Canon Orville E. Watson was a staple of the Kenyon community from his time as a Bexley Hall Seminary student beginning in 1890, then as a professor from 1903-1943, and finally as a beloved Gambier resident until his death in 1951.
We do not know how the Archive came into possession of his collection of postcards, though it seems likely Canon Watson gave them to the library while he resided in Gambier before his death. The postcards were kept in 16 souvenir postcard books which seemed contemporary of the postcards themselves all of which appear to have been printed in the early 20th century, possibly late 19th century. Some of the postcards we assume to be souvenirs of Canon Watson's travels as they are still blank, others were sent to him by friends and family.
The souvenir books were not salvageable, but the postcards themselves are available for viewing as is more information about Canon Watson.
