Helen Cushen High School Notebook

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

This item may still have some rights restrictions. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

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Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Helen Cushen High School Notebook, c.1922-1926, Ms2021-030, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Creator:
Cushen, Helen, 1908-1991
Abstract:
This collection contains a notebook from high school, probably from a home economics class. It contains notes, recipes, and information about cooking and likely belonged to Helen Cushen, whose name appears on it in several locations. Although not clearly dated, the item is likely from about 1922-1926.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Helen Cushen High School Notebook, c.1922-1926, Ms2021-030, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This is a class notebook from Washington County High School Student, Helen Cushen, c. 1922 to 1926. The book is divided into three sections for three years of classes: first year, second year, and senior year. The class was most likely a home economics class as many of the entries are on recipes, cleaning, manners, and other domestic science methods. Recipes range from full meals and bake stuff to methods of cooking. Some recipes are: different ways of cooking eggs, frosting recipes, creamed chipped beef, Welsh Rarebit, and other baked goods. While the notebook has a lot of stereotypical home economic notes, there are a lot of entries on the science of food items such as the chemical make up of fruit, the use certain ingredients, and a chart of different cuts of beef on a cow.

Biographical / historical:

Helen Catherine Cushen was born in Washington County, Maryland, on January 18, 1908, to Emmert E. and Clara B. Cushen. She attended Washington County High School likely from 1922 to 1926. At the time of the 1930 census, she was an instructor at a public school, and according to the 1940 census, she completed two years of college. Cushen married Rev. Laurence A. Free on June 17, 1937, in Hagerstown, Maryland, and they had a daughter, Judith Ann Free. She died on April 16, 1991, and is buried alongside her husband in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.

External sources:

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1910-1950

"Miss Cushen will marry Rev. Free", Daily Mail (Hagerstown, Md.), June 17, 1937, p. 6, accessed online from Newspapers.com at https://newscomwc.newspapers.com/image/20739583/?match=1&terms=cushen&pqsid=iLuMqNaXPkm1JP7RLeoUfg%3A206179%3A45705920

"Helen Cushen Free", Findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33764153/helen-free

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated to Special Collections in 2015.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of Helen Cushen High School Notebook was completed in September 2021. Additional description was created in July 2022.