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Leon Kanegis papers

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Held at: Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections [Contact Us]370 Lancaster Ave, Haverford, PA 19041

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Leon Kanegis (1916-2003) was a convinced (converted) Quaker and member of Friends Meeting of Washington (D.C.). He was a pacifist who wrote on many topics, including against segregation and capital punishment. In his Meeting, he worked with the Religious Education Committee and the First Day School. He married Lillian Hayman (1913-1952) and later Sylvia Meyers.

The collection consists of Leon Kanegis' writings on various civil rights, religious, and political topics, as well as copies of his letters, including to his family, to political and judicial figures. As well, there are Kanegis' teaching and committee membership files, spiritual diaries and philosophical deliberations, including into his own health issues, and cassette tapes on teaching in the First Day School. There are also annotated books on faiths explored by Kanegis and letters from the children whom he taught.

Arranged by topic. Folder titles are those of Leon Kanegis.

Gift of Barbara Nnoka, June 2003.

Original processing information unknown. Rehoused and revised by Hannah Kolzer, March 2022.

Publisher
Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Collection Inventory

Archival Resource Key. Meeting Membership, 1942-1984.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Documents concerning Leon Kanegis joining the Friends Meeting of Washington. Includes letters by him to committees, his writing "Why Quakerism?", application forms, Wider Quaker Fellowship membership card signed by Rufus Jones 8/28/1942, Membership Certificate for Friends Meeting of Washington, 6/17/1984

Archival Resource Key. Mormon, SA, 1940-1942.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Writings by Leon Kanegis about Mormanism [sic], his attendance at Mormon Recitals, his becoming involved with the Mormon chuch. Recollections, essays.

Archival Resource Key. Wider Quaker Fellowship, 1940-1942.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Correspondence concerning Leon Kanegis and his first wife Lillian Hayman joining the Wider Quaker Fellowship. Receipts for subscriptions; letter of interest by Leon Kanegis, letter of welcome from Emma Cadbury to Lillian Hayman, letter of welome from Leslie D. Schaffer to Leon Kanegis and response by Kanegis.

Archival Resource Key. Draft Petition (1942) plus misc., 1942-1964.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Correspondence mostly by Leon Kanegis to draft committee, friends, family, concerning his status as a Conscientious Objector and his spiritual justification for not participating in the war effort. Multiple drafts or partial drafts of most letters. Some later writings also included.

Archival Resource Key. Personal Praise (Compiled in 1993), 1977-1986.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Notes from various students, colleagues, clients, fellow members of Meetings. Also typewritten notes by Kanegis of kind words and compliments people said to him.

Archival Resource Key. Santa Claus Pictures (1938) Chamber of Commerce, 1938-1972.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Leon Kanegis was the official "Santa" of Mt. Vernon, New York for the 1938 holiday season. Photo of newspaper and documents concerning this, letter of thanks from Executive Secretary of Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce, misc. materials relating to Santa Claus and Kanegis' portrayal.

Archival Resource Key. Abortion, 1974-1986.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Many writings by Leon Kanegis about abortion: arguments for legal abortion and against various conservative/anti-abortion points. Includes some newspaper clippings and a copy of "Friends Journal", 2/15/1978.

Archival Resource Key. Insights, 1942-1974.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Writings by Leon Kanegis about various topics: Quakers and Quakerism, Spirituality, Disease, Aging, Depression. Later notes and comments by Kanegis on same, including 1942 piece on God which he has labelled "Excellent" and "For Leon only. Too deep and primal. More mental than inspired."

Archival Resource Key. Retreat-Fall 1976, 1976.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Papers related to retreat taken by Friends' Meeting of Washington at All Saints' Convent, Catonsville, MD, September 17-19, 1976. Description of setting, schedule of events, list of attendees. Journal entries, notes, writings made by Kanegis while attending including letters to his mother and sister.

Archival Resource Key. Retreat (9/16/1976) Edited 7/12/1977, 1977.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Transcript of tapes made during/after the Friends Meeting of Washington Retreat September 1976--transcript edited later by Kanegis.

Archival Resource Key. Friends Journal Peace Testimonies, 1942-1984.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Excerpts of articles about Quakers and Quaker-related topics (including impeachment of Richard Nixon, prison rights, etc.), from various publications: Friends Journal, Friends Intelligencer, Friends Intelligencia, Washington Star-News, Washington Post, New York Times. Some of these are extracts typewritten on notepaper, some are cuttings of papers or full pages.

