Grace Gibson letter
Scope and Contents
Remarkable letter written by homesick new student, Grace Gibson, home to her parents on September 24, 1898. Addressed from "St. Mary's Prison, Cell Block 12" instead of St. Mary's Female Seminary, Room 12, the letter goes into great detail about the young student's homesickness, her desire to go home and attend "finishing school" instead, and her dissatisfaction with the food. Grace Gibson's roommate, Ella Hodgson, also wrote on the front page of the letter, and, in a 19th Century example of The St. Mary's Way, she directly tells Graces parents that she will take care of her and Grace will be all right, "she just has the blues right now." Grace Gibson graduated from the seminary in 1902 and had a long career as a teacher.
The letter has frequently been used by college students, faculty, and staff during presentations.
Dates
- 1898 September 24
Extent
0.125 Linear Feet (2 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Letter written by homesick new student, Grace Gibson, to her parents on September 24, 1898. The letter has frequently been used by college students, faculty, and staff during presentations.
Physical Description
The letter was conserved by the Maryland State Archives in 2014 because the letter was broken into several pieces and degrading. The paper was treated with a de-acidification solution while Japanese paper was used to repair tears and make the paper sturdy enough to handle. Pages are preserved in non-destructive, removable plastic sleeves.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the St. Mary's College of Maryland Archives Repository
Calvert Hall
St. Mary's College of Maryland
47645 College Dr.
St. Mary's City MD 20686-3001 United States
240-895-4196
archives@smcm.edu