Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Provenance

Per the inscription in the inside cover, the 1953-2007 scrapbook was donated by Tresa Quarles. This is likely in reference to her assumed donation to the Alumni Association.

Preferred Citation

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Tresa Quarles Papers, 1952-2008, SC 0048, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information

The 1953-2007 scrapbook was transferred to Special Collections, likely by the James Madison University Alumni Association, at an unknown date. A second donation was received in February 2021. It comprised a second scrapbook, photographs, newspaper clippings, and report cards. This donation was made by Suzanne Vance, family friend of Quarles and former JMU employee.

Processing Information

The six typed pages of reminiscences were originally tucked inside the 1953-2007 scrapbook. They were removed and foldered separately.

Appraisal

The February 2021 donation included a personalized stein and 50th anniversary picture frame that were not retained.

Bio/Historical Information

Tresa Florence "Tish" Quarles (1934-2020), a native of Buchanan, Virginia, matriculated at Madison College in 1953. During her time as a student, Quarles was active in student organizations, extracurricular activities, and extramural sports. Specifically, Quarles was a member of Pi Kappa Sigma, Athletic Association, Cotillion Dance Club, Mercury Club, YWCA, and Field Hockey (Blue Ridge Hockey Tournament). She exhibited leadership as Dormitory President, Sportsleader, Recreation Leader, and Sophomore Class Sergeant-at-Arms. Quarles graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She went on to teach health and physical education at several Virginia high schools including Harrisonburg High School (HHS). Quarles taught at HHS from 1966 until her retirement in 1989. She is a member of the HHS Hall of Fame due to her outstanding contributions as a coach of numerous girls sports.

After Quarles retired from teaching and coaching, she entered Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg and went on to serve as a pastor at Linville United Church of Christ and St. Stephen's United Church of Christ in Harrisonburg.

Scope and Content

The Tresa F. Quarles Papers, 1952-2008, comprise two scrapbooks containing captioned photographs, correspondence, and ephemera documenting Quarles' time as a student at Madison College and as an alumni. The collection also includes loose photographs, newspaper clippings, a selection of Quarles's report cards from Madison College, and her class beanie. Also included are six typed reminiscences written by Quarles in which she recalls highlights from her time at Madison College.

The scrapbook contains photographs of Quarles and her classmates on and around campus, pamphlets and programs related to university events, photocopied newsclippings from The Breeze , Athletic Association Handbooks, felt patches, ribbons, and ephemera related to Quarles' participation in field hockey. Much of the contents in the scrapbook is captioned.

Of particular interest is a letter dated December 6, 1955 addressed to Quarles from Catherine Howard, Secretary of the Student Government Association. Howard alerted Quarles that she was being placed on "plain campus" for participating in a panty raid. A student placed under plain campus regulations was required to "forfeit trips to Doc's, Dairy Rite, Kile's service station just off campus, and trips to town and out of town." Similarly, Quarles received one "call down" for making use of "1:00 permission without requesting a permission slip from Dean Wilkins."

The photographs primarily document Quarles's time as a student, with classmates, and while engaging in athletic pursuits. The photos also cover Quarles's time as a coach and teacher at Harrisonburg High School.

Quarles' reminiscences comprise humorous anecdotes in which she discusses professors John McElreath, Celeste Ulrich, Marjorie Tate, Raymond Cool, and Stephen Bosckey.

Arrangement

The scrapbooks remain bound. The collection is arranged chronologically.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Beanies
• Education, Higher -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- History
• Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
• James Madison University -- Students -- History
• Letters (correspondence)
• Madison College -- Alumni and alumnae
• Madison College -- History
• Madison College -- Sports
• Madison College -- Students
• Madison College -- Students -- Social life and customs
• Newspaper clippings
• Photographs
• Printed Ephemera
• Programs (documents)
• Reminiscences
• Report Cards
• Scrapbooks
• Universities and colleges -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- History