Guide to the Anne S. Kinsolving Brown papers, 1906-1985
Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
Fax: 401-863-2093
E-mail: hay@brown.edu
Published in 2010
Collection Overview
| Title: | Anne S. Kinsolving Brown papers |
| Date range: | 1912-1985 |
| Creator: | Brown, Anne S. Kinsolving, 1906-1985 |
| Extent: | 52 linear feet |
| Abstract: | The Anne S. K. Brown collection contains various correspondence, writings, family papers, financial information, and documentation of Brown’s active social life collected by Brown and her family from 1912 until her death in 1985. |
| Language of materials: | English |
| Repository: | Brown University Library, Special Collections |
| Collection number: | Ms.2007.013 |
Scope & content
The Anne Seddon Kinsolving Brown collection (1906-1985) spans the years from Brown's early education beginning in 1912, through her death in 1985. The collection consists of manuscripts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, financial invoices and reports, bound account ledgers, photographs, awards and certificates, legal papers, writings, and scrapbooks and albums. The volume of the collection spans approximately 52 linear feet.The collection contains records relating to Brown's early and secondary education, as well as materials corresponding to her career as a journalist for The Baltimore News. Also included in the collection are drafts of Brown's writings and unpublished manuscript. A good deal of the collection is made up by the correspondence received from friends and family dating from the early 1930s. There are several files devoted to correspondence between Brown and her husband, John Nicolas Brown II.
Mrs. Brown's "Old Files" were begun by Brown upon setting up her household after returning from her year-long honeymoon with John Nicholas Brown in September 1931. They cover the period from 1931-1950, with some later additions. The heaviest concentration of materials is for the period 1933 through 1943. Changes were made in the mid-1930s, when Brown started new files for old topics, but otherwise the systems remained intact through the immediate post-WWII years. Researchers should note that material from the 1920s were generally those created by John Nicholas Brown II and incorporated by Brown into her household papers. This series contains a variety of records, including correspondence, groups and charities the Brown's were involved with, household information, etc. The "New Files" series appears to date from the immediate post-WWII period through to 1985. Interspersed with the original series of files maintained by Brown and her personal secretary, Ethel Hebb, is a later series of "ASKB" primary activities later in life: speeches and publications, charitable donations, collection of military prints and objects, and involvement in arts organizations such as the Rhode Island Foundation for the Arts in Newport, which sponsored the Newport Music Festival. Merging of the files from 50 South Main Street into Brown's original file series began at some unknown point in time and was completed only through the letter O.
Brown's papers contain a wealth of information on the running of the household, entertaining, and her active social life in and around Providence and Newport, Rhode Island.
Access Points
Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics- Military History
- Upper class women--Political activity
- Upper class--Rhode Island—Newport
- Upper class--Rhode Island--Providence
Arrangement
- Series 1: Education
- Series 2: Writings
- Series 3: Correspondence
- Series 4: Family Life
- Series 5: Collecting
- Series 6: Files
- Series 7: Financial Records
- Series 8: Social Life
- Series 9: Death of ASKB
- Series 10: Miscellaneous Materials
Biographical note
Anne Seddon Kinsolving Brown was born to Reverend Arthur B. Kinsolving and Sally (Bruce) Kinsolving on March 25, 1906 in Brooklyn, NY. At six months of age, she moved with her family to Baltimore, Maryland where her father took the position of rector at Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church.Brown attended the Calvert School in Baltimore from 1912-1918 and the Bryn Mawr School from 1920-1924, where she graduated with honors in English. After a series of social debuts, she landed a position as a journalist with The Baltimore News. One of their star reporters, Brown wrote a variety of articles on topics ranging from celebrities to theater reviews.
Brown led an active social and dating life, eventually meeting “The Million-Dollar Baby” in 1930. After only three dates, Brown married John Nicholas Brown II and moved into the Nightingale-Brown House in Providence, Rhode Island after their year-long European honeymoon. It was in Europe that Brown began to collect military miniatures, and this initial interest blossomed into a passion for military books and collectables that lasted for the remainder of her life.
