Guide to the Edna W. Lawrence papers , 1934-1973
Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Fleet Library at RISD
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
Fax: 401-709-5932
email: risdarchives@risd.edu
Published in 2009
Collection Overview
Title: |
Edna W. Lawrence papers |
Date range: |
1934-1973 |
Creator: |
Lawrence, Edna W. |
Extent: |
2 linear feet
|
Abstract: |
The records document Edna W. Lawrence’s development of
the Nature Lab, 1937-1971, and students' work in her drawing and painting classes,
1934-1973. |
Language of materials: |
English |
Repository: |
Rhode Island School of Design Archives
|
Collection number: |
10.02.1 |
Scope & content
The Grade Books list students by course, their grades, and may include comments
on their work, assignment lists, her class schedules, memos, or
correspondence.
The Nature Lab Logs document specimen accessions, exhibits, loans, gifts and
Lawrence's interactions with staff and student aides. The exhibit entries may
include a brief description providing the type and number of objects, location
of installation, and source of objects. There are very few comments on students
or classes. A rare summer session may be covered by a one-page narrative. The
last ten years are covered mostly by monthly entries.
The Reports describe the origins of the Lab, exhibits, accessions, finances,
activities, and assistance provided by staff and students. The bulk of the
reports cover the first ten years of the Lab. There is one report after 1950. In
addition, Lawrence's handwritten reports to the Post-War Planning Committee,
1944-1945, are included. See the Royal Bailey Farnum Subject files.
Two hand drawn color maps of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean (42 x 56 cm.)
document her summer voyages, presumably taken during the 1930s. One folder
contains Christmas cards designed by Lawrence and sent to RISD Professor C.
Warren Luther, circa 1960s-1970s.
Access Points
Subject Names
Subject Organizations
Subject Topics
Subject Topics
Document Types
Occupations
Arrangement
The papers are arranged in five series:
- I. Grade Books, 1934-1973
- II. Nature Lab Logs, 1938-1964
- III. Reports, 1937-1971, bulk 1937-1950
- IV. Travel maps, undated
- V. Christmas cards, circa 1960s-1970s
Biographical note
Edna W. Lawrence, born on Staten Island, NY, graduated from North Kingston (RI) High
School, 1916, and Rhode Island School of Design, 1920, Department of Freehand
Drawing and Painting, and the NY Art Students League. She joined the RISD staff as a
Drawing Instructor in 1922. Lawrence created, organized and operated the Nature Lab,
1937-1975, in the Waterman St. Building, where she taught Freshman Foundation Nature
Drawing. Lawrence traveled extensively across North America and took lengthy summer
steamer cruises drawing and collecting specimens for the Nature Lab. Professor
Emerita of Drawing, she received the RISD Alumni Association Medal, 1968, and the
Providence Art Club Medal, 1975.
Access & Use
Access to the collection: |
The Grade Books, 1934-1973, are closed for 75 years from date of creation. Please
consult the Archives staff for further details. |
Use of the materials: |
Permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from archival materials must be
obtained in writing from the Archives. The researcher assumes full
responsibility for use of material and for conformity to all applicable laws,
including copyright. |
Preferred citation: |
Edna W. Lawrence papers, Rhode Island School of Design Archives. |
Contact information: |
Rhode Island School of Design Archives Fleet Library at RISD 2 College Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-709-5922 Fax: 401-709-5932 email: risdarchives@risd.edu
|
Administrative Information
ABOUT THE COLLECTION |
Acquisition: |
The Edna W. Lawrence papers were received from the Fleet Library at RISD. RISD
Professor C. Warren Luther donated the Christmas cards. |
Accruals: |
There are no further materials expected for this collection. |
|
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ABOUT THE FINDING AID |
Author: |
Finding aid prepared by Douglas Doe. |
Encoding: |
Finding aid encoded by Jessica Bitely 2009 February
06 |
Revisions: |
2016 February 22
Revised by Douglas Doe
|
Descriptive rules: |
Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard
(DACS) |
Additional Information
Related material: |
Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab records, 1996-2005 |
Inventory
Series I. Grade Books
Box 1, Folder 1 |
|
Grade Books
|
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1934-1936 |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Grade Books
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1936-1938 |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
|
Grade Books
|
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1938-1940 |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
|
Grade Books
|
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1940-1941 |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
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Grade Books
|
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1941-1942 |
Box 1, Folder 6 |
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Grade Books
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1942-1943 |
Box 2, Folder 1 |
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Grade Books
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1943-1945 |
Box 2, Folder 2 |
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Grade Books
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1945-1946 |
Box 2, Folder 3 |
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Grade Books
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1946-1948 |
Box 2, Folder 4 |
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Grade Books
|
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1948-1950 |
Box 2, Folder 5 |
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Grade Books
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1950-1952 |
Box 2, Folder 6 |
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Grade Books
|
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1952-1954 |
Box 3, Folder 1 |
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Grade Books
|
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1954-1956 |
Box 3, Folder 2 |
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Grade Books
|
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1956-1958 |
Box 3, Folder 3 |
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Grade Books
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1958-1960 |
Box 3, Folder 4 |
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Grade Books
|
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1960-1962 |
Box 3, Folder 5 |
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Grade Books
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1962-1963 |
Box 3, Folder 6 |
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Grade Books
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1963-1964 |
Box 4, Folder 1 |
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Grade Books
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1964-1965 |
Box 4, Folder 2 |
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Grade Books
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1965-1966 |
Box 4, Folder 3 |
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Grade Books
|
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1966-1967 |
Box 4, Folder 4 |
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Grade Books
|
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1967-1968 |
Box 4, Folder 5 |
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Grade Books
|
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1968-1969 |
Box 4, Folder 6 |
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Grade Books
|
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1969-1970 |
Box 5, Folder 1 |
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Grade Books
|
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1970-1971 |
Box 5, Folder 2 |
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Grade Books
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1971-1972 |
Box 5, Folder 3 |
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Grade Books
|
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1972-1973 |
Series II. Nature Lab Logs
Box 5, Folder 4 |
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Nature Log Books
|
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1938-1943 |
Box 5, Folder 5 |
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Nature Log Books
|
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1943-1950 |
Box 5, Folder 6 |
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Nature Log Books
|
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1950-1956 |
Box 5, Folder 7 |
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Nature Log Books
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1956-1964 |
Series III. Reports
Box 5, Folder 8 |
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Reports
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1937-1948 |
Box 5, Folder 9 |
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Reports
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1937-1938 |
Box 5, Folder 10 |
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Reports
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1938-1939 |
Box 5, Folder 11 |
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Reports
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1939-1940 |
Box 5, Folder 12 |
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Reports
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1940-1941 |
Box 5, Folder 13 |
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Reports
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1941-1942 |
Box 5, Folder 14 |
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Reports
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1942-1943 |
Box 5, Folder 15 |
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Reports
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1944-1945 |
Box 5, Folder 16 |
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Reports: Post-War Planning
|
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1944-1945 |
Box 5, Folder 17 |
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Reports
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1948-1949 |
Box 5, Folder 18 |
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Reports
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1949-1950 |
Box 5, Folder 19 |
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Reports
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1971 |
Series V. Christmas cards
Box 5, Folder 20 |
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Christmas cards
|
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circa 1960s-1970s |