Archival Resource Key. "Quaker Life" 3/89, 32568.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

"Quaker Life" Series XXX, no. 2 March 1989 issue. And photocopy of article from that issue: "A Parable of Stones into Fruit" by Chuck Kleymeyer.

Archival Resource Key. Quaker Reading/Thought, 1974.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Meditations, prayers, reflections, notes on readings in Quakerism especially "The Introduction to Quaker Understanding of Christ and of Authority"

Archival Resource Key. Ashram Photos: 1 Complete Set, 1943.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Set of photos: probably taken at an event; most are unlabelled except a group photo of about 80 people (some of whom are labelled with names and addresses) which is dated 1943.

Archival Resource Key. Ashram Photos, 1943.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Copies of various of the Ashram photos. Set of negatives. Postcards, blank and with notes--not addressed or mailed.

Archival Resource Key. Better Writings, 1973-1982.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notebook labelled "Writings for Publishing (Need to be typed)" (1973) Set of notes titled "Similarities Between the Insights That Have Occurred to Me and the Insights Mentioned in 'Scientific Theories Suggest a Light at the End of the Tunnel" (1982).

Archival Resource Key. God-Council of Gods, 1966-1989.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes and writings about God: writings including "God/Conservatives," "What Do I Mean by 'The Isness of God,'" "Glory to God in the Highest," "There is that of God in Every Man," "There Must be a Nature Above Nature."

Archival Resource Key. Language-Words, 1973-1990.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Page of notes (1990). Writing titles "Words-Words-Words" (1973).

Archival Resource Key. Law and Order, 1960-1974.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Writings and notes critiquing the criminal justice system, the legal system, and the glorification of militarism.

Archival Resource Key. Martyrdom-Imprisonment-Sacrificing, 1943-1973.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes about self-sacrifice and peaceful protest.

Archival Resource Key. Militarism, 1969-1991.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes, writings, newspaper clippings, correspondence. Leon Kanegis writes against militarism and military spending, particularly as these things interact with the educational system.

Archival Resource Key. Militarism-War, 1960-1974.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

More notes and writings against militarism.

Archival Resource Key. Patriotism-Conscience, 1971-1991.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes and writings against militarism and in defense of conscientious objectors. Including notes titled "What's Wronge [sic] with Patriotism," cutting of full-page advertisement by Lord and Taylor featuring Statue of Liberty and patriotic saying from Washington Post, July 3, 1983 (Kanegis labelled it "Idolitry [sic] doth blind the eye."

Archival Resource Key. Race-Racial Identity, 1943-1968.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes by Leon Kanegis and clippings from publications (writings not by Kanegis) about racial issues, particularly Black issues and the Civil Rights movement.

Archival Resource Key. Science-Technology, 1972-1992.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes, including "Creation Science." Newspaper clippings about science: quantum physics, the big bang theory, cosmology, etc.

Archival Resource Key. Seeds-Eggs, 1942.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes about the miracle of seeds and the miracle of the egg, the latter titled "Pantheism and Theism."

Archival Resource Key. Sex Education, 1974-1977.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Writings about sex: its morality and necessity. Informational page printed by the Sexual Freedom League of San Francisco.

Archival Resource Key. Soul, 1941-1989.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Writings about the nature and reality of the soul along with other topic including morality, the "Social Quotient," "The Isness of God," language, consciousness.

Archival Resource Key. Spiritual Physics, 1953-1985.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes about the existence of spirits, the energy of life's essence.

Archival Resource Key. Television-Children-Advertising, 1942-1984.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Notes and writings, some annotated, on various topics: spiritual investments, meditations, "trying to evoke the spirit," women's rights, violence, entertainment, time, health, Reagan's economic policies.

Archival Resource Key. Travel, 1943-1960.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, printed materials, pamphlets about alternative living communities and communes--Kanegis and Lillian (his wife) made several inquiries about joining a commune throughout the 1940s and 50s. Topics include Celo Community, Celo, NC; Monteverde de Guacimal in Costa Rica; Communal Society of Brothers in Paraguay; Hutterites in South Dakota; various others.

Archival Resource Key. "Leon's Sayings" revisions, 1940-1992.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Progressive revisions of a numbered list of "Leon's Sayings," some copies with instructions to "mark the insights and sayings that are significant to you with a check mark. Mark with two check marks the ones that are very significant."

