Irene Munson Rouse Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Irene Munson Rouse Papers, 1947-1948, SC 0298, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.16 cubic feet 2 folders
Creator:
Rouse, Irene Florence Munson, 1928-2017 and Root, Mary Munson Rouse
Abstract:
The Irene Munson Rouse Papers, 1947-1948, comprise printed ephemera and photographs documenting Rouse's time as a student at Madison College.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Irene Munson Rouse Papers, 1947-1948, SC 0298, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Irene Munson Rouse Papers, 1947-1948, comprise printed ephemera and photographs documenting Rouse's time as a student at Madison College. Programs related to the 1947 YWCA Cabinet Retreat, the 1948 Golden Anniversary Banquet of Sigma Sigma Sigma, May Day 1948, and Religious Emphasis Week 1948 are included. A 1947 invitation requests Rouse's attendance at a Big Roundup hosted by Sigma Sigma Sigma. Six black-and-white photographs primarily document Rouse's time as a student at Madison College. Three photographs document a group of students wearing paper "G" crowns. Two photographs depict unidentified men on campus. It is likely they are Madison College day students and/or suitors of female students. One photograph depicts Rouse with an unidentified man.

Biographical / historical:

Irene Florence Munson Rouse (1928-2017) was raised in Arlington, Virginia and graduated from Madison College in 1950 with a B.S. in Education. While a student, she was an active member of the YWCA, German Club, May Court, The Breeze, Sigma Phi Lambda, and Sigma Sigma Sigma. She was also selected to represent Madison College in the annual publication Who's Who Among Students In American Colleges and Universities. Rouse was an English teacher, children's librarian, and later went on to pursue a career as an antiquarian bookseller, successfully running bookshops in Northern Virginia and Virginia's Eastern Shore. Additionally, Rouse was an artist and poet. She hosted a poetry reading series, entitled "Positively Prince Street," in her Alexandria bookshop. Rouse married William Dashiell Rouse with whom she had five children.

Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by Mary Munson Rouse Root, daughter of Irene Munson Rouse, in May 2019.
Processing information:

Per a note from the donor, the items comprising this collection were removed from Rouse's scrapbook which was "ruined by several adversities befalling it."

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into two folders according to item type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard