Records of Joseph S. McElheran, Master of Music at the Yorkshire School for the Blind

Newspaper cuttings book, examination results book, scrapbook with notes on programmes of concerts, David McElheran's notes about Joseph McElheran (his father) and the Yorkshire School for the Blind, and original photographs from the album of Joseph McElheran showing pupils and school outings.

Joseph Samuel McElheran was born in Chatham, Kent, on 26th April 1900. McElheran, who was registered blind, studied music at Henshaw’s School for the Blind in Manchester. A qualified organist, McElheran taught music at Henshaw’s before taking up the post of Assistant Master of Music under Reginald Rose at the Yorkshire School for the Blind at the King’s Manor, York, in 1923. After the retirement of Rose, McElheran served as Master of Music at the school until its closure in 1956. McElheran taught piano and organ to the pupils and held a regular programme of recitals and concerts, often performing with respected local musicians. Joseph S. McElheran met his wife Hilda Veale, a fellow teacher at the Yorkshire School for the Blind, and the couple were married in 1928. They had three children. McElheran was also the church organist at St Michael-le-Belfrey in York and served as president of the York & District Organists’ Association in 1957-8. He died in York on 11th February 1971.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws., 24 hours' notice is required to access photographic material.

The archive was deposited at the Borthwick Institute in 2016.

Joseph Samuel McElheran was born in Chatham, Kent, on 26th April 1900. McElheran, who was registered blind, studied music at Henshaw’s School for the Blind in Manchester. A qualified organist, McElheran taught music at Henshaw’s before taking up the post of Assistant Master of Music under Reginald Rose at the Yorkshire School for the Blind at the King’s Manor, York, in 1923. After the retirement of Rose, McElheran served as Master of Music at the school until its closure in 1956. McElheran taught piano and organ to the pupils and held a regular programme of recitals and concerts, often performing with respected local musicians. Joseph S. McElheran met his wife Hilda Veale, a fellow teacher at the Yorkshire School for the Blind, and the couple were married in 1928. They had three children. McElheran was also the church organist at St Michael-le-Belfrey in York and served as president of the York & District Organists’ Association in 1957-8. He died in York on 11th February 1971.

The archive has not yet been catalogued.

Created by S. Kent 01.11.2016

A reprographics service is available to researchers subject to the access restrictions outlined above. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

Further accruals are not expected.

The archive of the Wilberforce Memorial, held at the Borthwick Institute, includes material relating to the establishment of the Yorkshire School for the Blind, general administrative material including account books and the minute books of various committees, pupil records including admission forms and registers, and photographs and slides of the school, staff and pupils.
Further records concerning Yorkshire School for the Blind, including annual reports, 1947-1955; correspondence files, 1950s; and other legal and financial papers, 20th century, can be found in the Records of Munby & Scott, solicitors of York, at the Borthwick Institute.
A minute book which includes a record of the joint meeting between Henshaw's Society for the Blind and the Yorkshire School for the Blind in 1956 concerning the transfer of the remaining students at York to Manchester is held by the University of Manchester Library. It is part of the collection, 'Records of Henshaw's Society for the Blind.'

Published

GB193