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Llewellyn L. Cayvan Collection, 1950-1966

Collection Overview

Title: Llewellyn L. Cayvan Collection, 1950-1966

ID: COLL/036

Creator: Cayvan, Llewellyn L. (1879-1966)

Extent: 1.0 Box. More info below.

Arrangement: Folder level description

Abstract

Chemist with the Hekman Biscuit Company, musician, and benefactor to the music department of Calvin College. The collection includes annotated listings of music for stringed instruments, harmony workbook, annotated music, clippings, biographical files, documents, letters to Harriet (De Waard) Seely and Arlene (Liepitz) Smith in which Cayvan shares his love for music and tells about the Saturday Night Student Musicals.

Biographical Note

Food chemist and music enthusiast, Llewellyn L. (Leo) Cayvan was a generous benefactor to the Calvin College music department.  A native of Boston, Cayvan was born in 1879. Cayvan’s interest in music began at 4 years old when he began to play the violin. He played in the Boston Symphony Orchestra and later in life in the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a food chemist. In 1900, Cayvan started his career in the baking business in Chicago. By 1925, Cayvan accepted a position at the Hekman Biscuit Company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While living in Grand Rapids, Cayvan became interested in Calvin College’s music program. He became very involved with the music students, even holding Saturday afternoon chamber music sessions at his home. He also donated his instruments and his extensive collection of recordings and sheet music. His late wife, Alice, was also very fond of music playing the viola and timpani. Cayvan passed away in 1966, leaving behind his second wife, Winona.

Administrative Information

Alternate Extent Statement: 0.50 cubic ft.

Acquisition Source: Gift of L.L. Cayvan.


Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Benefactor to Calvin College Music Department
Box 1
Folder 1: Biography of Uncle Leo Cayvan 1879-1966; presented to Calvin, October 20-21 --- 1966
Folder 2: Boston Melodeon, a collection of secular melodies with four-part harmony
Folder 3: Cayvan's "Harmony" workbook
Folder 4: Complete Method for Violin, by Julius Eichberg --- 1876
Folder 5: Letters to Arlene Liepitz, former student
Folder 6: Letters to Harriet --- 1950-1966
Folder 7: List of records donated to Calvin College by Winona Cayvan --- 1981
Folder 8
Item 1: News clippings --- 1966
Item 2: Copy of his bequest
Item 3: Annotated string bibliography
Item 4: Grand Rapids Press editorial at Cayvan's death
Item 5: Funeral home folder
Item 6: Calvin Prism, dedicated to Mr. Cayvan --- 1960
Folder 9: Two personal stamps, "L. L. Cayvan"
Folder 10: Calvin Spark Summer 2008, "Llewellyn L. Cayvan", "Now, Strings Attached"
Folder 11: Letters from Ellis B. Porter --- 1913, 1915
Folder 12: Letter to Mrs. Cayvan
Series 2: Book
Item 1: The Violin Makers of Bohemia by Karel Jalovec placed in Calvin College Music Department, Fine Arts Center.
Series 3: Photographs
Item 1: Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra with Mr. Cayvan, first chair cello
Item 2: Calvin College Orchestra, Cayvan as assistant