan in uniform, portrait of an unidentified female, and a Coleman Hawkins autograph (circa 1940s), snapshot of uniformed men playing football (circa 1940s), group photo of Army band (circa 1940s) [this photograph is oversized and located in Oversize MS collection drawer], portrait in graduation cap and gown (1955), copy of University of Wichita identification card (1950-51), Morgan and wife Van Ray by car (1955), portrait taken at the 58th Annual Convention of the American Federation of Musicians (1955), portrait (1959-60), walking across stage in cap and gown (1960), standing in cap and gown (1960), portrait (1961-62), standing beside car (1962), group of Wichita Public School Teachers at Business Education Day at Fourth National Bank and Trust Company (1962), Ingalls Elementary staff and teachers (1965), group photo of North High Class of '39 Reunion w/attached name index (1966), group at Cotillion Ballroom (1969), two portraits (1971), portrait (1980), group photograph of North High Class of 1939 55th Reunion (circa 1994) [this photograph is oversized and located in Oversize MS collection drawer], several portraits (dates unknown), two group photos of L'Ouverture School faculty (dates unknown), photo of faculty group Little Elementary School (date unknown), souvenir photo in original booklet of Morgan and wife with group at The Rage Club (date unknown)
Box 1 FF 2 Folder includes music related photographs of Walton Morgan. Included are: group photo of North High band (circa 1930s), group shot of band believed to be the Syncopators (circa 1940s), Ft. Sill Army band (1942), portrait of Morgan in uniform (1943), 368th A. S. F. Band (1945), portrait of Morgan in uniform (circa 1940s), portrait in University of Wichita uniform(1953), standing with sax with drummer and others in background (1957), two portraits with sax- one is signed by Morgan (1957), three phonographs of Morgan holding flute along with a trumpet and saxophone player (1962), various snapshots including the Morgan Mid Towners (1990s), portrait with sax (date unknown), Morgan on stage with clarinet and pianist (date unknown), two photographs of orchestras on stage (date unknown), portrait with clarinet in University of Wichita uniform (date unknown)
Box 1 FF 3 Folder includes photographs of Morgan's students (1950s, 1960s, and 1990s)
Box 1 FF 4 Photographs without Morgan. Included are: band featuring Perry Reed (date unknown), two photographs of Shirley Green (1990 and date unknown), unidentified saxophone player on stage with band [possibly Lionel Hampton band] (date unknown), promotional photograph of Ella Fitzgerald and Her Famous Orchestra (date unknown), Syncopators with name index (date unknown), and a photograph in original souvenir folder of the interior of Flagler's Garden (date unknown)
 
Series 1.2 -- Personal
     
Box 1 FF 5 Folder includes personal and biographical materials including clippings about Morgan, Wichita North High Class of 1939 Reunion directories, Morgan's obituary, and funeral program
Box 1 FF 6 Folder includes materials regarding Morgan's military career. Folder includes clippings, Application for Appointment as Warrant Officer, Application for Servicemen's Readjustment Allowance, Honorable Discharge Case, certificate, and a form letter regarding veteran's benefits (1942-1946)
Box 1 FF 7 Includes materials regarding Morgan's educational pursuits and includes a congratulatory form letter from Harry Corbin (1955), University of Wichita Commencement guide (1955), University of Wichita Commencement guide (1960), and a written project prepared for Music History class (date unknown)
Box 1 FF 8 Folder includes music related materials including binder labeled "Walt's Solo Book," information and membership card from the Wichita Clarinet Society (1990), a small clipped advertisement for Walton Morgan and His Orchestra at the Trocadero (date unknown), souvenir booklet from John Dotson's Famous Blue Moon, two of Morgan's business cards, Morgan's membership card for the Musicians' Protective Union Local No. 701, Delegate badge and ribbon from the 1955 American Federation of Musicians Annual Convention, and jazz clippings that reference local musicians Perry Reed, Shirley Green, and Harold Cary, and a program from the April 2000 Wichita Jazz Festival.
 
Series 1.3 -- Educator
     
Box 1 FF 9 Clippings featuring Morgan's students
Box 1 FF 10 Teaching materials including sheet music, handouts, lessons, and other materials used by Morgan in classroom.
Box 1 FF 11 Curriculum Guide for Instrumental Music in the Elementary Schools from the Wichita Public Schools (1965)
Box 1 FF 12 Thank you and retirement cards sent to Morgan
 
Series 1.4 -- Certificates and Awards
     
Box 1 FF 13 photocopy of certificate from New Hope Baptist Church Daily Vacation Bible School (1925), Diploma from Wichita High School North (1939), Junior Certificate in Saxophone (1939), Senior Certificate in Saxophone (1942), membership certificate from Kappa Kappa Psi (1950), membership certificate from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (1951), membership certificate from Gamma Sigma Chapter Sinfonia Fraternity of America (1953), diploma Bachelor of Music Education from University of Wichita (1955), membership certificate from National Education Association of the United States (1956) [this certificate is oversized and located in the oversize MS collection drawer], membership certificate from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America (1959), diploma Master of Music Education from University of Wichita (1960)
Box 1 FF 14 plaque: Outstanding Service to Youth (1972)
Box 1 FF 15 plaque: The Academy of American Educators for Outstanding Educator in America (1973-1974)
Box 1 FF 16 plaque: Who's Who in Kansas (1975)
Box 1 FF 17 Certificate of Appreciation (1985), membership renewal certificate from African Methodist Episcopal Church (1987), Certificate of Merit from Wichita Public Schools (circa 1980s), Certificate of Recognition from NE Senior Center (1992), Certificate of Appreciation from Operation Clothesline, Inc. (1992), Certificate of Appreciation from Church Women United (1992), Certificate of Appreciation from the 1993 Soul Reunion (1993), Certificate of Honor from WAAHSA (1994), Certificate of Appointment as member of Sedgwick County Council on Aging Board (1994) Certificate of Appreciation (1995)
 
Series 2 -- Van Ray Morgan Papers
 
Series 2.1 -- Charm and Modeling Studio
     
Box 1 FF 18 Photographs-- 1960. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 19 Photographs-- 1961. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 20 Photographs-- 1962. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 21 Photographs-- 1963. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 22 Photographs-- 1964. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 23 Photographs-- 1965. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 24 Photographs-- 1966. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 25 Photographs-- 1970s and 1980s. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 1 FF 26 Photographs-- dates unknown. Includes photographs of modeling students or shows.
Box 2 FF 1 Photographs-- dates unknown. These photographs are not believed to be students of Morgan's, but rather were used to show proper form (as noted on the back of a few photos).
Box 2 FF 2 Class Materials-- Notebook for student enrolled in Le V' Ray Coquettes Studio (1964)
Box 2 FF 3 Class Materials-- Notebook for student enrolled in Le V' Ray Coquettes Studio (1967)
Box 2 FF 4 Class Materials-- Folder includes clippings, Memory Test, blank Certificate of Award, letter from former student, and samples of letterhead
Box 2 FF 5 Class Materials-- Includes clippings and other ephemera regarding Mrs. Jerry Williams. Morgan graduated from one of Williams' studios.
 
Series 2.2 -- Personal
     
Box 2 FF 6 Certificates-- member certificate from Imperial Court Daughters of Isis (1952), Certificate of Participation from Fashionetta (1995)
Box 2 FF 7 Clippings-- Christmas Greetings from the Entire Staff at a Goldies (1949), Kansas Guests Entertained (1958), Tour Call Plant (1962), Class of '55 Reunion (1965)
Box 2 FF 8 KSNW News "Seniorbeat"-- Folder includes clippings, correspondence, photograph, and story information regarding Morgan's time spent as a senior news reporter for KSNW Channel 3 news Seniorbeat (1988-1989)
Box 2 FF 9 KSNW News "Seniorbeat"-- Folder includes three vhs cassettes with Morgan's senior reports (1988-1989)
Box 2 FF 10 Photographs of Morgan-- Folder includes Morgan with group (1944), Morgan as member of the Sarakanas [African American YWCA Social Club] (1946), Morgan with unidentified group (1948), book of snapshots (1955), Morgan with car (1957), Walton and Van Ray Morgan (1962), Morgan portrait- guest model (1962), two Morgan and group at barbeque (1962), Morgan portrait (1963), Morgan and friend (1964), Morgan modeling (1965), Morgan portrait (1970), Morgan with group honored by banquet of the Wichita Association of Colored Women, Girls and Boys Club (1998). Dates unknown on each of the following photographs: small book of snapshots, Morgan portraits, Morgan as member of Sarakana Club, souvenir photo in original booklet of Morgan and friend at the College Inn
Box 2 FF 11 Photographs-- Others-- Ruie & Eula Pryor on L'Ouverture school grounds (circa 1920s) [an enlargement of this photograph was made and can be found in MS collections oversize folder], Dorothy Benton wedding (1959), cast of Show Boat at Starlight Theatre (date unknown), unidentified group from Beechcraft (date unknown)