Agnes Davis Shipley 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 #], Agnes Davis Shipley Papers, 1936, SC 0331, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.2 cubic feet 3 folders
Creator:
Shipley, Agnes Davis (1917-2013)
Abstract:
The Agnes Davis Shipley Papers, 1936, comprise examples of sewing techniques and coursework created by Agnes Davis Shipley during her time as a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg/Madison College.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Agnes Davis Shipley Papers, 1936, SC 0331, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Agnes Davis Shipley Papers, 1936, comprise examples of sewing techniques and coursework created by Agnes Davis Shipley during her time as a student at the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg/Madison College. The coursework was created as part of Home Economics 131: Clothing, a course that provided a thorough drill in the principles of clothing construction on both hand and machine work with special emphasis on the use of the sewing machine and its attachments as well as the selection, alteration, and use of commercial patterns. The course was taught by Lois Pearman, Associate Professor of Home Economics.

A notebook titled "Stitches and Seams" includes sewing examples and notes on various types of stitches and clothing construction techniques. Loose pages include two examples of a convertible collar and a fabric book with sewn-in examples.

Biographical / historical:

Agnes Irene Davis (1917-2013) was born in McGaheysville, Virginia to N. Wilson Davis and Ethel Hensley Davis. Davis graduated from Madison College in 1940 with a degree in home economics. While a student, Davis was a member of the Sesame Club, Choral Club, YWCA, and the Grand-Daughters of Madison College in the 1950s, Davis received a degree in elementary education from Appalachian State Teachers College and was a public school teacher for more than twenty years. Outside of teaching, she was an avid flower gardener and seamstress.

Davis married Robert Gray Shipley Jr. in 1942 with whom she had four children including a daughter who died in infancy. Evan Peter Smith's Here by the Owl (2021) documents the love story between the couple specifically during Robert Gray Shipley's deployment to Ascension Island during World War II.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated by Janie Shipley, daughter of Agnes Davis Shipley, in April 2022.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in two folders.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard