Ina Parsons papers
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains correspondence, diaries, photographs, and a scrapbook documenting Parsons' four years at Bates. In addition there is a chemistry textbook used by her brother at Bates. The correspondence folders contain letters from Ina to her classmate and roommate Gracia Prescott. In addition, there are several letters from classmate Edna Hunt that were found in one of the diaries. The diairies begin with her freshman year, and end in January 1897, after she has begun teaching at Claremont, NH. They are a rich and wonderful illustration of the social and academic life at Bates, of activities in Lewiston, and of summers spent at Ina's family farm in New Portland, Maine.
NOTE: Click the red link in the entry for each diary to see a digitized transcript as well as the actual diary.
Dates
- 1892 - 1899
Access restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Biographical Note
Ina Mary Parsons was born in New Portland, Maine, in 1873. At Bates she won the prize for excellence in scholarship her freshman, sophomore, and junior years, was the class valedictorian, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1896. She was an instructor at Claremont High School in New Hampshire from 1896 to 1904, teaching French and Latin. She married her classmate George W. Thomas in 1904, and they moved to New York City. They had three children, all of whom graduated from Bates (Charles '26, Howard '31, and Kathryn '37). Ina's brother William L. Parsons also graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Bates, in 1905, and had a long career as a lawyer in Boston, while also serving as a Trustee for the College from 1939 to 1970. Her father Albert attended Maine State Seminary from 1860 to 1863, and later her cousin William S. Parsons attended Nichols Latin School and graduated from Bates in 1898. She died in 1938 in New York City, age 65, from injuries sustained in a fall.
Extent
1.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Contains correspondence, diaries, photographs, and a scrapbook documenting Parsons' four years at Bates. In addition there is a chemistry textbook used by her brother at Bates.
Organization and Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Acquisition and Custody Information
Gift of Sue Webber, 2015. Accession # 2015.099
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Ina Parsons Collection, 1892-1899
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Edmund S. Muskie Archives and Special Collections Library Repository
70 Campus Avenue
Lewiston Maine 04240 United States of America
207-786-6354
muskie@bates.edu