Archival Resource Key. Essays on Economic Subjects; Miscellaneous Papers, 1945-1952.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters about economic policy to politicians and newspaper editors; letter Eleanor Roosevelt to Lillian Kanegis; Letters to Lillian Kanegis from various officials about her winning essay and peace treaty writing contests; essays on economic subjects, with notes, by Leon and Lillian Kanegis.

Archival Resource Key. Peace Activity, 1969-1977.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, notes, printed material related to the draft, conscientious objectors, anti-militarism. Including materials from National Service Board for Religious Objectors.

Archival Resource Key. Messages in Quaker Meeting for Worship, 1968-1992.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Notes, letters to daughter Diana, recounting times Kanegis was moved to speak at meeting. Spiritual insights.

Archival Resource Key. Correspondence between Leon and Lillian, 1944-1951.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letters from Leon to Lillian, 1944-51 and undated; Leters Lillian to Leon 1943-50; holiday cards.

Archival Resource Key. Marriage to Lillian Hayman, 1943-1947.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the Clerk of the Marriage Court regarding the choice to get legally married, common law marriage. Correspondence with members of Florida Avenue Meeting for worship regarding marriage. Marriage invitations/announcements. Correspondence to friends and family members about early married life.

Archival Resource Key. Lillian H. Kanegis Spiritual Writings, 1932-1951.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Writings by Lillian Kanegis about spiritual topics including good will and the will to live; notes from Meeting; correspondence.

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous Personal Papers, 1932-1981.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

High school diploma, newspaper clippings, Leon's application to the University of Chicago, various correspondence, lottery ticket.

Archival Resource Key. Testimonials-Press Typewriter, 1971-1984.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Customer reviews and testimonials about Leon Kanegis's typewriter cleaning and servicing business. Yellow pages advertisement for the business.

Archival Resource Key. Spiritual Insights-Comments of Andrew von Salis, 1980.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Letter to Leon Kanegis: response of Andrew Von Salis to reading "Spiritual Insights and Sayings of Leon Kanegis," with the sayings he found meaningful copied out.

Archival Resource Key. Quaker Meeting, 1971-1981.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Notes on Meetings for Worship. Minutes and notes on various meetings for business, meetings of executive committees.

Archival Resource Key. Newspaper Clippings, Newsletters, etc. from Peace Activity, 1969-1974.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Materials about ending the war in Vietnam, strikes and marches, direct action campaigns, the draft. By Washington Friends Joint Peace Committee, Friends Journal, Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam, Washington Peace Center, New England Committee for Nonviolent Action, and others.

Archival Resource Key. Establishment of the Humane Society, 1969-1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Original composition 3/16/1969 of essay titled "The Establishment of the Humane Society" which details Kanegis' ideas about compassion and morality in society and proposes changes to current structures. (Does not mention the animal welfare charity the Humane Society). Revisions and some other writings on same topics.

Archival Resource Key. Writings, 1940-1942.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Mostly spiritual writings, some in numbered outline format rather than as essays. Some pieces have editing marks. Scripture Quotes.

Archival Resource Key. Notes on the Israel/Palestine Conflict, 1982.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes about the situation in Israel/Palestine; notes on interviews with General Hassan Jeru-Ahmed; condemnation of militarism in the conflict.

Archival Resource Key. Notes on "The Rightist Mind", 1970-1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes about speaking to conservatives and religious fundamentalists, their morals and whether it is possible to convince them.

Archival Resource Key. Note on Marriage, 1947-1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes and letters to friends on Kanegis' beliefs about marriage: sanctity, purpose, etc.

Archival Resource Key. Secular Activities, 1976-1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes about non-spiritual topics: including radical communists, freedom, race, "energy" (as in social energy or emotional energy), economics. Letters to George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter with administratve replies. Notes about Halloween.

Archival Resource Key. Notes on Inflation, 1971-1974.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes about inflation, recession, military spending as a cause of both. Draft of letter not sent to Senator George McGovern about same.

Archival Resource Key. Notes and Letters on I.R.S./Taxes, 1976-1992.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letter to his sister Frances about burden of increased taxes. Notes about tax policy, history, biblical precedent, difficulty of filing taxes, small business ownership.

Archival Resource Key. Capital Punishment/Secular Issues, 1976-1988.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes on capital punishment, letters to politicians condemning same. Notes on jury duty and correspondence about the publication of those notes in "Quaker Committee on Jails and Justice Newsletter." Notes about crime and society.

