Contents

Collection Overview

Historical Note

Scope and Contents of the Collection

Board of Trustees Records, 1877-[ongoing]

Finding Aid

Finding aid prepared by Tiffany Tawzer.

© 2006

Historical Note

The Board of Trustees governs many aspects of the college, including financial decisions. Members include the President of the College, the President of the Alumnae Association, the head of student government, alumnae trustees elected by the Alumnae Association, and other regular members elected by the Board of Trustees.

Harriet (Bliss) Ford graduated from Smith College in 1899. She served as the first chairman of the Alumnae Fund Committee and as a director of the Alumnae Association before becoming a trustee of the college in 1928. She was the first resident trustee, and lived at the college from 1931 until the end of her term in 1936. Harriet Ford also participated in national service organizations, such as the American Red Cross and YWCA, was chairman of the Paris committee of the Smith College Relief Unit in France, and was a civic leader in the city of Northampton until her death in 1964.

Dorothy Nepper Marshall graduated from Smith College in 1935, and went on to receive her PhD from Bryn Mawr College. She was a dean at Bryn Mawr for more than twenty years, before moving to work for UMass Boston. She held the position of vice-chancellor there for several years, and was considered to be one of the highest-ranking women in education. She held many trusteeships, including the Ford Foundation, Holy Cross College, and Smith College. She was trustee of Smith from 1959-1969, and then again as Chairman from 1975 until her retirement in 1980.

Charlotte (Cheever) Tucker graduated from Smith College in 1891. She was a trustee of the college from 1889-1895.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Board of Trustees records contain materials describing the function, duties, and organization of the Smith College Board of Trustees, including the by-laws, as well as information on various members throughout college history. The collection contains records of such activities as building construction, college planning, committees, promotion and tenure, and the election of a new president. The collection includes an alphabetical listing of trustees, as well as more detailed information on several individuals. Types of materials include extensive correspondences, such as letters and memos, newsletters, pamphlets, lists of trustees, by-laws, and newspaper articles.

The Harriet (Bliss) Ford individual files contain materials describing her activities as a trustee of the college, member of the Alumnae Association, and civic leader. The materials cover the tour of the country she made as a trustee speaking to prospective students and alumnae clubs. Types of materials include extensive correspondences, publications, articles, and poetry by Harriet Ford, photographs, newspaper articles, and speeches.

The Dorothy Nepper Marshall individual files contain materials from her years as a scholar, consisting almost entirely of correspondences with institutions, as well as some biographical information. Types of materials include letters, memos, newspaper clippings, photographs, some writings, notes, and research materials.

The Charlotte (Cheever) Tucker files contain materials describing her daily life, some family history, and some of her activities with the Alumnae Association and as a trustee of the college. Types of materials include correspondences, journals, genealogy charts, tuition bills, photographs, and writings.

Organization of the Collection:

The Board of Trustees records are organized into four series:

Series I: Meetings and Minutes

Series II: Correspondence

Series II: Committee on Tenure and Promotion

Series IV: Individual Trustee Biographical Files

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