Documents of Rollin Reuben Keim, Lehigh Class of 1919

Collection

Identifier: SC MS 0224

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two scrapbooks bound with eyelet and cord: a black embossed leatherette measuring 32 x 28 x 1.5 cm containing newspaper articles and brown leatherette with gold stamping measuring 30.5 x 25 x 2.5 cm containing Lehigh alumni articles, as well as a folder containing letters, and seven booklets about the City of Bethlehem’s Hill-to-Hill Bridge. The Hill-to-Hill Bridge apparently was unique at the time as having eight approaches which stimulated engineering interest. There are a number of black and white photographs mostly of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge’s construction some attributed to Bethlehem photographer Conradi and three photos of groups of people: one apparently of members of the Bethlehem Natural Science Association, and two of Bethlehem businessmen. Also included is a bound copy of his senior thesis which is filed separately among the University’s thesis collection.

Dates

Creation: 1792-1923, 1969
Creation: Majority of material found within 1792-1923, 1969

Creator

Keim, Rollin Reuben (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Rollin Reuben Keim was born 1897 and died 1969 in Bethlehem. He entered Lehigh University with the Class of 1919 but left to serve in World War I and returned to graduate with the Class of 1920 as a Chemical Engineer. He was Class of 1919 correspondent. He was a prominent businessman in Bethlehem serving from 1952-1956 as City Treasurer of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was president of the Bethlehem Board of Realtors for 1969 and was a member of the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. At the time of the building of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge he was employed by the Bridge’s contractors Rodgers & Hagerty Inc. Later he was employed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation. He also was a member of the Bethlehem Natural Science Association and the Boy Scouts of America.

Extent

2 boxes : Two scrapbooks: a black embossed leatherette measuring 32 x 28 x 1.5 cm containing newspaper articles and a brown leatherette with gold stamping measuring 30.5 x 25 x 2.5 cm containing Lehigh alumni articles, as well as a folder containing letters, and seven booklets about the City of Bethlehem’s Hill-to-Hill Bridge. There are a number of black and white photographs mostly of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge’s construction and three photos of groups of people. ; 1 linear foot

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A collection of ephemera of a Lehigh alumnus, Rollin Reuben Keim, concerning his personal interests, his career as a City of Bethlehem businessman and contributions to his Lehigh Class as Class correspondent for Lehigh Alumni Bulletin. Major portion of the collection is data and visual material related to the Hill-to-Hill Bridge, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Arrangement

The letters in the collection are arranged chronologically but all other material is random. The collection arranged in 3 series, by format and subject: Series 1: Scrapbooks, Series 2: Hill-to-Hill Bridge, Series 3: Bridges of Bethlehem (Pa.)

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Material donated by Thomas F. Keim, son of Rollin Reuben Keim, on January 13, 2012.

Separated Materials

Following items cataloged and shelved separately Keim, Rollin Reuben. 1920. Purification of Crude Naphthalene. Senior Thesis filed with University’s theses.

Keim, Rollin Reuben. 1924. The Hill-to-Hill Bridge, Bethlehem, Pa.: including historical review and engineering features. LX H 645.

Diploma, Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University, 1920. In SC MS 0126 Diplomas and Certificates