Archival Resource Key. Friends Journal-Ruth Kilpack, 1977-1990.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Copies of Friends Journal August 1980, April 1977, February 1975 with submissions from Leon Kanegis included. Letters to and from Ruth Kilpack, editor of Friends Journal, regarding submission of these and other works.

Archival Resource Key. Friends Journal-Correspondence, 1970-1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Letters between Jim Lenhart, editor of Friends Journal, and Leon Kanegis regarding Jim leaving the editorship of the jornal in 1977, Leon's submissions to the journal, spiritual insights and sayings, teaching. Copies of Friends Journal January 1/15 1980, April 1 1977, February 15, 1975.

Archival Resource Key. Correspondence with Lane Jennings, 1991.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with Lane Jennings about Kanegis's writings on the Humane Society, "Prelude to the Humane Society" (next folder in this box) and "Establishment of the Humane Society" (also in this box).

Archival Resource Key. Prelude to the Humane Society, 1976.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

One copy of 26-page essay (manuscript) "Prelude to the Humane Society" about human morality and values.

Archival Resource Key. Establishment of the Humane Society, 1973.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Full copy and partial copies with edits of 14-page essay (manuscript) "The Establishment of the Humane Society."

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Notes, 1940-1941.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Typed notes with handwritten addendums about various subjects: government, religion, spirituality, temptation, emotional needs.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Written Notes, 1940-1942.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Typed notes about war, peace, divine inspiration, militarism, baptism, interpersonal relationships. Several copies of most pages.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Written Notes, 1942.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Notes about sanctity of life, the nature of the soul, language, pacifism, good and evil. Copies of some notes from previous folder.

Archival Resource Key. Correspondence with Leona Glazer, 1934-1951.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to and from Leona Glazer about family developments, philosophy, conscientious objectors, mormonism. Several copies of some letters. Also included are valentines and other holiday cards.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Daughter Ruth, 1942-1977.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to his daughter Ruth (most of these are carbon copies) about her family, freedom, spirituality, her children and nursery school, Leon's marriage.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Arlene, 1974-1976.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to Arlene (?) about youth culture, drugs, spiritual "highs", marriage, God, Leon's spiritual journey.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Daughter Diana, 1971-1986.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to his daughter Diana (most of these are carbon copies; some are originals that may not have been sent) about experimentation and communal living, reincarnation, religion, peace, holidays, finances, age, home. Interesting to note: he signs the 11/11/1971 letter "Son, Leon"

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Son Arthur, 1965-68 and 1977.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to son Arthur (most of these are carbon copies) about Arthur's studies, holidays, family gatherings, Leon's health, communal living.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Wife Sylvia, 1966-1968.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to wife Sylvia about marriage, children, home, travel, daughter Diana's graduation, family friends, health.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Son Richard, 1967-1986.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to son Richard about Richard's schooling, Leon's role as a teacher and his frustrations, Leon's health, daughter Diana, home renovations, vacation to Hawaii with Sylvia, old age.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Step-Family, 1972-1974.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letter addressed to "family" about children, play, wildness, the Devil, the power of love. Letter unaddressed about youth, life energy, pain, spiritual journey, wildness.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Families, 1944-1986.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters to various families (including his own family and step-family, but also people he has ministered to or met through faith groups) mostly about spiritual matters, health.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Mother, 1968-1977.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to his mother, Rebecca (carbon copies of originals). Speaks about vacations, Sister Ruth's family (three foster children: Candy, Pat, Rosemary), his wife Sylvia's family, his pet goldfish, business, television, spirituality, Quaker meetings, leading Sunday school, his son Arthur's family.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Grandchildren, 1973-1983.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to his grandchildren Marla and Debra, and to his niece Jean about birthdays, school and learning, goodness, growing up, sharing.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Family, 1970-1984.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to family members and friends (John Wollestone, Opal Gooden) about health, etc.

Archival Resource Key. Correspondence with Marlene, 1974-1976.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to Marlene (and some to Marlene and Ronnie, her partner; some to Leon from Marlene) about family, parenthood, health, drugs, society.

