Connors, Kenneth , July 7, 1997

File

Identifier: BCOH 079

Staff Only

Scope and Contents note

In this interview Mr. Conner discusses a number of topics: local schools he attended; teachers he had including those who were Bates graduates and classmates who also went on to Bates; his experiences and activities while at Bates including his involvement with the English 4A Players and the management of the movies at Chase Hall; anecdotes of several professors including William Hartshorn, A. Craig Baird, Grosvenor Robinson and Frank Tubbs; also discusses his interactions and long friendship with Harry W. Rowe; his experiences managing movie theaters in Lewiston and Auburn and New England; his work with the United Fund and for Ray Geiger at Geiger Brothers; his alumni activities including “irregular” class reunions and anecdotes of several distinguished classmates including Gladys Hasty Carroll, Erwin Canham, Dorothy Clarke Wilson, Meredith Burrill, Alice Swanson Esty and Euterpe Boukis Dukakis.

Dates

July 7, 1997

Access Restrictions

Access to some interviews may be restricted. Contact staff for further information.

Biographical note

Charles Kenneth Conner was born on December 4, 1903 in Auburn, Maine. After graduating from Edward Little High School he entered Bates College, graduating in 1925. Mr. Conner’s first career was managing movie theaters in Lewiston and Auburn and other towns in New England including the Empire theater in Lewiston from 1929-1964. He left the theater business in 1964 to become manager of the book and almanac department of Geiger Brothers, publishers of the Farmer’s Almanac. Mr. Conner remained at Geiger Brothers for 24 years, retiring in 1988. He has been past president and campaign chair of the United Fund, a trustee of Central Maine General Hospital (Central Maine Medical Center) and past president of the Auburn Public Library. He has also been active in Bates alumni affairs serving many years as the president and secretary of the class of 1925.