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.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Preferred Citation:
Martha Barksdale Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
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.
[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.
Mildred Barksdale Papers (UA 5.060); Virginia Hinkins Scrapbook (UA 5.081); Catherine Dennis Papers (UA 5.004); Janet Kimbrough
Interview in the University Archives Oral History Collection (UA 43).
[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."
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 2 id15810
Photocopy and Transcription of Diary
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 3 id15811
Gymnastic Peoples College Diploma
1926
Scope and Contents
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."
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 4 id15812
Faculty Information Form
1938
Scope and Contents
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
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id15813
Volumes
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id15814
Photo Album (gift to Florrie in 1892) filled with cartes de visite and cabinet cards.
Mixed Materials Box: 1 folder: 5 id15815
Photo album containing black and white photos of family, friends, and farm scenes
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