Archival Resource Key. Brown/Hoffman Letters, 1939-1940.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to Leon from Vera Hoffman nee Brown, Leon's longtime friend about her marriage to Carl Hoffman, various life subjects. Photos of Vera, husband Carl, Leon.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to/about wife Sylvia, 1974-1981.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letter to Jesus by Sylvia about unhappy marriage. Notes by Leon about "basic incompatibility" with Sylvia, Sylvia's meanness. Letters to mother about same.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Others, 1965.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to various friends including Beatrice, Rob Meeropol, Ruth Belzer, Marlene and Ronnie DiMarzo, Jane Jennings, Governor Mandel, Senator McGovern. Letters to friends are about health, family, travels, spirituality. Letters to politicians are about militarism and protest.

Archival Resource Key. Vincent Daly, 1964.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and materials related to the trial of Vincent Daly: Daly was accused and convicted of false pretenses (falsely claiming that he was a psychiatrist when he had no medical degree). Daly was a psychologist who treated Leon's sons. Leon was a witness in Daly's defense.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Politicians, 1942.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Letters to various state and national politicians about militarism/military spending and other social issues. Also letters to various friends and acquaintances about similar political topics. Letters to Leon from various correspondents, including politicians to whom he had written. Newsletter of the National Capital Area Association of Friends.

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous Letters, 1966-1981.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

1981 Letter to General Romer Lucas Garcia of Guatemala about human rights, asking for early amnesty for political prisoners. 1966 handwritten notes about peace.

Archival Resource Key. House Military Affairs-Andrew May, 1945.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

3 copies of letter from Leon to Andrew J. May, chairman of House Military Affairs Committee 11/22/1945. Denouncing militarism.

Archival Resource Key. Letters and Cards, 1943-1992.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Invitations, thank-you cards, holiday cards, friendly notes addressed to Leon and family, from various people.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, Cards, etc. from and about Etta Sherman, 1954-1956.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Obituary for Etta L. Sherman, d. 2/7/1956 (possibly written by Leon), with other material compiled by him after her death: cards, personal tributes to her, newspaper clippings, correspondence.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to the Editor, 1973-1976.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters and copies of letters sent by Kanegis to the editors of various newspapers, to politicians, and to the ACLU. Some replies, mostly acknowledgements of receipt.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Ted Kennedy, 1974.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letter from Kanegis to Senator Ted Kennedy, including Kanegis' earlier writing against militarism and a reply to the same writing by Supreme Court Justice Willam O. Douglas. Reply from Kennedy.

Archival Resource Key. Supreme Court - Douglas, 1974-1976.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters from Kanegis to Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas (including letters not sent.) Reply from Douglas to letter 4/30/1974 condemning militarism. Newspaper clippings concerning Douglas, his health, his death.

Archival Resource Key. Congress-Letters and Replies, 1966-1975.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters from Kanegis to various members of Congress, most with replies. Topics include military spending, moon landing, impeachment of Richard Nixon, Vietnam war. Congress members include: Charles A. Mosher, Sam Gibbons, Ronald V. Dellums, George McGovern, Mark O. Hatfield, Donald W. Riegle, Charles McMathias, Henry S. Reuss, Thomas McIntyre, J.W. Fulbright; also Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Sister Frances, 1960-1984.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters from Kanegis to family members and wife Sylvia, mostly to his sister Frances. Three full notebooks of letters from 1961-2, more widely-spaced letters through 1984. Leters mostly discuss family matters, health and finances.

Archival Resource Key. Supreme Court, 1980.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letter from Kanegis to all 9 Supreme Court Justices condemning mandatory registration for the draft. Postal receipts showing date of delivery.

Archival Resource Key. President Johnson, 1965.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letter from Kanegis to President Lyndon B. Johnson condemning militarism. Reply from Paul M. Popple, assistant to the President. Filed with a letter to sister Frances with similar content.

Archival Resource Key. Letters: Not Identified, 1942-1977.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters to subjects not identified; some not adressed at all. Various topics: health, baptism, spirituality, nationalism and militarism.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to the Editor (unpublished), 1965-1985.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Letters to the Editor on topics including animal rights, government spending, militarism, others.

Archival Resource Key. To President Ford, 1974.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Progressive revisions of a letter to President Ford, sent 15 October 1974. Long letter (3 pages) about inflation, military spending, war, CIA.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, 1941-1978.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, 1979-1981.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, January-July.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, August-December.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, 1983.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to his Father, 1984-1985.
Box 8
Scope and Contents

Letters to his father, mostly about personal topics but also religion and politics.

Archival Resource Key. Prayer, 1975-1991.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Written prayer for Bonni Ogram. Notes and journal entry about prayer more generally.

