Administrative Information

Access

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Use Restrictions

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Preferred Citation

Hartshorn Memorial College Reunion Collection, MS-0006 , Archives and Special Collections Department, L. Douglas Wilder Library, Virginia Union University

Acquisition Information

Received from Emma Wesley Brown, 07 February 1980.

Processing Information

Collection processed in November 1980.

Biographical/Historical Information

Hartshorn Memorial College was founded by Joseph C. Hartshorn of Rhode Island in memory of his late wife, Rachel, "for the purpose of raising up a body of thoroughly educated Christian women." The school was chartered by the Legislature of Virginia on March 13, 1884. It was located at 1600 West Leigh Street in Richmond, incorporating some of the land and buildings of the old Bowe plantation. Although the grade levels taught varied over the years, at one time or another grades one through college were taught, including a Normal course. In 1922, Hartshorn coordinated their college courses with Virginia Union University, a cooperation that ended in June 1928. After that time Hartshorn only offered high school courses as it struggled financially during the Depression. In 1932, Hartshorn merged with Virginia Union.

Scope and Content Information

The collection consists mainly of correspondence and minutes of meetings regarding the planning of two reunions of Hartshorn alumnae. The bulk of the collection covers the years 1977 to 1979. The reunion organizers seemed to be concerned not only with seeing former classmates and old friends, but with arranging an elegant and special event to remember. Like many of her fellow alumnae, Dr. Brown took pride in Hartshorn's history and donated these materials to the library at Virginia Union with the hope that "they will be helpful for anyone doing research on Hartshorn or Union."

The correspondence is largely letters from reunion organizers and alumnae to Dr. Brown. The planning materials include tourist information, hotel menus and alumnae lists. The 1977 memory book is a bound copy of alumnae "resumes" that were compiled for the reunion. The 1979 memory book includes the "resumes" of alumnae that were not in the 1977 book, as well as a brief historical background of Hartshorn. The few clippings are publicity for the reunions and obituaries of alumnae. Also included in the clippings file are Hartshorn/Union mementos including a postcard and copies of the alma mater.

Arrangement

Collection arranged by subject.