John Nicholas Brown II died of a heart attack in 1979, and Anne moved into their home in Newport, Rhode Island shortly thereafter, where she remained socially and politically active. Anne died on November 21, 1985 and was survived by her three children, Nicholas, J. Carter, and Angela Bayard.
Access & Use
| Access to the collection: | There are some restrictions on access which can be seen in the inventory. The collection can only be seen by prior appointment as 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: | Anne S. Kinsolving Brown papers, Ms.2007.013, John Hay Library, Brown University Library. |
| Contact information: | Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 Fax: 401-863-2093 E-mail: hay@brown.edu |
Administrative Information
| ABOUT THE COLLECTION | |
| Acquisition: | This collection was donated to the John Hay Library in various accessions between 1982 and 2007 by the Brown Family. |
| Processing information: | This collection was proccessed by multiple people over the course of 20 years. The most recent accessions were processed and the finding aid was written by Jane Polson, intern from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. |
| ABOUT THE FINDING AID | |
| Author: | Finding aid prepared by Jane Polson. |
| Encoding: | Finding aid encoded by Jane Polson 2010 April 27 |
| Descriptive rules: | Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) |
Additional Information
| Related material: |
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Inventory
Series 1. Education
Box 1
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 1 | Early Education: Calvert School, 1912-1918 Contents Note: This box contains materials from Brown's early education at the Calvert School from 1912-1918 |
1912-1918 |
| Box 1 | Secondary Education: Bryn Mawr School, 1920-1924 Contents Note: This box contains materials relating to Brown's secondary education at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, MD between the years 1920 and 1924. It includes compositions by Brown as well as a copy of the school newspaper (1923) and the school yearbooks from the years 1923, 1924 and 1930. |
1920-1924 |
| Box 1 | Other Education Materials Contents Note: Contains Brown's diaries from the years 1918, 1919, 1921, and 1922. Also contains materials relating to Brown's extracurricular activities and her involvement with the Johns Hopkins Orchestra from 1921-1923. |
1918-1923 |
Series 2. Writings
Box 2, 3, 39, 44, 49
Writings/Scrapbooks
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 2 | Baltimore News (Scrapbooks) Contents Note: Scrapbooks of Brown's columns from The Baltimore News |
1925-1930 |
| Box 3 | Scrapbooks (Oversize) Contents Note: Scrapbooks covering Brown's early life and marriage from 1923-1942. Also contains a scrapbook with miscellaneous newspaper clippings |
1923-1924 |
| Box 39 | Writings Contents Note: Miscellaneous writings and speeches |
1922-1959 |
| Box 44 | Scrapbook material - clippings (1904-1985) Contents Note: Miscellaneous newspaper clippings and clippings and ephemera relating to Eisenhower (1952) for scrapbooks |
1904-1985 |
| Box 49 | Writings Contents Note: Contains letters to the editor by Brown, an essay written in the Bulletin of the Newport Historical Society (1961), as well as information on the story Brown wrote on Suzanne Lenglen in 1926 (1979) |
1961-1979 |
Baltimore News
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 4 | Baltimore News (Manuscript materials) Contents Note: Manuscript materials from ASKB's career as a journalist. Contains various columns, reviews, publicity materials, fan mail, notes, etc. |
1928-1929 |
Not in Wild Stars
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 4 | Not in Wild Stars Contents Note: Contains drafts of Brown's unpublished novel, Not in Wild Stars |
1934-1942 |
| Box 51 | Writings Contents Note: Contains mostly TM, typescript drafts of her novel w/ handwritten revisions and some unrelated material |
1960-1970 |
| Box 52 | Writings Contents Note: Contains correspondence regarding her writing Not in Wild Stars and drafts |
Series 3. Correspondence
Box 5, 6, 7, 49
Correspondence Received/Friends
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 5 | Correspondence Received/Friends Contents Note: Contains miscellaneous correspondence received from friends from the years 1924 until Brown's death in 1985 |
1920-1985 |
