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James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
820 Madison DriveTiffany Cole
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[Identification of item], [box #, folder #], Louise Fontaine Baker Letter, 2004, SC 0065, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The letter is housed in one letter folder.
The original letter was retained by Michelle Hite, Assistant Editor of Montpelier magazine.