Artha May McConoughey Papers, 1896-1939
(bulk 1908-1929)
John Hay Library, Special Collections
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
email: hay@brown.edu
Published in 2013
Collection Overview
| Title: | Artha May McConoughey Papers |
| Date range: | 1896-1939, (bulk 1908-1929) |
| Creator: | McConoughey, Artha May |
| Extent: | 1 linear foot |
| Abstract: | The Artha May McConoughey Papers consist of travel diaries, temperance speeches, law school assignments, photographs, and personal artifacts. All of the written material is from McConoughey's own hand; most of it was composed during the first quarter of the 20th century when she came of age and became active in the temperance and women's suffragist movements in the Chicago area. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | John Hay Library, Special Collections |
| Collection number: | Ms.2005.2 |
Scope & content
This collection provides glimpses into several periods of Artha McConoughey's life. Her travel diary recounts the daily events of her first extended trip away from her home and family in 1908-1909; it begins with her Atlantic passage and continues through her year's stay in Germany, France and England.The collection of speeches she gave from 1911 to 1913 as a Women’s Christian Temperance Union organizer and activist outlines the major themes of the American Temperance Movement (allied with the women's suffrage movement) of the early 20th century, with special attention to the Loyal Temperance Legion, whose focus was the education of children. McConoughey came from the same hometown—Evanston, Illinois—as Frances Willard, an early WCTU president and one of the driving forces behind its growth from a temperance-related organization into a national advocate for social reforms and women’s rights. At a time when American women did not yet have the right to vote, the collective activism of the WCTU gave them a voice as well as the skills and confidence to use it.
Access Points
Subject Names Subject Organizations- Loyal Temperance Legion
- Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). School of Law
- Woman's Christian Temperance Union
- Young Women's Christian Association
- Race, Ethnicity and Gender
- Temperance--United States--20th century
- Women's suffrage--United States--20th century
Arrangement
The collection consists of six series:
- Series 1. Travel diaries
- Series 2. Speeches and miscellaneous writings
- Series 3. Law School assignments
- Series 4. Artifacts
- Series 5. Photographs
- Series 6. Land deed
Biographical note
Artha May McConoughey was an organizer and lecturer for the Women's Christian Temperance Union in the Chicago area during the early 20th century. She attended Northwestern University Law School during the 1920's.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.. |
| Use of the materials: | Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them. |
| Preferred citation: | Artha May McConoughey Papers, Ms. 2005.2, Brown University Library. |
| Contact information: | John Hay Library, Special Collections Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | The McConoughey Papers were purchased from Michael Brown in January 2005. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Deborah Peterson. |
| Encoding: | This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-03-13 |
Additional Information
| Related material: | RESOURCES AT BROWN UNIVERSITY Alcohol, Temperance & ProhibitionRESOURCES AND WEBSITES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS Women's Christian Temperance UnionNancy Daffner, "Women's Christian Temperance Union" in Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society and The Newberry Library, 2004-2005). |
| Other information: |
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Inventory
Series 1. Travel diaries, 1908-1910
2.0 items
Box 1, Folder 1
Bound, handwritten journal of her 1908/1909 European tour with brother Edward, with loose sheets enclosed. Abridged, handwritten copy of this journal inscribed to her brother Davies on the occasion of his own 1910 trip to Europe.
Series 2. Speeches and miscellaneous writings, 1896-1913
8.0 items
Box 1, Folder 2
6 handwritten temperance speeches (c.1912). 1 typed, mimeographed report "What Our Library Means to You" (n.d.). 1 handwritten juvenile story "Rose Party" (1896).
Series 3. Law school assignments, 1929-1930
13.0 items
Box 1, Folder 3
Handwritten or typed essays and bibliographies for a class at Northwestern University Law School.
Series 4. Artifacts, ca. 1939
Box 1, Folder 4
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 1, Folder 4 | Various artifacts Contents Note: Cloth armbands, lace collar, ribbon-work trim, blue silk sash, 2 hotel luggage stickers, 3 postcards, and 1 steamship menu. |
ca. 1939 |
| Box 1 | Box of pressed flowers 1.0 item Contents Note: Small box of pressed flowers from stops on her European tour, most flowers identified and dated. |
undated |
Series 5. Photographs
50.0 items
Box 1, Folder 5
School and family photographs, most unidentified.
Series 6. Land deed
1.0 item
Box 1, Folder 6
Title to Lot 173 of Robert Oakman's Twelfth St. subdivision of part of 1/4 Sec. 7, 10,000 A.T. (Acre Tract), City of Detroit & Greenfield twp., Wayne Co., Mich. Union Trust Co., Detroit, Mich.