Lucy A. Morse Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MC-011

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Lucy A. Morse donated this collection to Wheaton College in 1942 in memory of her mother who graduated from Wheaton in 1850. The collection began with Lucy Morse’s gift to Wheaton College of shoes and scrapbooks, but since then others have added to her initial donation. Individuals including Emily Hartwell, Amy White Howland, Mrs. Holcombe Austin, Marjorie G. Jones, Mrs. Margi Gayle, Mrs. Phillips Boggs, Kate Upson Clark, and Laura Povey have donated shoes to the SHOE series and the cards, bookmarks, and postcards were purchased by Zephorene Stickney in 1998 and 2000 from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.

This collection has transformed into less a compellation of Morse’s donations and more a compellation of accumulated shoes and information about fashion. The collection also lacks background information of Lucy Morse’s initial gift as well as biographical information on her and her life.

This collection is made up of four series: SHOE INFORMATION, SCRAPBOOKS, COSTUMES, and SHOES.

Dates

Creation: 1770-2004
Creation: Majority of material found within 1800-1900

Access Restrictions

No restrictions. Open for research.

Copyright

Copyright is retained by the authors, or their descendants, of items in these papers as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Extent

5288 Cubic Feet (4 archival boxes 30 object boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection was donated by Lucy A. Morse in 1942 in memory of her mother, Lydia Brownell Smith Morse class of 1850. The collection has a large number of shoes from all over the world including China, Malta, Argentina, France, and the US among others. The collection also includes general information about shoes as well as a photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Thumb. A pair of Mrs. Tom Thumb's shoes, bought at auction after her death, is part of the shoe collection. This collection also includes unbound scrapbooks filled with images from all over the world including Italy, Greece, and England among others. These images are mostly of cityscapes, architecture, and works of art. Some oddities include a series of cards, bookmarks, and postcards that depict costumes and shoes that was purchased and added later.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Lucy A. Morse donated this collection to Wheaton College in 1942 in memory of her mother, Lydia Brownell Smith Morse class of 1850. Additions to the collection were made by Zephorene Stickney from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England in 1998 and 2000. Additions have been made to the COSTUMES series.