Martha Barksdale Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Since the Martha Barksdale diary is fragile, researchers are required to use either the digital verison,the photocopy, or the transcription of the diary.

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Martha Barksdale Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
1.20 Linear Feet
Creator:
Barksdale, Martha, 1900-1974 and Chamings, Dorothy Thurza Louise, d. 1958
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Martha Barksdale Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

[NOTE: Since the Martha Barksdale diary is fragile, researchers are required to use either the digital verison, the photocopy, or the transcription of the diary.]

The papers include Martha Barksdale's diary for 1918-1919, recording her experiences as a member of the first class of women at William and Mary. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs that document student activities and women's sports at the college from her student years to her teaching career. The bulk of the photographs date from the 1920s-1940s.

[NOTE: Since the diary is fragile, researchers are required to use either the digital verison, the photocopy, or the transcription of the diary.]

In her diary, Martha Barksdale recorded the events of her first year at college as a member of the first class of women to enter the College of William and Mary. The entry for 26 November 1918 reads: "[...] were quarrentined for Spanish influenza. This was a good thing for us. None of the girls had it so we used our time in getting well acquainted. We had met none of the boys and the quarrentine served to make them want to meet us."

The diploma from Gymnastic Peoples College in Ollerup, Denmark, reads: "Martha Elizabeth Barksdale has successfully completed the six weeks summer course for American women teachers of physical education and is hereby endorsed as an exponent of fundamental gymnastics in America."

Two Pages. Completed form for Martha Barksdale, giving her department and title; degrees held and other education; date and place of birth and parents' names; clubs and fraternities; publications; hobbies; teaching experience; other positions held

As a student in her basketball uniform.

Biographical / historical:

Martha Elizabeth Barksdale, a native of Redlands, Virginia, entered the College of William and Mary in 1918 as a member of the first class to include women. Barksdale worked to establish an intercollegiate sports program for women as a student and continued this work as a faculty member. After graduating, Barksdale was appointed to teach in the newly-established Department of Women's Physical Education. She received her M.A. in Physical Education from William and Mary in 1929. Barksdale lived in Williamsburg for fifty-six years and was a founder of the Williamsburg Community Council. She was also an organizer of the Williamsburg Auxiliary for Patrick Henry Hospital and helped to establish the hospital's therapy program.

Acquisition information:
Acc. 1985.54 was received in 1985.