Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access:

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:

Travel Diary to Alaska, Caribbean, and Mexico, 1968-1974, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Scope and Contents

About 55 pages of a diary by Nina Blodgett recorded during three trips spanning 1968-1974.  The first trip was a guided tour to Alaska July 2-20, 1968 where Blodgett describes landscapes, glaciers, travel logistics with her group, and sleeping arrangements.  She also describes the late sunset, people near her catching a 165+ pound halibut, and view of Native American dances.

The second trip was a Caribbean Grange tour, February 1-14, 1974.  On this trip Blodgett visits many Caribbean islands from the "Stella Solaris" cruise ship.  These places include Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela, Curacao, and Haiti.  Her recordings comment on women working alongside men, washing clothes in a river, and carrying loads on their heads.

The third trip is to California and Mexico (via Chicago) November 13-30, 1974.  On this trip Blodgett writes about touring Chicago in a Dome Car, a visit to Yosemite National Park, riding cable cars in San Francisco, and a train ride to Los Angeles.  From there they fly to "Alcopulco" then on to Taxco with a guide, Ramon Cortez.  While in Mexico, Blodgett also sees Cuernavaca and Mexico City.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Alaska--Description and travel--20th century
• California--Description and travel--20th century
• Caribbean Area--Description and travel.