Thelma Dunn Gregory Scrapbook

Collection

Identifier: SC 0254

Not requestable
Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Thelma Dunn Gregory Scrapbook is comprised of one bound scrapbook containing memorabilia, correspondence and ephemera from Gregory’s time as a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg from 1923-1927. The collection also contains a file of loose photographs from her time as a student, and a file with ephemera, including a plastic spoon, shadowgraph glasses and three issues of the Breeze from 1927. The scrapbook documents Gregory’s involvement in various clubs and societies, including the Stratford Dramatic Club, Lee Literary Society, Alpha Literary Society, the High School Club, and the YWCA. It includes notes exchanged between society members, as well as playbills from dramas, dance recitals and voice recitals.

The scrapbook contains Gregory’s “program card” and enrollment cards, with her course information and schedules during her time as a student. The scrapbook includes a complete schedule of all third quarter classes, printed by The Breeze in 1927.

There is evidence of an active social life, with items from social gatherings at Harrisonburg places of business (“Candyland homemade candies and ice cream” and a soda fountain menu from the Hemp & Walter Druggists), as well as Valentine cards, invitations to dances, poems, drawings, and clippings with fashions of the day. The scrapbook contains many letters written to her while at college, notes from her friends, and diary entries referring to outings with her boyfriend, “Iky.” The scrapbook contains mementos from travel to Niagara Falls, Richmond, Staunton, and Baskerville, Virginia, her home town.

Photographs in the scrapbook document her dramatic roles, and time spent with friends on campus. Many of the loose photographs have names and dates on the back.

The scrapbook is a compiled in a purple bound book with gold script lettering, “Memory Book,” and measures 17” x 12-1/2.” It was published by the College Memory Book Co., of Chicago, Illinois.

Dates

1923-1927

Access Restrictions

Collection 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

Thelma Dunn Gregory, born Thelma C. Dunn, was born in 1906, and prior to her studies at the State Teachers College, resided in Baskerville, Virginia. She matriculated into the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1923 and graduated in 1927. She was active in the arts, and was a member of the Stratford Dramatic Club, Lee Literary Society, Alpha Literary Society, the High School Club, and the YWCA. She appeared to have studied secondary education, and photos establish a connection to McLean High School, in McLean, Virginia, in 1927, possibly the location of her student teaching. She graduated in 1927. Thelma Dunn married Carson Wilber Gregory. She died in 1998.

Extent

0.59 cubic feet (1 flat box, 1 folder.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Thelma Dunn Gregory Scrapbook, 1923-1927, is comprised of one bound scrapbook containing memorabilia, correspondence and ephemera from Gregory’s time as a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. The collection contains an additional file of photographs from her time as a student, and a file of memorabilia.

Arrangement

The scrapbook remains bound, with several loose pages. Items that are no longer adhered to the scrapbook pages are collected into two folders, and are housed with the scrapbook in a flat oversized box.

Provenance

The scrapbook was donated by Courtney Brown Wise. Thelma Dunn Gregory was the aunt of Wise's grandmother. Brown Wise’s grandmother passed away in 2016, and the scrapbook descended through the family until donated to JMU Special Collections in 2017.

Acquisition Information

Items were donated on October 9, 2017 by Courtney Brown Wise.

Bibliography

The Schoolma'am, 1926. Harrisonburg (Va.): State Teachers College.
The Schoolma'am, 1927. Harrisonburg (Va.): State Teachers College.
Find A Grave. “Thelma Dunn Gregory (1906-1998).” Find a Grave Memorial no. 95380233. Accessed December 7, 2017. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95380233/thelma-gregory.