Archival Resource Key. Meditations, 1944-1992.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Meditations: accounts of mystical feeling and the surrounding circumstances.

Archival Resource Key. Other Faiths, 1938-1985.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings by Kanegis about religion and spirituality. Correspondence with various religious leaders (Jewish and various Christian sectarians) and materials about different faiths. Organizations that published these materials include Church of Bretheren, Hapoel Hamizrachi of America, Knights of Columbus, Church of the Healing Christ.

Archival Resource Key. Humanity, 1972-1975.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Two writings about humanity. Describing current state of human society and the place of spirituality within.

Archival Resource Key. Personal Peace, 1972-1992.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Personal writings and journal entries about morality, interpersonal connection, the nature of Christianity, dealing with hardship, psychiatry.

Archival Resource Key. Running the Good Race, 1981-1991.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

1981 writing about the Devil as a driver of sin and ways to avoid his workings. Recomposed verion of same from 1991.

Archival Resource Key. States of Mind, 1975-1992.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings/journal entries describing Kanegis' personal states of mind and thoughts toward general life topics. Newspaper clippings with notes accompany some of the entries.

Archival Resource Key. Depression, 1957-1988.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings/journal entries describing his battle with depression, his methods of coping, his feelings of disconnection and loneliness.

Archival Resource Key. The Universe-Creation, 1972-1986.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings about topics including: the power of love, the nature of God, the universality of Quakerism, personal connection, physics, good and evil, sociology.

Archival Resource Key. Jottings, 1938-1992.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Various short notes, some typed: topics include violence, assault, morality, peace, militarism, Christianity, and love. Many undated.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Teachings, 1978, 1980, and 1985-1990.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Different versions of the Spiritual Insights and Sayings of Leon Kanegis, some copies marked up by others (the form instructs people to mark with one check mark the sayings that are significant, and with two check marks the ones that are very significant)

Archival Resource Key. Writings in Original Form: Book, 1940.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writing on topics of chivalry, beauty, works of Maupassant. Most pages are written on the reverse side of a newsletter (no title visible).

Archival Resource Key. Conscientious Objector Leslie Ann Cole, 1983.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Newspaper clippings of two high-profile conscientious objector cases: Leslie Ann Cole and Enten Eller. Leon's notes in response.

Archival Resource Key. Death, 1972-1980.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Letters of condolence to friends; personal writings about death, personal mortality, dealing with loss.

Archival Resource Key. Unaceptable Behavior, 1973-1977.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings condemning rape, cursing, pornography, corporal punishment.

Archival Resource Key. Capital Punishment, 1976.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writing (edited) condemning capital punishment.

Archival Resource Key. Law, Order, Freedom (Conscience), 1965-1974.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Letters from Kanegis to the principals of his children's schools excusing them from atomic drills and the cadet program. Writings about the right to life, conscience, freedom from suffering, conservatism.

Archival Resource Key. Peace and Pacifism, 1942-1984.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Writings about militarism and pacifism, the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Peace movement, guns, fear.

Archival Resource Key. Ministry Introspectives, 1975-1993.
Box 9
Scope and Contents

Personal reflections: recounting meaningful interactions, especially conversations about spirituality; summaries of religious thought; notes of thanks from others; writings on the nature of life.

Archival Resource Key. Massaging, 1975-1981.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Materials related to massage: writings about personal experiences, guides, diagrams of the musculature system.

Archival Resource Key. Black Book Atrocities--Nazi, 1945.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Letter from Kanegis to Jewish Black Book Committee opposing the publication of a book documenting Nazi atrocities (on the grounds that the book would be inflammatory and cause strife). Newspaper clippings about the book.

Archival Resource Key. Personal and Spiritual Health, 1953-1987.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Various longer writings about spirituality and mental health.

Archival Resource Key. Little Turtle of Happiness, 1971-1994.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Two notes of thanks to Leon for "little turtles of happiness." Scan from book of medicine cards about the significance of the turtle. Flyer for 1971 craft fair benefitting Quaker house and William Penn house.

Archival Resource Key. Religious Education, 1971-1974.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Notes and minutes from meetings of the Religious Education Comittee of Friends Meeting Washington. Summaries of responsibilities and goals of the committee, annual reports, letters to donors.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Youth/First Day of School, 1972-1977.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Writings about Leon's interactions with children, his teaching at the First Day School, and his own childhood.

