Louise Fontaine Baker Letter

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 open to 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 Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Louise Fontaine Baker Letter, 2004, SC 0065, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.06 cubic feet 1 letter folder
Creator:
Baker, Louise Fontaine, 1907-2011
Abstract:
The Louise Fontaine Baker Letter, 2004, is comprised of a five-page facsimiled account of Baker's life including her time as a student during the 1920s at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Louise Fontaine Baker Letter, 2004, SC 0065, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Louise Fontaine Baker Letter, 2004, is comprised of a five-page facsimiled account of Baker's life including her time as a student during the 1920s at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. In her account, Baker describes coming to campus to register: "My father accompanied me on the train to register for college. We passed a campus with stark grey stones ("Grey Stone hill" – in college song). I thought I was passing the Mental Institution in Staunton!" Of particular interest is Baker's description of her roommates: "My first roommates proved to be disasters! One became pregnant and had to leave school and the next one developed TB – which required me to be fully examined." Baker goes on to describe her teaching career, other universities she attended, and traveling.

Biographical / historical:

Louise Fontaine Baker was born April 13, 1907 in Washington, DC to Dr. Maury Davidson Baker and Irene Dunn Baker. She attended the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1926, though it is unclear for how many years she was a student. While a student, her permanent residence is listed as Richmond. Baker was a member of the 1926-1927 graduating class, having taken professional courses.

Louise Fontaine Baker was born April 13, 1907 in Washington, DC to Dr. Maury Davidson Baker and Irene Dunn Baker. She attended the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1926, though it is unclear for how many years she was a student. While a student, her permanent residence is listed as Richmond. Baker was a member of the 1926-1927 graduating class, having taken professional courses.

Acquisition information:
In February 2004, Louise Fontaine Baker sent a letter of her reminiscences of her life and of being a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg to James Katzman, president of the JMU Alumni Association. It came by way of a Montpelier magazine reply envelope and was intercepted by Michelle Hite, Assistant Editor of Montpelier magazine. Hite sent a facsimile of Baker's letter to Chris Bolgiano, Special Collections Librarian.
Processing information:

In order to streamline the process of applying collection numbers, Special Collections staff completed a large-scale renumbering campaign in the spring of 2017. This collection was previously cataloged as SU 2004-0904.

Arrangement:

The letter is housed in one letter folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard