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Bushee papers, 1886-1956.Finding AidEncoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.© 2003
Biographical NoteAlice Huntington Bushee was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on December 3, 1867 to William Aldrich Bushee and Emily Jane Clapp. As a young girl she attended district schools in Brookfield, Vermont and the Graded School and Academy in Morrisville, Vermont. She graduated from Mount Holyoke in 1891. She recieved a Master's Degree in Spanish from Boston University in 1909. She taught at many schools and spent time in Europe before she became a professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1911. She retired in 1936 and lived with her family in Rhode Island. She wrote many books and essays throughout her life. She died on April 28, 1956 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Contents of the CollectionThe Alice Huntington Bushee Papers comprise journals 1886-91, writings 1892-1952, correspondence 1914-56, research material 1909-30, an autograph album 1886-91, biographical material, and photographs. The two journals reflect her reactions to classmates and teachers at Mount Holyoke, her visits to churches and other social and cultural activities during a visit to New York City, and her opinions about men and marriage. The writings consist of various articles and pamphlets, as well as some short books dealing with Spanish literature and the Bible. The research materials contain drafts of her publications. The autograph album has signatures and notes from many of her Mount Holyoke classmates. Return to the Table of Contents Search TermsReturn to the Table of Contents Summary of CorrespondenceAlice Huntington Bushee, the daughter of a minister, entered Mount Holyoke in the Fall of 1886 from Morrisville, in northern Vermont. She spent two years (1886 - 1888) at the Seminary, was apparently at home during 1888 - 1889 (there are no entries for this period) and returned in the Fall of 1889, graduating in 1891. Her father resigned from his church position in the Spring of 1888 and the resulting family turmoil no doubt was the reason for Alice's absence from the Seminary the next year. At first, entries are fairly frequent and very brief but in January of 1887 she writes that she intends now to keep a journal rather than a diary-journal. Entries then become less and less frequent but they are more detailed and include comments and responses to events and people. It is apparent from the journals that she is very bright and her teachers think very highly of her, although it is not until her last year, especially when under Miss Clapp's influence, that she seems to take any pleasure in her work. She chafed under the rules and was absorbed in getting friends, particularly some young men friends, some of whom may have been cousins, to become Christians. A trip to New York visiting relatives (including Grandma) in the Spring of 1891 where she was exposed to the sophistications of the city for the first time must have been a shocking experience for her though she writes only "Shall I morally reflect or not? ... I wish I knew whether I did right in my decisions." One year after Mount Holyoke, Alice went to Spain under the Woman's Board of the ABCFM to teach at the International Institute for Girls. She remained in Spain until 1907. In 1911 she went to Wellesley College where she taught Spanish until she retired in 1936. The journals reveal only sketchy information about life at the Seminary during the years 1886 - 1891; of more interest may be her relationships with people, especially with teachers and young men. Of special note: CR Ludwig February 1993 Return to the Table of Contents |
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