Archival Resource Key. Bible Study/Teaching Children, 1973-1974.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Leon's notes about Bible study: notebook from Bible study class 1973; notes and writings about teaching the Bible to children; various other writings related to the Bible.

Archival Resource Key. Children as a Subject, 1968-1982.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Notes and writings about children and childhood, child abuse, children with disabilities, the rights of children and parents. Letters from Leon to his children and grandchildren, often warning them about the dangers of "wildness."

Archival Resource Key. Teaching, 1973-1986.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Material from Leon's time teaching Nursery/Day School and as a member of the Religious Education Committee with Friends Meeting of Washington. Notes from class lesson plans, attendance sheets, appointment materials, some material produced by students.

Archival Resource Key. Teaching Children, 1972-1976.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Material from Leon's time teaching First Day School: notes from Leon to students; progress reports written by Leon about the material he was teaching and the attitudes of the children; Leon's personal notes about nursery and other related subjects; art and poetry by children.

Archival Resource Key. Teaching Children, 1976-1984.
Box 10
Scope and Contents

Material from Leon's time teaching religious education to Junior Highschoolers: notes and letters to Son Arthur, letters to students, lesson plans, many writings about spiritual topics.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's "Brag Book", 1971-1990.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Compilation of personal compliments, kind notes, and letters of thanks from family, friends, students, clients. A note with the document says it could have been edited as late as 1993.

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous Writings 1, 1943-2002.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Materials by Kanegis gathered from the archives of Friends Meeting in Washington and sent as copies to Emma [Lapansky or Lapsansky?] in 2002. Personal notes and writings, some correspondence. Most of these are copies of material that appears elsewhere in the collection, but notable piece on vacation experiences from 1943.

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous Writings 2, 1936-1988.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Collected writings, including copies of things seen elsewhere in the collection and new writings about religion, homosexuality, spirituality, and life goals.

Archival Resource Key. Miscellaneous Writings 3, n.d.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Collected writings, mostly new material. Topics include private spirituality, the nature of God and Quakerism, moods, Easter, substance abuse, TV violence, politics.

Archival Resource Key. Excellent Personal Writings, 1944-1977.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Letters, journal entries, writings about personal/family topics, which Leon deemed "excellent." He mentions Lillian, his children Arthur and Ruth, his father. Also a letter to Gerald Ford about inflation.

Archival Resource Key. Original Items-Unidentified, n.d.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

2 items: newspaper clipping of article describing anti-vietnam protests in Washington, D.C. List of "Christian Endeavorers" ('who wish to meet...in a fellowship that knows not race nor station as boundaries") with names and addresses.

Archival Resource Key. Love, 1976-1992.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Leon's notes and personal writings about love: love, hope, dependency, psychic energy, affinity.

Archival Resource Key. Love (no stars), 1951-1976.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Writings and journal entries about love and loving interactions: the causes and impacts of love, the need for love in the world, etc. 3 different versions of "Junior High Begin Love," a longer work from 1976.

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Memorial, 37549.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Materials from Leon's memorial, held at Friends Meeting House in Washington. Memorial announcement, death notice from newspaper, photos of Kanegis which were shown at the service.

Archival Resource Key. Material for Memorial Minutes, 1984-2002.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Materials about Kanegis' life: recrds of him joining Washington Friends' meeting, other materials from the Meeting, some brief personal writings, biographical account, death wishes which were filed at the Meetinghouse, death notice for wife Sylvia.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, March-May.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, letters to son Arthur, sister Frances, foster brother Otto, father. Various personal topics, family health, news, spirituality.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, June-September.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, many letters to sister Frances. Discusses personal health, spiritual struggles, the nature of religon and God.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, October-January.
Box 11
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, letters to Sister Frances. Journal entries about spiritualism, holidays, family, Lillian Kanegis.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, March-October.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, letters to sister Frances, father, others. Describe stay at a nudist camp June 1962, Leon's marriage to Sylvia, family matters.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, October-February.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Journal entries, letters to daughter Ruth, sister Frances, wife Sylvia, daughter Phyllis. Describe the assassination of President Kennedy, father-daughter relationships, Ruth's marriage, other family events and issues.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, August-February.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Journal Entries, letters to daughter Ruth, son-in-law Bob, father Beatrice, wife Sylvia, sister Frances. topics include navigating family relations, childrens' schooling, the Peace Club, Vietnam war, traffic accident.