| Box 6 | Correspondence Received/Friends Contents Note: Contains miscellaneous correspondence received from friends from the years 1924 until Brown's death in 1985 |
1920-1985 |
Correspondence Received/Family
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 6 | Correspondence Received/Family Contents Note: This box contains correspondence received from various family members, including her husband, John Nicholas Brown II. |
1924-1985 |
Correspondence Sent
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 7 | Correspondence Sent/Family Contents Note: Contains correspondence sent to family members between the years 1913 and 1956. |
1913-1956 |
Miscellaneous Correspondence
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 49 | Miscellaneous letters Contents Note: Various letters received from various friends, family members, and acquaintances from the late 1920s through the late 1970s |
1927-1979 |
Series 4. Family Life
Box 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 39, 46, 49, 50
Engagement and Wedding
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 7 | ASKB Engagement and Wedding Contents Note: Contains materials relating to ASKB's engagement and wedding including congratulatory correspondence, newspaper clippings, and wedding reception guest lists |
1930 |
| Box 8 | ASKB engagement and wedding scrapbooks Contents Note: ASKB engagement and wedding scrapbook, misc. scrapbooks (2) |
1930 |
| Box 39 | Wedding Contents Note: Contains information on wedding guests and wedding presents received |
1930 |
Brown Children
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 9 | RESTRICTED - Nicholas Brown Contents Note: Materials relating to Nicholas Brown between the years 1959 and 1986 |
1957-1986 |
| Box 10 | RESTRICTED - Nicholas Brown Contents Note: Materials relating to Nicholas Brown between the years 1932 and 1958. Contains miscellaneous correspondence, as well as items relating to the Groton School, Naval Academy, Arizona Desert School |
1932-1957 |
| Box 11 | RESTRICTED - Nicholas Brown and Family Contents Note: Materials relating to Diane Vernes Brown and Nicholas Brown, Sylvia Brown |
1978-1985 |
| Box 12 | RESTRICTED - Wedding of Nicholas Brown and Diane Vernes Contents Note: Albums/photos of the wedding of Diane Vernes Brown and Nicholas Brown and the wedding speeches, letters, lists, family trees, invitations, and announcements of the event |
1957 |
| Box 49 | Miscellaneous family materials Contents Note: Travel plans and itineraries and information on the two boats owned by the Browns |
1937-1968 |
| Box 13 | RESTRICTED - J. Carter Brown Contents Note: Contains information relating to J. Carter Brown including materials from his education at Stowe School, Groton School, and Harvard |
1934-1960 |
| Box 14 | RESTRICTED - J. Carter Brown Contents Note: Contains information relating to J. Carter Brown including correspondence and newspaper clippings |
1961-1985 |
| Box 15 | RESTRICTED - J. Carter Brown - National Gallery of Art Contents Note: Contains various clippings and correspondence pertaining to J. Carter Brown and his involvement with the National Gallery of Art |
1967-1985 |
| Box 16 | RESTRICTED - Angela Bayard Brown (Fisher) Contents Note: Contains miscellaneous correspondence, clippings, and wedding information pertaining to Angela Bayard Brown Fisher |
1952-1985 |
| Box 17 | RESTRICTED - Angela Bayard Brown (Fisher) Contents Note: Contains records from Angela's education as well as documents pertaining to members of the Fisher family |
1938-1951 |
| Box 18 | RESTRICTED - Angela Bayard Brown (Fisher) - Debut Ball Contents Note: Contains acceptance and decline correspondence from the invited guests to Angela's Debut Ball in 1956. Also contains guest lists and post-event correspondence and thank-you cards |
1956 |
| Box 19 | RESTRICTED -Angela Bayard Brown (Fisher) - Wedding Contents Note: Contains acceptance and decline correspondence from the invited guests to Angela's wedding in 1963. Also contains guest lists |
1963 |
Kinsolving Family
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 20 | Kinsolving Family - General Files Contents Note: General files on the Kinsolving family and Brown's siblings. Contains genealogy information, correspondence, obituaries, sermons, etc. |
1929-1985 |
