Lenora Purdy papers
Scope and Contents
The Lenora Purdy papers, circa 1850-1993 and undated (bulk 1919-1941), includes educational records and career papers of Lenora Purdy, geneological research on the Purdy family, Purdy family records, photographs, drawings, and scrapbooks.
The Education series (1919-1952 and undated) contains report cards, diplomas, photographs and works that highlight Lenora's scholastic career as she attended various local schools and colleges, in addition to newspaper articles and other materials about Lenora Purdy as a teacher in Illinois schools.
The Geneological Research series (circa 1850-1990 and undated) contains research and correspondence that Lenora gathered while investigating her family geneology. She gathered numerous newspaper clippings, correspondence and legal documents, among other artifacts.
The Photographs series (circa 1900-1993 and undated) contains photographs of Lenora Purdy's relatives and photographs taken by Lenora throughout her lifetime, including snapshots and professional portraits.
The Scrapbooks series (circa 1929-circa 1940) includes two scrapbooks made by Lenora, one during her time at Augustana College and one documenting her travels with family and friends. While the former mostly consists of photographs, the latter contains postcards and travel artifacts. Also included is a third scrapbook documenting Lenora's life, family, and friends around the 1930s and 1940s.
The Drawings series (c. 1900 and undated) contains drawings and drawing instruction books, including drawing books owned and used by Antoinette Blaser-Purdy that date from the late 1800s.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1850-1993 and undated
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1919-1941
Creator
- Purdy, Lenora A., 1912-1997 (Person)
Language of Materials
English and Swedish
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.
Historical Note
Lenora Purdy was born 16 July 1912, to Edward Purdy, an employee of the Iowa Telephone Company, and his wife, Antoinette Blaser-Purdy. Lenora had one sister, Erma (1913-2002), and they both attended the Davenport public schools. These included Monroe School, West Intermediate School, and Davenport High School. Lenora graduated from high school in 1929. After a few years, she enrolled in Augustana College and eventually obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1936. She obtained her Master's from the University of Iowa in 1941. During this time and beyond, Lenora taught in Illinois's grade school classrooms.
In addition to her studies, Lenora frequently travelled with family and friends. She also devoted herself to investigating her family genealogy. She found multiple resources during this time, including birth and death certificates, newspaper articles, and letters. She also collected a variety of photographs of these relations.
Extent
1.7 Cubic Feet (/ 4 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Abstract
Lenora Purdy was born 16 July 1912, to Edward Purdy, an employee of the Iowa Telephone Company, and his wife, Antoinette Blaser-Purdy. Lenora had one sister, Erma (1913-2002), and they both attended the Davenport public schools. These included Monroe School, West Intermediate School, and Davenport High School. Lenora graduated from high school in 1929. After a few years, she enrolled in Augustana College and eventually obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1936. She obtained her Master's from the University of Iowa in 1941. During this time and beyond, Lenora taught in Illinois's grade school classrooms. The Lenora Purdy papers, circa 1850-1993 and undated (bulk 1919-1941), includes educational records and career papers of Lenora Purdy, geneological research on the Purdy family, Purdy family records, photographs, drawings, and scrapbooks.
Arrangement
Chronological.
Custodial History
Little is known about the provenance of the first part of the manuscript collection, though it was acquired prior to 2000. The second part of the collection was donated by Mark Vincent, who acquired the artifacts through a silent auction of the Lenora Purdy estate, which had been willed to Augustana College. The purchase was made in 2005 after her death a few years prior.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received from Mark Vincent, 2005.
Processing Information
Processed by Natalie D. Markovich, 2011. Revised by Atticus Garrison, May 2016.
Subject
- Purdy family (Family)
- Title
- Lenora Purdy papers, circa 1850-1993 and undated (bulk 1919-1941).
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Atticus Garrison
- Date
- May 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Augustana College Special Collections Repository
639 38th Street
Thomas Tredway Library
Rock Island Illinois 61201 United States
specialcollections@augustana.edu