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PHOTOGRAPHS

 Series
Identifier: 7

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Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The May Bennett Harshbarger papers date from 1898 to 1993 and measure 1 linear foot. The papers are arranged in eight series: Clubs, Correspondence, Farm Account Books, Memorabilia, Scrapbooks & Newspaper Clippings, Writings, Photographs, and Diplomas. The bulk of the collection consists of farm account books, detailing sales and expenditures incurred while running the family farm. There is little biographical information except for a reminiscence written by May Bennett Harshbarger's son, Laurence H.Harshbarger, in 1993.

The first series, Clubs (1943-1960), consists of newspaper articles detailing the history of the Goldenrod Magazine Club and the Mothers' Club. Included is an outline for the Mothers' Club Yearbook for 1933 written by May Harshbarger.

Correspondence (1901-1947,scattered) is scant, consisting of a few letters to the editor by May BennettHarshbarger, an incoming letter from May Harshbarger's daughter Helen, and a letter "written to a cousin" from a serviceman stationed in Manila in1901. Included is a letter Harshbarger wrote in 1945 to the Farm Bureau Reading Project outlining her work on advancing the curriculum among rural schools.

The Farm Account Books series (1911-1950) is comprised of ledgers from both the farm and the household. The entries illustrate the duality of Harshbarger's life as farmer and homemaker. Included are mention of food, medical, clothing, fuel, insurance, taxes, veterinary care, rent, charity club donations, poultry business, labor, cattle and horse feed and machinery. "Harry's last expenses" detail her husband's burial in 1926.

Memorabilia (1906-1959)includes a booklet describing the Carroll County Normal Institute, articles of incorporation of the Farmers Cooperative Association, and ribbons and judging protocol of the 1940 Iowa State Fair. Also included are diplomas from Carroll County Rural Schools and the Normal Institute.

Scrapbooks and Newspaper Clippings (1898-1959) consist primarily of clippings either collected or written by Harshbarger. The bulk of these pertain to the promotion of rural schools. One of the scrapbooks (1898-1910), compiled while she was teaching school, includes games and learning exercises she used as part of her curriculum. Included among the loose items are a true story Harshbarger wrote for the Des Moines Register in 1934, and a poem she authored about the Louden back school picnic in 1949.

Writings (1942-1952, 1993) is comprised of 13 pieces written by May Bennett Harshbarger, primarily relating to reading and writing for children and adults. One short piece entitled "A Family History In Pictures"contains some autobiographical material.  Also included in this series is a piece written by Harshbarger's son, Laurence, in 1993 about his mother.

Photographs (1903-1960) include group photographs of the Goldenrod Magazine Club, the Mothers' Club, the Laudenbach school reunion, and May Bennett Harshbarger at 23 and 80 years of age.

Dates

  • Creation: 1898-1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 12.00 linear inches

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)