Maude Wescott Brown Photographs

Collection

Identifier: SC 0307

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Maude Wescott Brown Photographs, 1910-1913, comprise ten photographs and photographic postcards documenting the Haas family of Harrisonburg as well as 1911 commencement activities of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. Brown was a member of this first graduating class.

The photographs include portraits of Judge Talfourd Noon Haas, his wife Margaret Elizabeth "Bettie" Conrad Haas, and their children Hamilton and Elizabeth. Some photographs are unidentified. One photographic postcard dated June 1910 features Elizabeth Haas, Hamilton Haas, and the family's donkey Julius Caesar with the message "Your neighbors three." Addressed to Miss Maude Wescott, Harrisonburg Normal School.

Two identical images of downtown Harrisonburg labeled "Sunday Commencement Sermon, Class of 1911, Entire student body" document part of the 1911 commencement services for the State Normal and Industrial School during which graduates, students, and faculty walked downtown to participate in a commencement sermon at the Presbyterian church on Court Square. W. L. Dechert Insurance and W. A. Meserole & Bro. dry goods store can be seen in the background.

Dates

1910-1913

Creator

Brown, Maude Wescott, 1893-1982 (Person)

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 not 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

Maude Tyson Wescott (1893-1982), of Painter, Virginia, matriculated into the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg as part of the school's first incoming class of students in 1909 and was a member of the school's first graduating class in 1911.

While a student, Wescott was a member of the Lanier Literary Society, YWCA, Athletic Association, Glee Club, Scalpers Basketball Team, and Pinquet Tennis Club. She married Joseph Leo Brown in 1921 and resided on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The Haas family members who are documented in most of the photographs were residents of Harrisonburg while Wescott was a student. Judge T. N. Haas was a graduate of the University of Virginia, a member of the Harrisonburg town council from 1901 to 1906, and presided over the 25th judicial circuit courts (Rockingham and Page Counties). He was also involved in local street expansion and improvement efforts. Haas was married to Margaret Elizabeth "Bettie" Conrad. They had two children together—Hamilton and Elizabeth—in addition to a son, Conrad, from Betty's first marriage. It is unclear the exact relationship between Wescott and the Haases.