Louise Fontaine Baker interviewed by Lisa Riley, 2005
- Creator:
- Baker, Louise Fontaine, 1907-2011 and Riley, Lisa
- Scope and content:
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Records the reminiscences of Louise Fontaine Baker, who attended Harrisonburg State Teachers College for two years in the early 1930s. Recalls her childhood and family life as the daughter of a US naval officer. Discusses her family history, which includes direct lines to Shenandoah Valley explorer Jost Hite and pioneering oceanographer Matthew Fontaine Maury, for whom JMU's Maury hall was named in 1917. Speaks briefly of student life at the college, including such topics as roommates, dating rules, freshman hazing, and unplanned pregnancies. Mrs. Baker completed her undergraduate studies at the College of William and Mary and pursued her Masters degree at Columbia University. Recalls visiting Europe and attending the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, as well as her impressions of German Chancellor Adolph Hitler and the policies of his government on German education. Closes with brief comments on her teaching career and advice to current students.
Access and use
- Location of collection:
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Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704Carrier LibraryJames Madison University880 Madison DriveHarrisonburg, VA 22807
- Contact for questions and access:
- POC: Tiffany ColeEmail: coletw@jmu.eduPhone: (540) 568-3444Email: library-special@jmu.eduPhone: (540) 568-3612Fax: (540) 568-3405
- Parent restrictions:
- Collection open to research. The audio component of the interviews is not available pending reformatting. 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 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).