| Box 21 | Rev. Arthur Barksdale Kinsolving and Sally Bruce Kinsolving Contents Note: Information on Brown's parents, including letters of condolence and obituary for Brown's mother, Sally Bruce Kinsolving |
1939-1985 |
| Box 46 | Drawing - "Lexington Street" Contents Note: Large pencil drawing entitled "Lexington Street" by Sally Kinsolving (then age 14); drawn from Anne as a birthday present and dated 1920 or 1926 |
1920-1926 |
| Box 46 | Poster - "Desiderata" Contents Note: Parchment poster "Desiderata" from St. Paul's Church (Rev. Arthur Barksdale Kinsolving) |
| Box 50 | Colonial Dames of America - Mary Bruce Kinsolving Contents Note: Kinsolving Family Tree - application to the Colonial Dames of America |
Series 5. Collecting
Box 14, 49
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 14 | Collecting Contents Note: This series contains materials relating to Brown's study of military history and her collection of military lead soldiers. Also includes books of genealogical interest, military books, and information on collecting silver and wine and spirits |
| Box 49 | Collecting Contents Note: Military slides, notes on Brown's collection and storage, and a copy of Military Collector & Historian (vol. 51, No. 1, Spring 1999) in which Brown is profiled as a founder of the Company |
1958-1999 |
Series 6. Files
Box 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
Old Files
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 22 | Old Files A-F Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1931-1950 |
| Box 23 | Old Files G-Z Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1931-1950 |
New Files
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 24 | New Files A-E Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 25 | New Files E-H Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 26 | New Files I-M Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 27 | New Files M-O Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 28 | New Files P-W Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 29 | New Files P-R (From 50 S. Main St) Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
| Box 30 | New Files R-Y Contents Note: Miscellaneous correspondence, information on various organizations and charities, events, financial records, schools, family members, friends, etc. |
1945-1985 |
Series 7. Financial Records
Box 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 49
Household Management
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 31 | Household Management Contents Note: Contains information regarding Brown's household accounts, checkbooks, cancelled checks, expense ledgers, secretarial accounts from RI Hospital National Bank and Providence National Bank. |
1934-1962 |
| Box 32 | Household Management Contents Note: Contains information regarding employee payroll as well as information and forms for Federal taxes and taxes for Florida and Rhode Island. Also contains many bound payroll expense ledgers and general payroll books. |
1930-1985 |
| Box 33 | Household Management Contents Note: Contains information relating to various charitable contributions, chauffer's expenses, and other miscellaneous household expenses. |
1980-1985 |
| Box 34 | Household Management Contents Note: Large household ledgers from 1948-1959. |
1948-1959 |
| Box 35 | Household Management Contents Note: Large household ledgers from 1959-1967 |
1959-1967 |
| Box 36 | Household Management Contents Note: Large household ledgers from 1968-1978 |
1968-1978 |
| Box 37 | Household Management Contents Note: Large household ledgers from 1978-1986. |
1978-1986 |
| Box 39 | Household Management Contents Note: Contains personal and household account information from 1976-1981 as well as Brown's index of her husband's office contacts, the Brown family and employees from 50 South Main Street. Also contains contact information of friends, social contacts, and service personnel. |
1933-1965 |
Investments/Accounts
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 49 | Art Insurance and Miscellaneous Invoices Contents Note: Miscellaneous invoices pertaining to household expenses and art insurance information |
1975-1984 |
| Box 40 | RESTRICTED - Early Investments Contents Note: Various documents pertaining to Brown family stocks, trusts, statements, etc. |
1935-1985 |
| Box 49 | Financial Records Contents Note: Contains Brown's personal account ledgers/balances, stock notes |
1935-1938 |
