Guide to the Arthur B. and Martha B. Lisle papers, 1921-1967

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 2012

Collection Overview

Title:	Arthur B. and Martha B. Lisle papers
Date range:	1921-1967
Creator:	Lisle, Martha, 1876-1961
Extent:	4.5 linear feet
Abstract:	This is a collection of check stub books and papers pertaining to Arthur B. Lisle and Martha B. Lisle. The bank books pertain to the upkeep of the estate, the White Swan. Papers include Mr. Lisle’s correspondence as a trust fund lawyer to Ms. Dorothy Sollers Fraser, bills, and rent collection pertaining to the Lisle house. The Lisle house was bequeathed to RISD in 1967, after the death of Mrs. Martha B. Lisle and was sold by RISD in 1992.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Collection number:	sp3.0

Scope & content

The collection consists of 54 check stub books of the Lisle Estate dating from 1926-1967. There are also folders that include papers of correspondence between Arthur B. Lisle and Charles P. Lukens, who both managed a trust fund from the estate of Mrs. Carolyn S. Fahnestock for Ms. Dorothy Sollers Fraser and newspaper clippings of this event. Other folders contain bills, correspondence, blueprints, and rent collection pertaining to the White Swan. There is also a signed and sealed paper that pertains to the removal of Martha B. Lisle’s kin from a cemetery to the New Rockland Cemetary.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island/Local Interest

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

• Series I: Check Stub Books
• Series II: Records

Historical note

The Lisle property (4365 Post Road, Warwick) also known as the White Swan residence was bequeathed to RISD in 1967, after the death of Martha B. Lisle. The estate, built in the 1880s, as well as the contents of the house, was given to RISD, including the Goddard Secretary. There were 2,269 items bequeathed to RISD with 153 items placed in the RISD museum. The will also stated that the White Swan must remain as a museum, run by RISD. The Arthur and Martha Lisle Fund, a $500,000 trust fund, was also bequeathed for maintenance of the estate. RISD gained the title of the house in 1969. The estate was used by RISD in the 1980s for classes. The estate is no longer the property of RISD, as the estate was allowed to be sold in 1992.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	The use of certain documents and collections may be restricted. 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:	Arthur B. and Martha B. Lisle 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
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Rachael Juskuv.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Rachael Juskuv 2012 March 29
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

---