Margaret Brooks Burruss interviewed by Chris Bolgiano

Creator:
Burruss, Margaret Brooks, 1923-2011 and Bolgiano, Chris
Scope and content:

Records the reminiscences of Margaret Brooks Burruss, a graduate of the Madison College class of 1945. Describes her decision to enroll at Madison and her first days on campus. Discusses her involvment in the Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) sorority and briefly mentions other Greek letter societies on campus at that time. Mentions her various roommates and the living conditions in a number of dormitories at the college. Compares the dress codes and rules of conduct for students in her class with those of current JMU undergraduates. Speaks briefly of Madison College President Samuel Duke and Professor John McIlwraith. Relates local reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. Discusses the impact of wartime rationing, as well as the absence of young men, on campus life. Describes various social activities at Madison College, such as May Day, the election of Miss Madison, New Girl/Old Girl Weddings, cotillions and other themed dances. Relates her entry into the field of commercial art upon graduation and her engagement and marriage to Robert Burruss. Discusses briefly her ancestors' experiences during the Civil War, mentioning the battles at Chancellorsville and Port Republic specifically, as well as Union general Phil Sheridan. Briefly mentions former and current Carrier Library Deans Dennis Robison and Ralph Alberico.

Other descriptive data:

Recorded at Mrs. Burruss' home in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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:

The audio for SdArch 21-1 is available upon request.

Parent restrictions:
Access to these oral histories is governed by a deed of gift signed by the interviewer and narrator(s). Most of the oral histories are open for use without restriction. Due to incomplete or nonexistent consent agreements and legal releases, access to the Nelson Hoover interview (SdArch 21-3) and Madison Confessional 2004 (SdArch 21-4) is only available for in-person research. With the exception of the Margaret Brooks Burruss interview (SdArch 21-1), the audio component of the interviews is not available pending reformatting. The audio for SdArch 21-1 is available upon request. 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.
Parent terms of access:
The copyright interests for the bulk of the materials in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. Due to incomplete or nonexistent consent agreements and legal releases, the copyright interests for the Nelson Hoover interview (SdArch 21-3) and Madison Confessional 2004 (SdArch 21-4) have not been determined. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Contents