| Box 49 | RESTRICTED Trust and Estate Financial Information Contents Note: Information pertaining to the trust and estate of Brown. Also includes information on widow benefits as well as the estate of her husband, John Nicholas Brown II |
1978-1987 |
| Box 49 | Finances Contents Note: Miscellaneous bank correspondence, statements, etc. |
1966-1986 |
Series 8. Social Life
Box 38, 40, 41, 42, 48
Calendars/Address Books
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 40 | Address Books (1947-1985) Contents Note: Calendars by week and month from 1947 until 1985 |
1947-1985 |
| Box 48 | Address Books Contents Note: Address books |
Christmas Cards
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 40 | Christmas Cards Contents Note: Contains Christmas cards received by Brown in binders, from 1946 through 1977 |
1946-1977 |
| Box 41 | Christmas Cards Contents Note: Contains loose Christmas cards received by Brown from 1959-1977 |
1959-1977 |
| Box 42 | Christmas Cards Contents Note: This box contains loose and miscellaneous Christmas cards received, Christmas lists, packets of photo Christmas cards sent by the Browns, loose cards showing St. Paul's rectory (childhood home of ASKB) and miscellaneous Christmas Party invitations |
1913-1983 |
| Box 47 | Christmas Cards - Brown Family Album Contents Note: Contains an orange burlap album entitled "Merry Christmas from John and Anne Brown" and contains the Brown family Christmas cards from 1934 through 1981 |
1934-1981 |
Entertaining
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 38 | Harbour Court (Newport) Contents Note: Contains menus from the cook and guest books |
1906-1986 |
| Box 39 | 357 Benefit Street (Providence) Contents Note: Dinner party records and guest registers |
1924-1985 |
| Box 48 | Stationery Contents Note: Contains various stationery designs used over the years by the Brown family. Includes standard stationery from their various households, dinner invitations, calling cards, accept/regret cards, and reminder cards. Also available in this box are the plates and dies used in the manufacturing of the Brown family stationery. |
Miscellaneous/News Clippings
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 48 | Social events and clippings Contents Note: Contains many newspaper clippings relating to Brown dating back to the 1930s. This box also contains an article from The Washington Guide about Brown. |
1930-1985 |
Series 9. Death of ASKB
Box 43, 46, 48
Funeral and Obituaries
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 43 | Funeral and Obituaries Contents Note: Contains obituaries from various newspapers, telegrams, funeral arrangements, memorials and tributes, etc. |
1985 |
| Box 48 | Death of Anne Brown Contents Note: Contains newspaper clippings on her death, information regarding the will of Anne Brown. |
1985 |
Condolences
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 43 | Condolences Contents Note: Personal and general condolences extended to the family from individuals and organizations. |
1985 |
| Box 46 | Resolution Contents Note: Resolution of the Rhode Island Senate of the death of Anne Brown, 1985 (certificate). |
1985 |
| Box 48 | Condolences Contents Note: Condolences from friends and acquaintances of the Browns |
1985 |
Series 10. Miscellaneous
Box 45, 46, 49
| Container | Description | Date |
| Box 45 | Awards and Honors Contents Note: Contains Brown's certificates of award/honor from the State of Rhode Island Island Bicentennial Commission, American Association for State and Local History, Rhode Island State Senate, Civil War Centennial Committee of Richmond Virginia, Phi Alpha Theta, the Company of Military Historians, as well as memorabilia from the Inauguration of Ronald Reagan. |
1956-1981 |
| Box 46 | Photograph of seagull Contents Note: Photograph of seagull, inscribed to the Browns by Leopold Fiegenbein June 12, 1935. |
1935 |
| Box 49 | Biographical file Contents Note: Contains some basic biographical information on Brown, as well as a photograph. |
| Box 49 | Miscellaneous materials Contents Note: This series contains various news clippings relating to the Browns, notes on the dismantling of Harbour Court, information on the wall paper restoration at the John Brown House, a set of blank postcards of Mount Vernon, and newspaper clippings following the Claus Von Bulow trial and Brown's involvement with said trial. |
1918-1985 |