Archival Resource Key. Journal Entries and Letters, February-March.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Journal entries; Letters mostly to Sylvia, about being separated from her (Sylvia is on trip); but also letters to daughter Ruth and sister Frances about various family developments.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, March-April.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters mostly to Sylvia, some to sister Frances, about personal health, money problems, children, looking for work.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, April-August.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters to Sylvia, son Arthur, sister Frances, and some journal entries. Sylvia remains away from home, discussions of childrens' employment, summer holiday, Arthur's trip to Leningrad, USSR as part of a peace group.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, April-July.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters to various people not in the family, and also to father, son Richard, daughter Diana. Discussion of family events, including Richard's graduation from College.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, December.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters from Leon while on vacation to visit daughter Ruth and grandaughter Marla: mostly to Rebecca; describing family and vacation happenings.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, December-January.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters by Leon and others to various family members. Many to Rebecca, about family vacation and return home.

Archival Resource Key. Letters, December-March.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Letters by Leon to various including daughter Ruth, daughter Diana, son Arthur, father about family topics, health, militarism, religion.

Archival Resource Key. Lillian Kanegis: Compulsory Military Training, 1944-1951.
Box 12
Scope and Contents

Several copies of a writing by Lillian Kanegis entitled "Should The United States Adopt Peacetime Compulsory Military Training?" and related correspondence. A copy of another manuscript by Leon and Lillian entitled " Production Frontiers For Peace" and submitted to the Committee on Monograph Prizes at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Archival Resource Key. Defebio Letter Article, Picture, 1946-1951.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Correspondence by Lillian and Leon Kanegis to various political authorities (judges, senators, the President) regarding the conviction and imprisonment of Frank DeFebio as a conscientious objector: they were advocating for his release. Letter from Frank DeFebio to his wife Theo DeFebio from prison. DeFebio family photo, 1946. Newspaper articles related to Frank DeFebio's case, and to Theo DeFebio's political actions, and to the family's social and political actions.

Archival Resource Key. God/Nature Better Writings, 1942-1995.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Selection of spiritual writings by Leon Kanegis, some typed and some copied from writings that appear elsewhere in the collection. Topics include God, gravity, relationships

Archival Resource Key. Writings by Lillian Kanegis, 1943.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Letter from Lillian to Leon about their marriage ceremony, Quakerism and spirituality in general. Writing by Lillian titled "A Sunday Set Aside for National Prayer" which describes a meeting for worship at the end of World War II.

Archival Resource Key. Friends Meeting of Washington, 1942-1991.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Various material related to Leon's association and membership at Friends Meeting of Washington including letters that mention Meeting, journal entries about Meeting and religion more generally, pamphlets and correspondence produced by the meeting, holiday cards, and letters relating to Leon joining the meeting in 1984.

Archival Resource Key. Letters to Leon Kanegis, 1970-1976.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Two friendly letters to Leon Kanegis: from Frank Libby and Frank Holz

Archival Resource Key. Leon's Remarks, 1940-1993.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Writings, letters, other material largely about Leon's spiritual development and ideas about religion.

Archival Resource Key. Notecards, January 1940-July 1943.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Notecards containing notes on various topics--similar in style to the notes and writings elswehere in the collection.

Archival Resource Key. Notecards, July 1942-October 1943 and n.d.
Box 13
Scope and Contents

Notecards containing notes on various topics--similar in style to the notes and writings elswehere in the collection.

Archival Resource Key. Notebook "Arthur", December-January.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Composition notebook with general journal entries and spiritual reflections.

Archival Resource Key. Notebook "Seeking", Feb-April.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Composition notebook with notes and writings on children and the house as well as letters to sister Frances.

Archival Resource Key. Notebook untitled, April-July.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Composition notebook mostly full of letters to sister Frances, but also spiritual writings and other journal entries.

Archival Resource Key. Notebook untitled, September-November.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Composition with letters to sister Frances and others, and notes on Christian Science, Divine Science, and other faiths.

Archival Resource Key. Notebook "Diana Kanegis", November-March.
Box 14
Scope and Contents

Composition notebook mostly full of letters to Frances. Also notes on various topics. Diana Kanegis' name is on the cover but Leon is the author.

Archival Resource Key. Book of Mormon.
Volume 1
Scope and Contents

Book heavily annotated by Leon Kanegis.

Archival Resource Key. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Volume 2
Scope and Contents

Book heavily annotated by Leon Kanegis.

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