Kindred Spirits of Conblo, 1927-1931 | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

By Jen Vos

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Collection Overview

Title: Kindred Spirits of Conblo, 1927-1931

Predominant Dates:1927-1931

ID: CU/C14/003

Primary Creator: Kindred Spirits of Conblo (1927-1931)

Extent: 1.0 Items. More info below.

Date Acquired: 09/01/2022

Languages: English

Abstract

The “Kindred Spirits of Conblo,” or “Conblo” was an unofficial student organization or fraternity that existed in the late 1920s – early 1930s. This collection consists of a metal urn with the name of the organization and a list of its members. Also a part of the collection is a compilation of research about the organization.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of one item, a metal urn (Artifact 52), and a compilation of research about it. The urn is a rare piece of primary evidence for the existence of this group and a list of its members.

Collection Historical Note

The “Kindred Spirits of Conblo” or perhaps just “Conblo” was an unsanctioned student group that existed some time in the late 1920s – early 1930s. The second student dormitory was completed in 1924. This made room for a growing population of students, including students from outside the Grand Rapids area. As student life on campus developed, several student organizations formed. Sanctioned student organizations such as the Phytozoon Society and the Knicker Klub registered with the administration, had an assigned faculty member sponsor, and appeared in the Prism. Unsanctioned organizations such as the Kindred Spirits of Conblo or “The Friggers” operated like a secret society and did not appear in official Calvin publications.

The urn in this collection is undated but has a list of what are presumably the members of the society which are as many as 16. The list is comprised of nicknames as follows: Pete, Stob, Jans, Dobbin, Bill, Dolphin, Jack, Beetle, Brinkie, Roach, Red, Tip, Adie, Peo, Kid, and Dutch. Jans has been identified as the donor’s father, Ted Jansma. Tip has been identified as the donor’s relative, Syd Youngsma (see Coll/342). Other identifications include Brinkie as J Herbert Brink and tentative identification of Pete as Peter De Vries (see Coll/069).

This group is briefly mentioned in the book, Offering Hearts, Shaping Lives: A History of Calvin College 1876-1966 by Henry Ryskamp in Chapter 9: Faculty and Student Relationships. The subsection “Students” names a few of the members: Peter De Vries, Red Huiner, and Syd Youngsma and refers to a group as “Conblas.”

Biographical Note

An "unofficial fraternity" or unsanctioned student organization that existed at Calvin College some time in the late 1920s - early 1930s.

Administrative Information

Repository: Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Alternate Extent Statement: 1 item and 1 folder

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research use within Heritage Hall.

Acquisition Source: Gretchen Brink

Acquisition Method: Donation

Related Materials:

Coll/069 Peter De Vries Collection 1910 - 1996

Coll/342 Sydney Youngsma Collection 1954 - 1975

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1271],
[Item 52: Kindred Spirits of Conblo urn],
[All]

Box 1271

Folder 1: Research related to Artifact 52, “Kindred Spirits of Conblo” urn

Item 52: Kindred Spirits of Conblo urn

Oversized object, stored on top of shelf next to artifact boxes