Etta Evans Scrapbook

The Etta Evans Scrapbook, 1935-1936, is comprised of one bound scrapbook containing memorabilia, ephemera, and correspondence from Evans’s time as a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. Evans annotated the scrapbook by describing the items pasted within. The scrapbook is nearly complete with the exception of a few missing items. Adhesive remains and annotations are present for items that became separated from the scrapbook.

In addition to correspondence, the scrapbook includes programs, newspaper clippings, notes, cards, invitations, ticket stubs, matchbooks, and other ephemera. Specific items include a postcard of the Washington Monument, a postcard from South Boston, Virginia, promotional material from Friddle’s Restaurant, Halloween party invitations, church programs, and Camel cigarette packaging.

Evans was careful to describe each item, usually in a quippy tone. For example, of an invitation to attend an education department tea at the Alumnae Hall reception room, Evans wrote, “Another tea! I skipped tho because it always proves boring for me.” Other annotations are purely informational. Of a train ticket, Evans wrote, “Ticket from Richmond to Gordonsville. Sally took me to the terminal. Bob met me a few miles up on the Skyline Drive. Had supper in Elkton. Got on campus at 10:00.”

Evans also kept materials related to dating in her scrapbook. Related materials include correspondence and calling cards from potential suitors. Evans described her relationship, or lack thereof, with Joseph Foote Kinney of Bridgewater College, whose calling card is included – “Wouldn’t go downtown with him because he was too short. Ha! Don’t tell him. Min is taking care of him now.” Another gentleman caller who received a similar discriminating judgement was “Higgins,” a potential suitor who wrote Evans several letters contained within the scrapbook. Evans described him as a runt, crazy, and spoiled.