Edith May Fultz Cavendish Photographs
-
Not requestable
Scope and Content
The Edith May Fultz Cavendish Photographs, ca. 1940, include 43 unique black-and-white photographs of Madison College while Cavendish (née Fultz) was a student at the school. Dormitory life and dormitory interiors, campus buildings, snowscapes, general student and social life, and fellow classmate portrait photographs are all captured. A few photographs are interspersed that depict locations other than Madison College.
In addition to the portrait photographs of Madison College students, this collection of photographs includes many candid and lighthearted shots of student life and features Cavendish with her fellow classmates. A grouping of dormitory photographs capture typical student life as it relates to on-campus living. Cavendish and her roommates are shown studying, lying in their beds, and posing in bath towels in their dormitory in Spotswood Hall. Wilson Hall and other buildings on the perimeter of the quad are also featured in these photographs. Photographs of the campus snowscape capture Cavendish with her classmates gallivanting in the snow, posing by a recently built snowman, and throwing snowballs. A last grouping of photographs feature general student life with Cavendish and her classmates. The students are captured posing in groups in front of buildings and other landmarks on campus including the kissing rock. Of interest is a photograph of Cavendish with Mary Gregory on Class Day. They are wearing heart-shaped aprons and hats and are described as Heart Throbs. One particular photograph of Cavendish posing with friends on a tandem bicycle conveys the lighthearted nature of this collection.
Fellow classmates of Cavendish featured in the photographs include but are not limited to Mary Gregory, Anne Howell, Margaret Shelton, Eunice Wall, and Katherine Kackley. She refers to her close group of friends as “The Gang.” A portrait photograph of a man known only as Joe is also included.
Dates
- circa 1940
Creator
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Bio/Historical Note
Edith May Fultz Cavendish was born July 8, 1918 to Marvin P. and Mabel Rees Fultz of Raphine, Virginia. She attended Madison College and graduated in 1940 with a degree in home economics. While a student at Madison College, Cavendish was active in extracurricular activities including the Alpha Literary Society, Rural Life Club, Frances Sale Club, Social Committee, House Committee Senior Hall, and Y. W. C. A. For at least a portion of her time at Madison College, she lived in Spotswood Hall, Room 24. Soon after graduation, Cavendish participated as a princess in the October 1940 Turkey Festival Coronation service held at Madison College. Cavendish married James H. Bryan of Harrisonburg on May 15, 1943. She worked for Harrisonburg Public Schools and Madison College. After Bryan’s passing in January 1972, Cavendish married Richard C. Cavendish. Cavendish died February 17, 2000 and is buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Steele’s Tavern, Virginia.
Extent
0.1 cubic feet (4 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Edith May Fultz Cavendish Photographs, ca. 1940, include 43 unique black-and-white photographs of Madison College while Cavendish (née Fultz) was a student at the school. Dormitory life and dormitory interiors, campus buildings, snowscapes, general student and social life, and fellow classmate portrait photographs are all captured.
Arrangement
The photographs are arranged numerically according to the number present on the back of each photograph.
Provenance
Scott Suter often alerted Special Collections to items of interest at Green Valley Auctions and other local antique dealers. It is likely that he acquired the material from a local auction house or dealer on behalf of Special Collections.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Scott Suter in October 2003.
Bibliography
- Obituary for James H. Bryan, Daily News-Record, January 24, 1972.
- Obituary for Edith Cavendish, Daily News-Record, February 18, 2000.
- “College Students Aid Coronation,” Daily News-Record, October 11, 1940.
- The Schoolma'am, 1940. Harrisonburg (Va.): Madison College.
Processing Information
The photographs were originally housed in a scrapbook and were subsequently removed. Black paper residue from the scrapbook pages is still present on the backs of the photographs. A description is written on the back of each photograph. Presumably, this description accompanied each photograph that was pasted in the scrapbook. A numerical identifier (1-43) is also present on the back of each photograph, likely corresponding to the order in which the photographs were removed from the scrapbook. This order is retained in the collection arrangement.
- Black-and-white photographs
- Education, Higher -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- History
- Harrisonburg (Va.) -- History
- James Madison University -- History
- Madison College -- History
- Madison College -- Alumni and alumnae
- Madison College -- Students
- Madison College -- Students -- Social life and customs
- Madison College -- Buildings
- Universities and colleges -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- History
- Title
- A Guide to the Edith May Fultz Cavendish Photographs, circa 1940
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Tiffany Cole
- Date
- May 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the James Madison University Libraries Special Collections Repository
880 Madison Drive
MSC 1704
Harrisonburg Virginia 22807
(540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu