Daisy Dill Norton papers

Collection

Identifier: MC057

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

The collection is composed of correspondence, photographs, diaries, and scrapbooks that document the personal life and ornithological, horticultural, and cultural interests of Daisy Dill Norton. Norton corresponded with many family and friends about bird sightings, gardening, and Stanton Bird Club activities and business. The collection includes many of these letters, including several with Alfred Williams Anthony who gifted to the Club the initial and most significant tract of land that became the Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary.

The collection also includes photographs of some of Norton's correspondents and other acquaintances, along with images of Thorncrag. Norton's dairies, which span the years 1908 to 1955, provide detailed information about Norton's daily life and activities, particularly those associated with her immense garden at 8 Mountain Avenue and her work with the Stanton Bird Club. The collection also includes some of her scrapbooks that document her interest in literature and theater.

Dates

1893-1958, undated

Creator

Norton, Daisy Dill, 1872-1959 (Person)

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

The collection is the physical property of Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library. Bates College holds literary rights only for material created by College personnel working on official behalf of the College, or for material which was given to the College with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication or other purposes that exceed fair use.

Historical Note

Daisy Dill Norton was born in Lynnfield, Massachusetts on January 6, 1872. Most of her childhood was spent in Phillips, Maine until her family moved to Canada where her father served as the American Consul.

In the late 1890s, after graduating from the Fine Arts Academy of Boston, Norton began working as a member of the Lewiston Evening Journal editorial staff. She later became editor of the Journal Magazine. In 1903, she married Dr. Charles E. Norton. Dr. Norton was a prominent eye, ear, nose and throat doctor who donated his services to Bates College students for a number of years.

Daisy Dill Norton had an extraordinary interest in the outdoors, serving for 40 years as the secretary of the Stanton Bird Club. During her time with the club she was instrumental in forming alliances between the Stanton Bird Club and the National Audubon Societies. She was also known to be diligent in preserving and maintaining habitats for birds in various locations. The Norton home at 8 Mountain Avenue was part of this project and was legendary for its gardens. Norton also spearheaded a project to beautify Bates College, doing extensive gardening projects around campus for which she received a Distinguished Service Award from the College in 1951. Daisy Dill Norton died February 5, 1959 in Lewiston, Maine.

Extent

6 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection contains correspondence, photographs, diaries, and scrapbooks that document the personal life and ornithological, horticultural, and cultural interests of Daisy Dill Norton. Norton was the long-time secretary of the Stanton Bird Club; a close friend of Alfred Williams Anthony, who gifted to the Club the initial and most significant tract of land that became the Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary; and a frequent contributor to the Lewiston Evening Journal newspaper on birding topics. She also spearheaded an effort to beautify the Bates College campus which she lived near.