Marian Colton Smith Harris Papers, 1932/1938

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collection Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Marian Colton Smith Harris Papers, 1932-1938, SC 0186, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Summary

Extent:
0.06 cubic feet 1 folder
Creator:
Harris, Marian Colton Smith, 1913-2003
Abstract:
This collection contains memorabilia from the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg including letters, a teaching contract, application for teaching, and photographs.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Marian Colton Smith Harris Papers, 1932-1938, SC 0186, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Background

Scope and content:

The Marian Colton Smith Harris Papers, 1932-1938, consists of one folder. This collection offers a few insights into life and social customs on campus in the 1930s. Comprising the collection are cards from the freshmen and senior classes, a postcard home requesting money, a telegram from the class of 1933, commencement invitations for 1933 and 1935, an undated invitation to tea off campus, a 1935 placement form for teaching, teaching contracts for 1935 and 1938, and miscellaneous ephemera. Includes two undated photographs relating to the Glee Club.

Of particular interest is a racist initiation invitation for the Lee Literary Society addressed to "Miss Smith" from Lucille Keeton, then secretary of the society. The date of Spring 1932 is applied to this document due to contextual clues, specifically that Keeton was the society's secretary at that time.

Biographical / historical:

Marian Colton Smith (1913-2003) was from Norwood, Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Smith. She attended Glen-Nor High School and enrolled in Madison College upon graduation. She was a 1935 graduate from Madison College with a degree in education. She was also president of her class. She married Mr. Thomas "Tommie" W. Harris on July 8, 1939, and later moved with him to North Carolina, where he had attended the North Carolina State University.

Acquisition information:
Received from Alumni Relations in May 2003.
Processing information:

Paper residue found on the back of materials suggest that this collection was likely once a scrapbook that was subsequently disassembled.

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in 2017-2018. This collection was previously cataloged as SC 5008.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in one folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard