Mabel Harris Papers, 1888-1945

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia State University
Johnston Memorial Library
Virginia State University
P.O. Box 9406
1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, Virginia 23806
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Juan-Pablo Gonzalez
Phone: (804) 524-6945
Phone: (804) 524-5582
Fax: (804) 524-6959
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions to this collection.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions to this collection.

Preferred citation:

Mabel Harris Papers, 1888-1945, Accession #1945-5, Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Summary

Creator:
These materials were collected by the late Luther Porter Jackson in 1945.
Abstract:
This collection contains business, personal, and legal correspondence of the 1889 Normal Graduates of Virginia State University. Miss Harris taught in the public schools in Petersburg until her retirement.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Mabel Harris Papers, 1888-1945, Accession #1945-5, Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

Most of the materials in this collection pertain to Miss Harris' uncle, the Reverend Mr. Henry Williams. There are a few items from friends, basically discussing personal business and/or inquiring as to her health and other activities. The materials are useful for local history, women's history and the history of education.

Letters and postcards, mostly personal, all incoming.

Teaching contracts for Petersburg Public Schools, 1880s-1890s

This collection contains 3 documents: Savings Book for the Peoples Bank of Petersburg; an account of the holdings of the Old Dominion Investment Company; A true Reformer Insurance Policy.

City & state tax receipts

There are 2 photographs in this collection, one sent from a member of the Tenth United States Calvary (Buffalo Soldiers), stationed in Cuba.

One hand bill for Camilla Williams

Biographical / historical:

Mabel Harris was born in Petersburg, Virginia in 1867. Information about her early life is not well documented. She was at the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (now Virginia State University) in 1886, taking a normal degree three years later. She began her career in the Petersburg Public School system in 1890. Miss Harris retired in 1931. She was very active in local church affairs and the Virginia State University Alumni Association. She was the first female to be appointed editor of the Alumni Journal for the University, in 1898.

Arrangement:

Series I. Correspondence
Series II. Legal Documents
Series III. Financial
Series IV. Tax Recepits
Series V. Writing
Series VI. Photographs
Series VII. Printed Material

Arranged chronologically, from 1888-1945.

Physical description:
There are c. 200 items in this collection.